A Wishaw mum is living life to the full in her career as a student nurse after shedding almost four-and-a-half stones.
Danielle O’Neill said she was fortunate enough to be on placement and see for herself the physical effects of obesity.
“I knew I had to lose weight,” said Danielle.
“I hated how I looked and felt but seeing my future if I didn’t do something really gave me the push I needed.
“Mentally before losing weight I lived with severe anxiety for almost five years which only my family knew about as I became good at covering it up. I really didn’t like myself purely because of my weight.”
Danielle made the decision to join her local Slimming World group in Wishaw back in the summer of 2019.
She found out she could eat all the foods she loved simply by changing how she cooked them and quickly realised that by following the unique Food Optimising plan she wouldn’t need to starve or miss out enjoying meals like home cooked chicken chow mein and lasagne, which the whole family loved.
Facing her biggest challenge, Danielle continued to attend the group virtually in Wishaw throughout lockdown while she also embarked on a 20-week placement working in a ward which treated Covid-19 patients which was offered through her university course.
Most of all since losing weight, Danielle has now found she is unstoppable, no longer feeling the need to avoid parks or adventure play dates with her young children.
She added: “I can hold a conversation without feeling the need to mention how overweight I am. I feel confident I can educate people who I care for.
“But most importantly my days are not filled with panic and anxiety attacks or binge eating. I’m a better mum because I have regained control of my life.”
Danielle attends Angela Harris’ group in St Thomas Parish Centre, Wishaw, on Thursday evenings.
For more information contact Angela on 07879 617698.
