Aine O’Conor was on maternity leave when she realised she needed to make major changes to her lifestyle. The 30-year-old, from Stockport, had not long given birth to her first child Grace when she made the decision to lose weight.
A trained beauty therapist, Aine always felt judged for her appearance and believed her size held her back. Snacking, housework, commuting into Manchester every day and many sleepless nights all contributed to Aine's weight creeping up to over 16 stone.
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But with nine months off work, she decided to use the time to finally get herself back into shape, signing up to Slimming World Reddish in April 2022. In just seven months, Aine lost an incredible six stone – going from a dress size 20 to a 10.
Aine mostly puts her success down to setting aside time every day to walk, 10,000 steps, slowly incorporating it into her daily routine. “I knew my weight was holding me back and stopping me from being the confident version of me,” she said. “Working as a beauty therapist and managing two salons, I was feeling that others may make assumptions of me, my size and judging my ability on my weight.
“This is something that made me judge my confidence even more I am aware how important image is in the job that I love to do, however, this wasn’t my sole reason for wanting to lose weight. I realised how little energy I had and really wanted to feel like the fabulous me again.”
Aine had previously tried Slimming World and felt awkward about returning. However, the mum-of-one said she felt “instantly at ease” on going back and was talked through setting her goals in order to achieve her target weight.
“I think it didn’t work because I wasn’t in the right headspace and was doing it for the wrong reasons,” she said. “I was purely doing it for my appearance. Which although there was nothing wrong with that, when I didn’t achieve fast results I just switched to a fad diet.
“This time, it was more for health as well as appearance but I wanted to be able to enjoy life a bit more and move more freely especially after welcoming Grace knowing I’d soon have a toddler to keep up with.”
“Bev the consultant not only made me feel welcome but my gorgeous baby girl Grace too as I had taken her along with me. I felt instantly at ease, the members too were amazing.
“Bev explained the group would be essential in supporting me to get to my chosen target weight and this is where the support would be to help me set my own goals, working on weekly behaviour changes and the psychological element.”
Aine explained she is still able to eat out once a week and enjoys a few glasses of wine on a Saturday night, never feeling as though she has to deprive herself. Along with her 10k steps a day and following fitness videos, she is still able to eat her favourite foods including curry and pasta.
Now five dress sizes smaller and able to buy clothes she loves from shops of her choice, Aine says she now feels and looks more fabulous than ever.
“I am well on my way to reaching my personal chosen target weight loss of six stone,” she added. “Bev and the members have been brilliant - I am so looking forward to 2023.”
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