Award winning consultant makes a return

Christina Phelan ran very successful Slimming World groups in Carlow for over 10 years, achieving the very prestigious Gold award twice in that time for over 85% of her members successfully losing weight over three consecutive months. Supporting members to achieve weight loss goals that supported the members in lifestyle changes like taking part in marathons, adding to their families, getting married, traveling to dream destinations to promotions in careers with their new positive mind sets.

Christina truly loved what she did, however after covid she began feeling lost within herself with something she couldn’t control. So she stepped away from her groups and decided to start a new career all the while not feeling herself, she threw herself into work and cut herself off from everyone and everything, she even stopped meeting up with family and friends.

Christina says she remembers feeling “I had no energy, I was emotionally withdrawn and couldn’t stop it from happening. I could see I was drowning in my own feelings”. She had changed career hoping that it would help yet still felt the same.

Christina went to her doctor who very kindly spoke with her, Christina explained how she was feeling a lack of energy, brain fog, insomnia, body change unexplained weight gain these were all having a big impact on her everyday life. Her Doctor explained she was having symptoms of perimenopause, the doctor explained the benefits of a number of different things, one of them being exercise and how this would have positive impacts over time on her sleep, mood, and food choices . Christina says after that open honest and supportive conversation with her doctor she felt relief, she could breathe, she wasn’t going crazy.

She started to work more Body Magic (Slimming World’s physical activity programme) into her daily routines, a little walk to clear her head bringing her immediate physical and mental health benefits. This got her thinking and she knew by returning to a local Slimming World group she would get the support from a consultant along with like minded people in the group to start eating better. Food Optimising, (Slimming Worlds uniquely liberating eating plan) would help her shift the stubborn pounds she had gained.

Getting weekly tips from her consultant and fellow members on ways to make meals everyone at home could enjoy, the family favorites such as lasagne and chicken curry, she learned how to make healthier versions.

Her consultant helped her see where she might change her mind set around certain situations and again received advice from members in group was incredible.

Christina says, “I slowly started to feel better. I started to question the last three years and realised I had never felt as good about any other job as my Consultant role with Slimming World.’’ I spoke with my family explaining how I felt and with their support and the support of my regional manager who has welcomed me back with open arms. I met my new District Manager and fellow Carlow Consultants who have made my decision one I’m am so pleased I made so much easier, Just as any rejoining member would be welcome back to group after a break, they all welcomed me back.

‘’I am honestly the happiest version of myself now I can do the job I love while making the positive lifestyle changes to help me through my new chapter in life.

It’s so very important to follow a healthy lifestyle with food and exercise while riding the rollercoaster of perimenopause”.

Christina is pleased to share she will be opening a New Group on the 12th November 7pm running every Tuesday evening from the Woodford Dolmen Hotel Carlow.

If you have read my story and are thinking why bother before Christmas let me ask you why not?

You get to feel a little healthier going into 2025 everyday brings a new beginning. Do it for you!

The findings at a glance, members survey 

• The five most common symptoms were feeling tired or lack of energy (51%), Having difficulty concentrating (38%), having trouble sleeping (37%) memory problems (30%)and loss of libido (29%) 
• In the study, 85% of members said that, in their experience, weight loss was more challenging during perimenopause and after menopause.
• An impressive (79%) had successfully lost weight with Slimming world during perimenopause or menopause.
• Research shows it is possible to manage weight and lose weight during menopause