ADVERTORIAL: Two women, one wedding, and a Slimming World journey that changed everything
ADVERTORIAL
What started as a simple promise to support each other became a shared transformation filled with laughter, tears, fakeaway experiments, Saturday-morning coffees, and the kind of encouragement only a mother and daughter can give.
For Julie, Slimming World wasn’t new — but motherhood had changed her priorities. After welcoming her second baby in 2024, she realised she wanted to feel strong, healthy and energized again. When Julie and her husband set their 2025 wedding date, everything clicked into place.
“I wanted to feel my best on the day,” she says. “Not just for the photos, but for myself.”
Her dress — bought back in 2019 before Covid, before emigrating, before babies — became her biggest motivator. Trying it on at her highest weight was frightening, but it lit a fire in her. Each week, as the numbers dropped and her confidence rose, the dress became less of a worry and more of a celebration. To be nearly four stone lighter on my wedding day was absolutely brilliant.
Food optimising as a vegetarian meant getting creative. Cottage cheese became her secret protein booster, and her legendary lasagne-sheet spring rolls earned her a nickname in group as ‘the spring roll girl’.
Fakeaways, planning, and consistency helped her stay focused even through hen nights, cake tastings, and all the delicious chaos of wedding planning.
But what made the biggest difference was the support she found in group.
“My Slimming World consultant Jerry is so kind and relatable. I’ve cried in that room more than once, but never felt judged. The group became a community — people I genuinely cared about,” she said.
Julie’s mum Angela had been a Slimming World member before, but this time she wanted accountability — and company. Asking her daughter to join her was the start of something special.
Together, they meal-prepped, swapped recipes, and kept each other on track. If one was tired, busy, or tempted to skip a meal, the other stepped in. Their tastes aligned so well that even with Julie being vegetarian, they often shared the same dishes.
Angela says for years she hid in photos or positioned herself behind others. But on the wedding day?
“I loved every single photo — even the candid ones. I felt amazing. I danced all night and the energy I had was unreal.”
Healthy swaps helped Angela stay on plan without feeling deprived. Butter on toast became spreadable cheese, bread became crispbreads, and a big bowl of fruit salad became her favourite breakfast or dessert. But the biggest shift was mindset.
“I wanted to be healthy, not just slim. I want to run around with my grandkids without feeling breathless.”
Even after reaching target, she still attends group every week — not because she has to, but because she loves the people, the learning, and the Saturday-morning buzz.
Julie and Angela admit they were unsure about having a male consultant at first — but that changed almost instantly.
“Jerry genuinely cares,” they agree. “He motivates us, makes us laugh, and creates a space where everyone feels welcome.”
The Glanmire group became more than a weigh-in. It became a circle of friends who celebrated every milestone, shared every recipe, and supported each other through the ups and downs of life.
“It’s not just a coffee morning,” Julie’s mum says with a smile, “but it’s definitely a lovely excuse to meet your friends, have a chat, and rebuild your confidence while losing a few pounds.”
On the day itself, Julie and Angela felt radiant — not because of a number on the scales, but because of the confidence they had built together.
Julie walked down the aisle in the dress she’d dreamed of wearing. Her mum stood proudly beside her, no longer hiding from the camera.
Their smiles were real, their energy was high, and their joy was unmistakable.
Their Slimming World journey didn’t just change how they looked. It changed how they lived, how they felt, and how they supported each other.
And as they continue attending group side by side, they’re still celebrating every win together.
Classes take place in St Joseph's Parish Centre, Glanmire, T45 TW72 on Friday at 9am and Saturday at 7.30am, 9am and 10.30am and in Farranree Community Centre, Pophams Road, T23 YA43 on Wednesday at 7pm.