Less is more for slimline Ursula

AN Ennis woman’s inspiring weight loss has led her to be selected as one of the 10 finalists of the UniSlimmer of the Year 2012 competition. Ursula Guilfoyle from Roslevan has lost over five stone, going from a size 20 down to a 12.
“I am thrilled, I never expected to make it to the finals. There are plenty of people who have done just as good as I have, I’m just chuffed,” said Ursula.
She recalled how her weight-loss journey began. “I had wanted to lose weight for a long time, I wanted to get my BMI down to be more healthy but you have to physically and mentally want to do it and I had made a few half-hearted attempts. Then my sister announced in October 2010 that she was getting married the following June.
“I thought to myself ‘this is the time to lose the weight’ but I still didn’t do anything about it. Then at the end of January, I was looking around the shops and this blue Karen Millen dress just caught my eye. I said to myself, ‘this is the dress I want to wear to the wedding’. I wanted to get it in a couple of sizes too small because I said I would lose the weight. I asked if they had it in a 16, I thought that would be a realistic goal to set myself. They said the biggest size was a 14 and they’re small sizes but I said ‘sure I’ll take it’. And I brought it home and hung it up and I joined UniSlim.”
She said that every time she needed a little encouragement on her weight-loss goal she looked at the dress. When it came to her sister’s wedding, she proudly slipped into the outfit. Her weight loss didn’t stop there and Ursula continued with her goal to reach her target.
Ursula is now hoping to put her new figure through its paces by taking part in a triathalon.
“People are coming up to me saying I look really fit and though I wouldn’t be the best for exercising, I do a bit and I am aiming to do a triathalon at some point. That wouldn’t have even entered my head before losing the weight,” she said.
“I’m so much healthier now, this isn’t about calorie counting or points. They teach you how to eat healthier, it’s about a healthy lifestyle-change as opposed to a diet. My mother joined with me and she lost 2st 4lbs and she looks fantastic.
“Our leader, Laura, is just fantastic, she lost seven stone herself. Every week, you learn something new and she is just a text away if I have any questions. All of the members of the class in the West County Hotel have been great, we’re such a close-knit group that even though we start at 7pm, we’re often there at 6.30pm catching up on the week.”
“Unislim has had a positive influence on my life in ways that I could have only have dreamed about. I used to eat a box of Pringles or three bags of Taytos in one sitting. I loved takeaways. Now I have so much more energy towards everything that I do. My weight held me back before. If you’re ever slacking off, it’s a question of just showing our leader your food diary and seeing where you went wrong. There are no repercussions or punishments.
“Losing weight became inspiring and even fun. I looked and still look forward to the class every week. It’s not only about turning up on a Tuesday and getting weighed, I was made feel like part of a family. Tuesday nights are like a social night out in my calendar.”
She admits, “Some days are difficult and some are easy,” adding, “but it’s a case of changing your eating habits so if I do have a takeaway I’m careful with the rest of what I eat. I’m not depriving myself, it just teaches you how to eat and the results speak for themselves. I am the proof of the pudding.”
It isn’t just her health that has improved since losing weight.
“I’ve been given much more confidence. Before this, I would have been somebody who would get involved in doing stuff for Éire Óg but I was never somebody who would be in the limelight. Just putting my photo forward for the awards shows the difference, it has changed me. Mood-wise I’m much happier because I’m eating the right foods.”
Earlier this year, she took on the challenge of climbing Croagh Patrick. “It was a massive thing for me,” she said.
Ursula concluded, “I can’t believe the change that UniSlim has made to my life, I now have more energy than ever and can do everything I ever wanted! I now look forward to my class every week, as it’s not only about being weighed in, it’s about being part of a family. You won’t get encouragement like you do in UniSlim anywhere else.”
The overall winner of the awards be announced at a ceremony in The Shelbourne Hotel on Wednesday, November 7.
Fiona Gratzer, managing director of UniSlim, says, “As always, this year’s UniSlimmer of the Year competition has received some fantastic applications. The 10 finalists have not only lost weight, but have also gained a new-found confidence and energy, as well as seeing some fantastic health benefits. They truly are an inspiration to us all,” she said.