A former reporter for ITV Yorkshire’s Calendar News programme hopes to share the story of her journey to better health and fitness to help inspire other people.
Fiona Dwyer has lost two stones in seven months and “rediscovered clothes in my wardrobe that I’d totally given up on”. The mum-of-two from East Yorkshire has now added Slimming World consultant to her PR specialist and journalist job titles.
Looking back, she says her weight issues really started when she had her children. Both are now adults, her youngest having just turned 18.
“During both of my pregnancies, I had a condition called Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction,” Fiona said. “It’s a condition many women can get, but not everyone gets it so severely.
“In fact, I knew I was pregnant with my second child at just four weeks, without taking a pregnancy test, because the pain had already started. And the pain was awful and incredibly debilitating.
“I ended up housebound, needing a wheelchair to go out. I had to sleep sitting up, I would ‘lock up’ so I couldn’t move.
“I certainly couldn’t do any exercise, which was difficult for someone who had always been fit and active. I had to have elective Caesareans, but even after both births, it took me at least ten months to be able to walk to the top of the road without pain.
“I guess all of this had a knock-on effect on my other joints. And with two young children, as well as working full-time, I found it difficult to get back to normal.”
Fiona said: “I always thought I’d never be seen dead going into a weight loss group.” However, it did not stop her joining Slimming World as a member in March 2024.
Now, after transforming her own health and lifestyle, she is celebrating her new role as a Slimming World consultant. Fiona said: “If you’d have said to me 18 months ago that I would be launching a Slimming World group, I simply wouldn’t have believed you … yet here I am, and I couldn’t be happier.”
The mum said she “genuinely loved the whole process” towards her weight loss, still being able to eat her favourite foods and having a glass of wine “or gin and tonic”. “I lost 3.5 pounds the first week and have never looked back.
“After a couple of months, I was even able to come off my blood pressure medication after a check-up with my GP.” Fiona said she had previously tried all the usual diets but nothing seemed to work.
“I feel like me again. I’m healthier, more active and feel great. And I’ve met some amazing and inspiring new friends. That’s why I knew I had to help others feel the same way.
“It’s also made me a smarter shopper at the supermarket – and I actually spend less now because I plan what we eat in advance. As a PR coach, I already help people with their PR confidence and I meet so many people who don’t like speaking in public, having their photo taken or appearing on a video because they don’t like how they look – so my new role at Slimming World also fits in perfectly with my PR business.”
Fiona’s Slimming World group will be held at All Saints’ Parish Church Hall, Church Road, North Ferriby, every Wednesday at 5.30pm and 7pm, from May 28. For more information or to join Fiona’s group, either pop along on that evening or call, text or WhatsApp message her on 07515 631299.
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