Emma crowned Woman of the Year

Emma Jameson lost weight with her local Slimming World group in Randalstown and has dropped from 13st 13.5lb to 9st 6.5lb. Now her fellow slimmers have voted her as their representative in the annual Slimming World Woman of the Year 2014 competition.

Around one in four women in the UK and Ireland are severely overweight and at risk of suffering a range of health problems including diabetes, heart disease and cancer.

Slimming World’s Woman of the Year competition recognises the achievements of women in making long-term healthy lifestyle changes for themselves and their families.

Emma joined Slimming World in September 2012 after becoming increasingly unhappy with her size.

She said: “I started to put on weight after the birth of my son. I wasn’t happy with my body and I developed post natal depression.

“I knew it was something I needed to take control of. I lost 3st and then discovered I was pregnant with my second child.

“This pregnancy was a great deal different as I was a lot healthier and was in control of my eating habits.

“I was delighted to learn that I could continue at Slimming World as a pregnant member and continued at Slimming World with support of my midwife.”

Emma gained a total of 18lb throughout our pregnancy and within her first two weeks back at group had lost the full 18lb.

“I then reset my target and went on to lose a further stone and half. I tried lots of different diets but they usually left me feeling hungry and miserable,” Emma said.

She added: “Slimming World is completely different, I never have to miss out or feel deprived and after losing 4.5st I’m the slimmest – and the happiest – I’ve been in years!”

The 30 year-old follows Slimming World’s Food Optimising eating plan, which encourages slimmers to fill up on satisfying yet healthy everyday foods like fruit and veg, lean meat and fish, pasta, potatoes, rice and pulses without having to weigh or measure.

She’s cut out many of the convenience foods and sugary snacks she used to rely on, and loves trying out all the delicious healthy recipes she picks up from other members at her Slimming World group.

Emma says that losing weight hasn’t just made her a more confident mum, and helped her make better decisions about her own health, it’s helped her provide a much healthier lifestyle for the family.

“By losing weight through Slimming World’s healthy eating plan and changing the way that I shop, cook and prepare family meals, as well as having more energy and being much more active I’m so much happier as a parent and partner,” Emma said.

She added: “My family and friends are all amazed how much I can eat and still lose weight. I cook for them now and they can’t believe it’s all healthy food because it tastes so good.

“I still eat all the same meals that I did before but now I cook and prepare them differently, I cook from scratch instead of relying on ready meals and convenience foods like jars of sauce.

“I never dreamt I could achieve so much. I’ve gone from a size 16-18 to an 8-10 and it’s made such a huge difference – it’s changed my life. I’ve got so much more energy and I can do things now that I couldn’t before. My fitness has improved – I enjoy being active now rather than thinking of it as a chore. I feel like a winner already, so being voted the Randalstown group’s Woman of the Year 2014 is just the icing on the cake.”

Gina, who runs the Randalstown group, said: “I’m so proud of Emma. Not only does she look fabulous, she’s improved her health and is bursting with energy. She’s a huge inspiration to everyone in our group and I hope she inspires other women in Randalstown to change their lives in the same way.

“It can be hard to admit that you need to do something about your weight and to ask for help, but I think Emma shows just what’s possible when you do.”

The Randalstown Slimming World group is held every Tuesday at 5pm and 7pm at St MacNissi Parish Hall. To join or find out more call Gina on 07866111242.