WEXFORD WOMAN Siobhán McGuire is Weight Watchers’ Leader of the Year.
A leader with the organisation for just four years, the model county native was recently awarded the distinguished title, at a national ceremony, on account of her success and popularity.
A mother to daughters aged seven and nine, Ms. McGuire (36) said she had a healthy routine and lifestyle up until the passing of her father while she was aged just 18.
While caring for her mother in the evenings thereafter, she fell into a cycle of bad eating habits.
“I should have been enjoying life, but instead I was sitting in comfort eating and getting into a rut,” she said.
At her heaviest, she weighed almost 12 stone.
Around the time of her 21st birthday, however, the inspirational leader joined Weight Watchers.
She attended a class in Waterford where she was studying at the time and has since described this as “the best decision I’ve ever made.
“The programme worked for me and the weight was coming off.
“I was starting to regain my confidence and was feeling better about myself.”
Ms. McGuire reached her goal weight after losing two stone and has fortunately managed to maintain this weight since.
Among the most important lifestyle changes she implemented on her weight loss journey, she said, was to stop buying junk food, especially in bulk.
Even following both of her pregnancies, Ms. McGuire returned to class and soon regained control of her weight.
The Wexford woman now runs the Clonard class she first began attending after finishing college.
“It really is the most fulfilling job imaginable,” she said.
“It’s hard to believe that my job transpired from me losing my own weight.
“There are not many jobs that allow you to witness and be privy to somebody making the most positive changes to their lives, looking better, feeling better and getting healthier.
“There is no better feeling than seeing someone walk through the door on week one, ready to make a change but quite apprehensive about whether it will work or not, to every week seeing them literally change in front of your eyes.
“Because I was that member, I know exactly how they are feeling and how fantastic it feels when they are successful.”
Ms. McGuire was thrilled to be crowned Leader of the Year and described the moment as “just an incredible achievement for me.
Read more in the Wexford Echo.