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Weigh to go Denise!
WEIGH TO GO! Denise O'Connell from Mill Road made the regional finals of Slimming World's Woman of the Year 2019 in Dublin. Denise is pictured with SW Consultant Marie O'Sullivan. Photo: Michelle Crean
EXCLUSIVE
By Michelle Crean
She’s over 5 stone lighter - but it’s not just a weight loss achievement that saw one local lady nominated for the regional finals of Slimming World’s Woman of the Year 2019 on Sunday.
Denise O’Connell from Mill Road, who is a member of Marie's Slimming World Killarney, made it to the last 14 in Dublin for the finals out of a possible 92,000 Slimming World members across the country.
Denise, who has gone through many life struggles in recent times, was voted by her fellow Slimming World members as they describe her as inspirational, motivational and kind.
Denise is a target member and a diamond member meaning she has lost 5st 3lb and kept it off for over a year.
After being heavy all her life, mother of two Denise who works as a SNA in St Brendan’s College, decided to lose the weight for good.
However, just after joining she learned her son Fiachra had cancer and while that’s enough for anyone to deal with, she also struggled with slipped discs – but managed to stay on the plan and inspire fellow slimmers.
Now, all’s good with Fiachra and she’s fit and healthy and volunteering her time with the Wednesday afternoon and Saturday morning groups.
“I started in May 2016, my starting weight was 14 stone 2Ibs,” she told the Killarney Advertiser.
“I went to a wedding wearing a size 22 and couldn’t sit down – that was the deciding factor.”
She said the plan suited her and now it’s her turn to help others. Her motto is ‘because I’m worth it’ and now enjoys wearing fashionable clothing and a new lease of life.
“I want to live a healthy life.”
Consultant Marie O’Sullivan added that Denise is an exceptional person.
“Through all these scary times she kept going. She’s incredible and one of the strongest people I know. She’s such a support to the people in the group. She just gives up her time for everyone else. She’s exceptional.”


