Name: Lisa Fox

From: Ennis, Co Clare

Height: 5” 6’

Was: 13st 1lb

Now: 9st 9lbs

Lost: 3st 6lbs

Class: Ennis

Leader: Kathleen Shannon

“My weight had been creeping up for a while and then after I gave birth to my daughter, Emily, it went up a bit more. She’s four now, so it had been bothering me for a while. At one point I got up to 15 stone. I had tried Weight Watchers a couple of times but it just didn’t work for me at that time.

“Then, in April 2014, I knew that I would be going to a hen party the following August. All the girls that were going were slim and gorgeous and I didn’t want to be the only one there who stood out, so that was the kick up the behind that I needed to finally do something.

“This time around it was different because I followed the “Filling & Healthy” plan and I found it so much easier. I had a list of food I could eat from and that was that. My problem was that I’m in the car a lot with work and I’m travelling around a good bit, so I was always eating on the go from deli bars and drive thru places – I was pretty much a fast food fanatic.

“So, I started to make more careful choices where I could – like salads or plain chicken – and if I got hungry while I was out and about, I snacked on fruit. It was hard for the first week or so, but once I got into the right mindset it was actually really easy – it just became a way of life for me to the point where I didn’t even have to think about it.

“Gradually the weight went down and the more I lost, the more compliments I got and so the more motivated I was to keep going.

“My leader, Kathleen, was absolutely brilliant. She was always there whenever I needed her; she really motivated me to keep going. I went to every class, no matter whether I had a good or a bad week, and I think that’s really important. When you have a bad week, you need your class even more because you hear amazing stories there and pick up some great tips, all of which give you the encouragement you need to help get you back on track.

“Around about the same time I started Weight Watchers, I also joined a running club – so the two things became part of my journey to better health.

“At the beginning I was always last, but after attending two to three times per week, by August I had managed my first 10k run. At that stage it was also time for the hen party – and I had two stone gone! By December 2014 I reached my goal and I’ve been maintaining my weight for over a year now.

“Of course, there have been a few bumps in the road but that’s life. I’m delighted to be where I am now. I have much more confidence in myself and so much more energy. I was a good size 16 and now I’m an 8/10, so being able to walk into any shop I want and not have to worry about finding something to fit is an amazing feeling. My whole lifestyle has changed. It’s just become part of who I am and I don’t even have to think about it anymore and that feels wonderful.”

Lisa’s tips for success

  • • Go to class each week and stay, even if you feel you’ve had a bad week – that’s when you need it most.
  • • My leader, Kathleen, was a huge support to me. She was always there when I needed her. Make sure you link in with your leader whenever you can to keep you on track.
  • Lisa’s food changes

    Lisa was a self-confessed fast food fanatic and was always eating on the go. Opting to follow the “Filling & Healthy” plan, she found that with a bit of planning and common sense, it was easy to have a healthy, delicious and filling meal.

    “For breakfast, I’d usually have a good bowl of porridge and maybe some fruit, and then lunch would be something like a ham salad or a chicken skewer. I’m not the best cook but it was really easy just to whip up a delicious stir fry with some brown rice, and that really filled me up. Once I got into the rhythm of things, it became second nature – it’s more a way of life than a diet. ”

    Find your local class www.weightwatchers.ie call 1850-234-123/01-870-3900