A Co Antrim grandmother says she is rediscovering who she is after shedding four stone in less than a year.
As a mum, Jacqueline French, 54, from Randalstown had spent years putting everyone else first and making sure everything and everyone had their needs met.
But when her kids had grown up and moved out, she had no idea who she was or what interests she had.
Read more: NI mum on how overcoming her fitness fears helped her to shed over seven stone
"I have a health condition that meant I spent time shielding during lockdown, and when it came to going back to work, none of my clothes fit me," Jacqueline explained.
"At this point I started thinking I would need to lose some weight, but didn’t actually do anything about it. It was like I wasn’t prepared to confront it.
"I started to notice I didn’t really have many photos of myself, as I didn’t want to see what I looked like."
A few more months went by, and still Jacqueline did nothing until she saw a video of herself from her son’s wedding.
"Let me tell you, it stopped me in my tracks. I was horrified that I had allowed myself to let things get so bad. I knew I had to do something," she added.
"I saw a poster for Slimming World in my local shop and decided to give the consultant a call and join up the next week. I had been a member before and knew it worked. I had to start somewhere.
"I wanted to be able to look at a photo of myself without being embarrassed. I also needed to do it for health reasons. And I had another grandchild on the way so I wanted to be able to play with my grandchildren.
"Even the thought of getting down on the floor to play, took my breath away. I had the motivation and knew that I could do it with the help of my local Slimming World group."
"I started going every week and applied the things I was learning to my life. I knew some of the members in the group to start with and they soon became my SW family!" Jacqueline added.
"This time was different, I discovered I wanted to do this for me. I wanted to enjoy life and now I have the time to be able to look after myself. My husband and my family support me 100%. Support from family is so important."
Jacqueline now attends an exercise class four times a week, walks her mum’s dog and is feeling so excited about an upcoming holiday.
"We are heading away to a waterpark with slides with my grandchildren and I am going to enjoy myself so much being able to join them on the rides!" she added.
"In less than one year I have transformed my life, my mindset and my body! I am rediscovering who I am!” what power those words carry!"
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