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Life-changing transformation for Dympna

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A 67-year-old Shannon woman scooped the top prize in this year’s national Curvette of the Year competition.
Dympna Carthy was announced as the winner of the contest at a gala event in Dublin’s Fitzwilliam Hotel last Wednesday.
Curves is an international women’s fitness franchise with a programme that aims to increase energy levels, self-confidence and encourages members to meet new people and make friends.
This is the third year of the competition, which aims to find a Curves member who has not only lost weight and inches through Curves but has also experienced positive life changes since joining the Curves programme.
After being diagnosed with osteoporosis, Dympna joined Curves in Shannon (which is in Smithstown) in 2006 to help increase her strength. She says the results have changed her life.
“I don’t know myself now, I have that much energy. I was very inactive but once I was diagnosed with osteoporosis, I was nervous about lifting heavy things but going to Curves helped build up my strength again. It was great for me and my husband got a brand new woman,” she says.
Her weight loss has been dramatic since joining, as she has dropped four dress sizes and lost nearly two stone.
“I had tried dieting before but it didn’t really work. This programme breaks down fat and with Curves, you have the support of the other women,” she says.
The social aspect of Curves is important to her. “I love it, it’s a way of life. I’ve lots of friends and there is great social interaction; there’s a great group there. The exercise helps every part of your body, I couldn’t praise it enough.”
She is also part of the Shannon Senior Citizens’ Group and takes part in a weekly workout there.
Dympna’s prizes include a 10-year free membership of Curves, a family holiday to Turkey and an outfit from Debenhams. Herself and the other four finalists were given the VIP treatment with an overnight stay at the Fitzwilliam Hotel, along with professional hair and make-up styling.
The judging panel for the competition included Gill Brady from Curves International, Off the Rails presenter Sonya Lennon and beauty journalist Laura Bermingham.
A 25-year-old Galway woman was named first runner-up. Sharon Gurry has lost over four stone and an impressive 62 inches since joining Curves Galway in September 2008.
Sharon realised she needed to make a change and improve her lifestyle when she struggled to button a pair of size 18 trousers. Since becoming an avid member of Curves, Sharon has improved her health, stress levels, overall fitness and confidence.
“I have found that since joining Curves, I use my inhaler less and am rarely out of breath. I am fitter than I was 12 months ago and will keep working to achieve my ultimate goal. I have a new lease on life since joining Curves” she says.
Speaking after the final, Michael Foley, international marketing director for Curves, said, “I would like to thank Curves members across Ireland for entering this year’s Curvette competition. This is the third year of the competition and we have had a huge response again this year. There were some really moving stories from our members and it was a tough decision to narrow it to five finalists and even more challenging to pick just one winner.”

 

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