“I began to love life again” - Dungiven Slimming World consultant Valerie 

In January a new Slimming World group was set up in Dungiven. After 11 official weigh-ins that group has lost a staggering 1096 pounds in weight - that's 78 and a quarter stones!!!

Consultant Valerie tells her story - “I have had my own weight loss struggles after gaining weight as a result of being unwell and difficult life changes. I tried every diet going and nothing worked.

“I was overweight, unfit, stressed, tired and completely miserable. Until I found Slimming World! The first day I walked in the door I felt sick and wanted to run but also knew that things needed to change. 

“So in I went, and I can honestly say it was the best thing I ever did! My Consultant Georgina, her social team and the other members were so welcoming and I immediately felt relaxed and excited about the journey ahead - a feeling I hadn't had in a long long time. I found the plan easy to follow although it did take a couple of weeks to adjust to the fact that I could eat so much food and still lose weight! 

“After 13 weeks I had lost 32.5 pounds and I began to love life again! Never did I believe it would actually work or that I could actually do it - and that is why I became a Slimming World Consultant - because I want everyone to know that no matter how bad you feel about yourself and your weight there is a great plan that will let you achieve your dreams - no mimics, no fuss, no expense - just fun, ideas, motivation and support from a group of like-minded people who understand the trials of weight loss and are delighted to help each other along the way to achieve their goals!

“At Slimming World Dungiven you will find no judgement, no humiliation; just understanding and inspiration to succeed. 

“Our members include men and women with many different backgrounds but all with the same dream of loosing weight to feel healthier, fitter and happier. Everyone is really supportive of the group and extremely committed - even in snow, storms, half term, Valentines day, St Patrick's day, mothers day - they have all turned up and kept their promise to themselves to become the person that they want to be!”

Valerie continued: “The group offers a really friendly network and everyone loves to see others' successes and offer encouragement if someone has not had the results they want - we all leave the group every Thursday night feeling focused and determined for a fabulous slimming world week ahead! 

“We have had tremendous weight losses - Elaine lost a fantastic 10.5 pounds in her 1st week! And in one week we had an accumulative weightloss of 172.5 pounds! 

“AND we have 3 members already at their target weight! The members' commitment and success is so inspiring to me as their Consultant and I am so proud of each and every one of my members.

“I absolutely love my role as Slimming World Consultant and I am so excited watching the increase in my members confidence and self-esteem that they develop in the weeks following joining my group.

“Not to miss out on the fun that all the established groups are having, even though we were only opened four weeks we still joined the rest of the UK with our Greatest Loser 2023 competition where we had a winner from each session - Teresa and David each losing a whopping 1 stone 3 and a half pounds in just 4 weeks!! 

Slimming World consultant Valerie

“Then we had our February Free Food Festival, where we explored all the amazing free foods that you can eat as much as you need to satisfy your appetite and we held a 'cook-off' where our budding chefs show-cased their favourite meals and our winner Ethna was crowned our winner for her amazing Slimming World Strawberry Mousse - YES YOU CAN eat that on the Slimming World Plan!!!”

Concluding, Valerie said: “The focus at Slimming World Dungiven is not just about weight loss - it's about how each  member feels about themselves and their relationship with food - each week we learn more about the psychology of slimming and more importantly about our own behaviours towards dieting; and how we can break old and create new habits that will get us to our goals and maintain them for life. And we love to celebrate every single achievement - whether that is weight loss,  building some physical activity into your day or 'off the scales victories' - we have a certificate and a sticker and a massive round of applause for everything!! Come along for fun, raffles, competitions, tasting sessions, ideas and so much more! Be part of the most wonderful group!!

“A warm welcome, a cuppa, a laugh, new friends, support and motivation awaits YOU!!” 

EVERY THURSDAY, 5.30PM OR 7PM, GLENSHANE HOUSE, MAIN STREET , DUNGIVEN 

CALL VALERIE 07999942839 IF YOU WOULD LIKE MORE INFORMATION - SEE YOU SOON!!!!

Check out www.slimmingworld.co.uk or Slimming World Derry on Facebook.