Sometimes, you just need a final push to make that long-awaited lifestyle change.
There are many out there who would like to radically change their lives, like the man who lost over 100 pounds after being rejected from the Army. But oftentimes, it can be difficult to find the courage to start.
Roisin Curran's amazing story from back in December of 2015, however, is one of fierce bravery. Roisin, from County Down in Northern Ireland, struggled deeply with food addiction — unable to stop snacking on unhealthy foods throughout her day.
Dealing with difficult body image issues while pursuing a stressful career, Roisin was left feeling totally out of control.
"It used to worry me when I would think about how my weight would lead me to die early — I was always worried that I'd have a heart attack," she shared with the Mirror UK.
But then one Christmas, Roisin's life completely changed for the better.
Scroll through to see what surprising "holiday miracle" convinced her to finally take control of her weight — and her life — for good.
What do you think of Roisin's transformation?
[H/T: Mirror UK]
Roisin had struggled with her weight since youth, wearing a size 18 at only 15 years old.
Despite trying various diets, attempting to replace unhealthier fare with fruits and vegetables, she just couldn't seem to lose the weight and was desperate for a solution.
"I had been overweight for my whole life and for a good while resigned to the belief that I'd be fat forever," Roisin shared with the Mirror UK.
“Before I’d gorge on sugary snacks in between my meals and was always eating double portions. I’d even get out of breath from just walking up the stairs.”
Roisin knew something had to change immediately.
That final push she needed came in the form of a humiliating surprise.
The previous Christmas, Roisin hit her absolute lowest point: she was unable to fit into the Santa Claus costume she traditionally wore at her office holiday party.
"I could either turn up to the Christmas party in normal clothes or cut the elastic from the outfit and squeeze myself in. After the embarrassment of all of that, I saw the pictures and I looked huge; it was a real eye-opener."
She continued, "I was horrified — I was fatter than Santa."
So Roisin decided enough was enough — it was time to take her health into her own hands.
She signed up for Slimming World, a weight-loss program, and hasn't looked back since.
After only a few months, she’d lost over 50 pounds and everyone was starting to notice the incredible shift in both her body and glowing new confidence.
“It felt incredible,” Roisin shared. “I was still eating meals that left me feeling full but I was losing a lot of weight.”
And after all of that work? Roisin was literally half her old size! By eating moderately and incorporating daily exercise, she was feeling better than ever.
“I’d never needed a belt in my life until [now] and [feel] so much more confident.”
Roisin’s Slimming World Consultant, Leanne McLaughlin, has only incredible things to say about her total transformation, “Roisin’s done amazingly well with her weight loss and has turned her life around so much that she’s now living life to the fullest.”
Her epic weight-loss journey also inspired Roisin to make a career change. She went back to school with hopes of becoming a nurse practitioner.
“Before I used to think I was too fat to be a nurse. I worried patients wouldn’t take me seriously when talking about health implications. But now that I’ve lost [130 lbs.], I feel like a real role model and can’t wait to follow my dream.”
And for the following year's Christmas party, Roisin arrived as something completely different: a cute and svelte elf!
“Now when I look back at the old picture of me dressed as Mrs. Claus, I laugh — I’ll never go back now that I’ve lost all this weight. This year I can [definitely] fit into Christmas costumes.”
Roisin hopes her transformational story can inspire others to make healthful changes, too.
Laurie, her Slimming consultant, can't agree more. "She's a great pillar of support to all of the members of the group, and everyone out there reading about Roisin's achievements and looking to lose weight is sure to see what an inspiration she is."
And though the holidays can often be a time for indulgences, Roison's story just goes to show that any moment can be the perfect moment to take control of your life and your health.
Are you as inspired by Roisin's incredible transformation as I was? Let us know in the comments.
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