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CONGRATULATIONS to Killarney lady Siubhan Lewis who has been named Woman of the Year 2016 District Finalist with Slimming World.

Siubhan, of Muckross, said: “After I had my first child in 1977 I didn't put on any significant weight. That might have had to do with climbing down a cliff face during a camping holiday some weeks before the birth.

"In those early years my husband and I led a very active life – walking and climbing on the Kerry hills, in woodlands, by lake and along the coast; holidays cycling around the Beara Peninsula; having a very distressed Brendan (our first) on the back of the bike in torrential rain on the way home from Sneem; cycling every day during our lunch break."

Three and four years later there were two further arrivals. “My long story of getting heavier appeared to start. While this was very gradual by the time the children had reached First Communion age it was not a pleasant experience looking for something nice to wear,” said Siobhan.

"Since the home birth of number five in 1987 it has been an uphill battle. My increasing weight affected everything I did – the difficulty and expense of buying clothes."

Eating had become an addiction and it affected Siubhan’s feeling of self-worth, she added. “A particularly low point when I was told in the post office ‘Congratulations, you're expecting another baby" - which I was not!” said Siubhan.

For most of 30 years the Muckross resident has been joining slimming groups of various kinds. "I would lose a stone. But then put it back on again – and more," she said.

Staying active became more difficult. “Mountains were a memory. Cycling was a dream of the past,” said Siubhan.

Then in 2012 Siubhan suffered health problems and was diagnosed with thyroid cancer. “The fear was terrible, there were some awful experiences but the treatment and care were superb and after a year and a half I came through with flying colours,” she said. "This was a second chance at life. Clearly I was now making life and death decisions.

In June 2015 her daughter Ide suggested she and Siubhan should try Slimming World. "Although she had no significant weight problem she suggested otherwise," said Siobhan. "She and I would do this together. Then that historic day. Tuesday, July 7, 2015, Ide collected me and we went along to our first Slimming World session in The Brehon.”

Over this past year Siubhan felt she had two “guardian angels”. “Our leader Cheryl Cavanagh inspired with her own story, was endlessly helpful, her wit made everything enjoyable. Ide supported, cajoled, threatened. Anybody who says there are no angels doesn't know what they are talking about,” said Siubhan.

There were “blips”, added Siubhan, including putting on seven and a half pounds over Christmas and eight and a half pounds over holidays. But she battled on with the encouragement of her dynamic duo of helpers. Now, at 35kg lighter, Siubhan’s life has been transformed.

"These past months I have started to walk every evening with neighbours Colm and Kathleen as well as our dog and their two dogs,” she said.

“Walking to the foot of the mountain there is no puffing and panting. Mountains are a real possibility. Maybe I’ll even cycle the Ring of Kerry.

“I’m being told at every turn, ‘you look great’ or ‘you look ten years younger’….’your husband better watch out!’ – though he doesn’t believe that! Life couldn’t be better. Thank you Slimming World ... and those two guardian angels ... Ide and Cheryl.”

Slimming World meetings take place in The Brehon Hotel, Killarney on Tuesdays at 9.30am, 11.30am, 5.30pm and 7.30pm and in the Meadowlands Hotel in Tralee on Wednesdays at 9.30am, 11.30am, 3.30pm, 5.30pm and 7.30pm.