Lisburn woman is living life to the fullest following an incredible nine stone weight loss
Lisburn woman Natasha Stewart is celebrating being named in the top three Women of the Year with Slimming World.
Two years ago Natasha decided she needed to make some big changes and thanks to the support of her local Slimming World group she has shed nine stone and is living life to the full.
"In January 2023, I made an impulsive decision that ended up transforming my entire life,” explained Natasha, who is 29 years old.
"I was sitting on the sofa, listening to my own heavy breathing and feeling the familiar burn of constant heartburn.
"I stared out the window and realised that for years I hadn’t truly been living, I had only been surviving.”
Natasha knew she needed help to make those huge life changes and she found that help at Slimming World.
"That moment of clarity pushed me to look up Slimming World groups, and by fate, there was one starting within the hour,” she continued.
"I got up, walked out the door, and everything changed from there. I joined Christine’s 7.30pm group at Trinity Methodist Church.”
And thanks to the support she received from her consultant Christine and the other members of the group, she hasn’t looked back.
“I jumped straight into Slimming World’s generous Food Optimising plan, and the results came quickly,” she explained.
"I never felt hungry, I never felt restricted, and I can honestly say I’ve eaten chocolate every single day since I began.
"By January 2024, I was six stone lighter, feeling healthier, more confident, and finally starting to live again.
"That’s when I added activity into my routine and joined the gym.
“I had no idea what I was doing at first, so I signed up for classes and after that, there was no stopping me."
Just two years later and life has completely changed for the Lisburn woman.
“I am nine stone lighter and at my target weight,” she continued. “I feel like a completely new person. I can confidently say I am finally happy being me.”
As well as celebrating her incredible weight loss achievement, Natasha was overwhelmed when she reached the final of Slimming World’s Woman of the Year.
“In September, I was invited to the semi-finals of Slimming World’s National Woman of the Year with 40 incredible women,” she explained.
"I made it to the final three and attended the Slimming World Oscars awards ceremony in November, standing on stage with my amazing consultant Christine and Ashley Banjo from Diversity, who was the guest speaker. What an incredible experience!
"I’ve gone from a woman who hid away, who ate secretly in her car, and who dreaded airplanes because the seatbelt wasn’t fitting, to the most confident version of myself. I now enjoy food openly, shop wherever I like, and live without the restrictions that once controlled me.
"I am forever grateful to my consultant Christine, who supported me every step of the way, without her, I wouldn’t be where I am today.”
Consultant Christine is delighted with Natasha’s success, saying: “Although Natasha wasn’t the winner on the night she will always be our winner.
"The changes Natasha has made to her general life: health, appearance, confidence to name but a few has given so many others the belief if you want to achieve something, you absolutely can.”