Last New Year’s Eve, Frances O’Keeve made a resolution that in 2024 she would get herself fitter and healthier.
The 72-year-old grandma, who is originally from Bangor but lives part time in Ballymena, felt that life is too short and she wanted to live the best life she possibly could.
So Frances decided she was going to bite the bullet and in January 2024 she joined her local Slimming World group.
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She recalled: “I was nervous to see my weight but I also knew that I had a determination to lose it and although it was hard to see I was ready to make the changes. I stayed in group and still remember that first morning and as I listened to everyone's week, as they talked about their food and what was tasty.
“I got so many ideas and I also set myself to thinking about the 'not so good' foods. I learned helpful tips on simple ways to make swaps and still have treats but still have weight loss and feel better!
“I learned so many tips that I would never have known about because they aren't in the books but from real life members that are following the plan and my own top tip is to use the Slimming World app and also the planner. It keeps me right on track with my everyday eating and is so easy to use once you get used to it.
“Not only have I changed how I cook and now make really tasty meals like turkey mince chilli or a simple desert of protein yoghurt and blueberries as a snack, which means I’m not feeling deprived of anything. To add to this I've also made new friends, have a great laugh and learn more and more about the slimming lifestyle.”
Frances freely admits that her weight loss journey has been slow but steady: “This is real life for me. I have had my share of disappointing weeks but I have stuck with it with the help from my consultant and my fellow members. Each half pound a week built up and I have now lost just over 2st. I got to my target in nine months on 7th September 2024.
"I feel so much healthier and fitter. I got my daughter to buy me a Fitbit for Christmas and I am doing 10,000 plus steps each day, before this would have been a chore. I really enjoy spending time doing physical activities with my eight grandchildren, who are aged from 7 to 23. I am much more confident than I was and I intend to do so much more with my life.
“I would not be where I am in my weight loss journey, were it not for my amazing Slimming World group. I don’t ever intend to go back to my old habits so I know I will be part of this amazing group for a long time to come. My best advice for anyone at home reading this and thinking they want to do something themselves is simply, join.”
To find your nearest group just log on to www.slimmingworld.co.uk.
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