Eileen, who will be opening a Slimming World group on Monday, January 26 at the Enterprise Agency, 58 Greystone Road, Antrim, at 7pm, had been overweight since the age of 11 until she found Slimming World.
Eileen had fooled herself for years, conv
incing herself that she was happy with the way she looked, until she went to try on an outfit she had bought for her son's wedding to discover it didn't fit. That was it, she decided she had to do something.
She went along to her Slimming World group and like many of us felt a little apprehensive about it all, however as soon as she walked through the door she was welcomed by her warm and caring consultant.
Eileen said: "I was amazed everyone was so friendly and I felt at ease straight away, everyone was there for the same reason and they gave each other help and support through the group session"
Now in its 40th year, Slimming World has for decades been the most advanced slimming organisation offering a cleverly constructed package of a flexible eating plan (which the company calls Food Optimising) and an easy to start activity programme combined with warm and friendly group support.
It's a unique combination that helps individuals choose a weight loss solution that best fits with their lifestyle so they can make it a new everyday healthy routine.
Slimming World's research team are constantly reviewing what is most likely to help members achieve lasting success and they're very excited about the launch of Extra Easy.
Eileen wants to show people how easy it is to loose weight without every feeling hungry or like you are on a diet.
And with Slimming World's new Extra Easy plan it couldn't be easier.
Eating unlimited potatoes, pasta, chicken, beef and many many more foods while still having your treats!
It really is too good to be true but it is fantastic and so easy to fit into everyday life, whatever that maybe, the new Extra Easy Plan is for everyone who wants to eat healthily and lose weight.
Whatever it takes, Slimming World members know that their consultant will help them develop new healthy eating routines for them and the whole family. They know it's affordable, easy and they'll never go hungry.
People lead busy lives and there are lots of distractions. Slimming World make it effective, easy and fun! People love coming to Slimming World and Slimming World are delighted that their message is reaching more people than ever before.
Slimming World's Food Optimising plan is based on Free Foods - these are foods that you can eat in unlimited quantities like fruit, vegetables, lean meat, fish, eggs, pasta, potatoes and rice. Free Foods are the secret of success at Slimming World and allow you to eat to satisfy your appetite, and never feel hungry and still lose weight.
As well as Free Foods, members following a Slimming World eating plan are encouraged to eat measured amounts of Healthy Extras to give them plenty of calcium and dairy allowance - every day enjoy 350ml skimmed milk or 250ml semi-skimmed milk for hot drinks, cereals, as part of a meal or to drink on its own. Alternatively choose 1oz/28g of full-fat hard cheese or 1½oz/42g of reduced-fat hard cheese, on its own or as part of a meal. This ensures you're getting some calcium every day.
Treat yourself
At Slimming World you can also enjoy your favourite treats every day because we believe that a little of what you fancy really does do you good!
Day one
Breakfast - 1oz/28g porridge oats made up with milk from your daily allowance topped with fresh mixed berries
Lunch - A large jacket potato filled with a delicious tuna medley: tuna (canned in water), chopped peppers, sweetcorn and chives mixed with very low fat yogurt and 1 level tbsp Hellmann's Extra Light Mayonnaise. Serve with a large mixed salad.
Dinner: Mushroom risotto - 14g/ ½ oz dried mushrooms, 852ml/1½ pt boiling water, Fry Light, 1 small red onion, cut into thin wedges, 1 garlic clove crushed, 227g/8oz Arborio rice, 113g/4oz mushrooms, sliced, 1 leek, thinly sliced, 1 tsp thyme leaves, Salt and finely ground black pepper, 1 tbsp freshly chopped parsley, 28g/1oz Parmesan cheese, grated
Method: 1.Place the dried mushrooms in a bowl, pour the boiling water over and leave to soak for 30 minutes. Remove the mushrooms from the liquid but do not discard this liquid.
2.Spray a large saucepan with Fry Light and cook the onion and garlic for 5 minutes. Add boiling water to the reserved mushroom liquid until you have 852ml/1 ½ pints of stock.
3.Put the rice into a pan and slowly add a little of the stock to the rice, stirring all the time. It is important that the stock is hot at all times throughout the process otherwise the rice will not cook properly. When you have used half of the stock, add the sliced mushrooms, soaked mushrooms, the leeks and the thyme. Continue adding the stock until the rice has become slightly soft, this will take about 25-30 minutes.
4.Season to taste, add the parsley and most of the Parmesan cheese and stir well. Pour the rice into a serving bowl and garnish with the remaining cheese and a little black pepper before serving.
Day two
Breakfast - Poached eggs, Quorn sausages and baked beans with grilled tomatoes and mushrooms
Lunch - Roast beef, rocket leaves and tomato slices in a sandwich made with 2 slices of wholemeal bread (400g loaf)
Dinner - Make a mountain of spaghetti bolognaise for a feast everyone will enjoy. To make the sauce fry chopped garlic and onion using Fry Light, until soft. Add extra lean minced beef (or Quorn if you want a vegetarian option) and brown. Then add chopped mushrooms, peppers, canned tomatoes or passata, oregano, thyme and a dash of balsamic vinegar. Simmer until sauce is rich and thickened. Season to taste and serve sprinkled with finely chopped red chilli and lots of spaghetti. Enjoy with a crisp green salad.
In between meals you can snack freely whenever you want on Free Food snacks like fresh or frozen fruit of your choice: from apples and bananas to grapes, pineapple and raspberries - it's all Free.
