Samantha loses over 6 stone in Kilcullen Slimming World group

Samantha Summers has lost a life-changing 6 stone 4.5lbs to be named the 'Biggest Loser' at a Kilcullen Slimming World group.

Samantha, who’s gone from 21 stone 11lbs to 15 stone 6.5lbs, says: “There’s absolutely nothing wrong with being a loser when it feels this good!

"I feel like a new woman since losing weight – in fact, I look so different that people who I haven’t seen for a while often can’t believe I’m the same person.

"For me though it’s the change on the inside that’s been the greatest – I’m happier, healthier and much more confident now.”

The proud 47-year-old joined the Kilcullen GAA Slimming World group - which is run by Emma Robbins - in July 2016.

Samantha says: “Before I lost the weight I hated having my photo taken and whenever I saw pictures of myself I knew that my smile wasn’t real.

"My weight impacted on so many aspects of my life, from struggling to find clothes that I like to fit to not being able to do simple everyday tasks without feeling tired and out of breath.”

Samantha’s weight was also putting a huge strain on her health when she was diagnosed with a rare heart condition a couple of years ago which has nearly cost her her life a number of times.

She now has an ICD defibrillator in her heart to keep her alive. With the excess weight she couldn’t exercise through pure fear but since joining Slimming World the group have encouraged Samantha to get more active with their Body Magic program which gave her the confidence to start small and build on that.

Samantha said “I couldn’t walk up the stairs without gasping for breath, I had daily symptoms of my heart condition which as a result, I have ended up in hospital many times.

"Since losing some weight, I now walk daily, I have had no hospital admissions and my symptoms are minimal.”

People who are severely overweight, with a BMI* above 30, are more likely to suffer from health problems like coronary heart disease, arthritis, diabetes and cancer, and obesity is linked to a reduction in life expectancy of between seven and nine years.

In Ireland 6 in 10 adults are overweight or obese meaning that their health is already at risk.