A 45-year-old super slimmer from Letterkenny got along swimmingly with Olympian Mark Foster when she met him at the semi-finals of a competition to find the UK and Ireland’s top female slimmers.
Caroline Alcorn was one of just 54 women to win a place at the semi-finals of Slimming World’s Woman of the Year 2016 competition after losing an impressive 7st 12.5lbs.
It was there that she was congratulated by Mark, who is Britain’s most-decorated male swimmer and six-time world champion.
Caroline, who slimmed from 17st 9lbs to 9st 10.5lbs, made it to the semi-finals after members at her Letterkenny group voted for her to be their representitive for the national Woman of the Year competition.
She then went on to win her regional heat, which put her in the running to win the overall title of Woman of the Year 2016 and a once-in-a-lifetime holiday to Mexico.
She says: “I’d tried and failed to lose weight so many times that I honestly thought that I was destined to be overweight forever. Before Slimming World, I always found myself feeling deprived, hungry and miserable when I tried to lose weight. Slimming World completely opened my eyes to a totally new way of eating.
“The changes I’ve made were so simple that I actually barely noticed them – little things like switching white bread for wholemeal and using low-calorie cooking spray instead of lots of oil. I did notice the change on the scales though – in my first week I lost 5lbs! I couldn’t believe it because I’d felt so full and satisfied.
Caroline before her amazing weight loss.
“What made it even easier was the fact that everyone could eat the same meals. Family favourites like spaghetti bolognaise, chicken tikka masala and even chips were all on the menu. Nobody even noticed that their favourite dishes were getting a healthy makeover! It’s even encouraged me to think about how active I am too, so I’ve taken up aqua aerobics, walking and going to the gym. Slimming World has completely changed my life.”
Mark, who since retiring from swimming has appeared on Strictly Come Dancing and now has a successful presenting career, was blown away by Caroline’s transformation.
He said: “It was a real pleasure to meet Caroline and chat to her about her weight loss. As an athlete I know how important health and fitness is for your general wellbeing, so I think it’s incredible to hear how these remarkable women have turned their lives around. I wouldn’t like to be one of the judges because they’re all winners in my book!”
Catherine Bond, who runs the Letterkenny group that Caroline attends, said: “Caroline is such an inspiration to everyone in our group. While she has lost weight she’s grown in so many other ways – her confidence, her happiness and her zest for life. It’s been a pleasure to share in her journey I couldn’t be more proud of her and I know the Letterkenny group all feel the same way. She’s blossomed into a beautiful woman both inside and out.
“Caroline inspires people in group every week. If she’s inspired anyone else in Letterkenny who’d like to lose weight, they’re more than welcome to join our group at St Eunan’s GAA Clubhouse or call me on 863962666.”
Unfortunately Caroline didn’t make the final of the competition. The overall winner of Slimming World Woman of the Year 2016 will be announced next month.
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