Jeanette Hanna has gone from feeling like the fattest mum in the playground, to being someone who enjoys working out.
The Dundonald mother lost over six stone with significant willpower and the support of her husband, who has also undergone his own remarkable weight loss journey.
Jeanette, 38, says she feels ‘amazing’ after what was a tough battle, from childhood bullying through to feeling that no matter what she tried, she was doomed to fail.
Jeanette’s amazing transformation
“I was a size 26 and suffering from severe back pain, but the light bulb moment was when I took my son to P1,” she explained.
“I was the fattest mum in the playground – 60 mums and not one bigger than me, so I knew I had to do it for him. I didn’t want him tortured because of my weight.
“I joined a local slimming club. Yes, I lost weight but it came to a standstill.”
That was the moment when her own resilience was backed by her husband’s determination.
“I wasn’t giving up, so my husband suggested I do the same as he was doing. He had been around 20 stone and had started losing weight with me, then changed his diet to six days healthy eating and a cheat meal once a week, so that’s what I did.
“He has now lost around seven stone and is a Qualified Personal Trainer in Urban Fitness in Dundonald.”
After shedding over six stones Jeanette is upbeat.
She explained: “I feel amazing now and I’m also physically fit.
“I go to the gym, I run, and take a PT Session with my husband each week, so I train four to five times a week.”
And, her mental health has benefitted, as she says the exercise has released “those happy hormones”.
It was a journey that had many struggles…
“I was challenged throughout my journey and wanted to give up all the time because I kept focusing on how far I had to go. At my heaviest, my day-to-day life was a series of challenges – from getting out of bed in the mornings with a sore back, to nearly crawling back into it at night with exhaustion.”
Now a size 12 and six and a half stone lighter, the 38-year-old has kept her focus by wanting to be a healthy mother to her son. From someone who struggled with even simple housework, Jeanette is positive and wants to inspire others, running We Slim Together classes in Dundonald, Bangor, and Newtownards.
“I had always been fat, so thought that’s just how my life was going to be, but it wasn’t and I changed that!”
For further information on groups or becoming a consultant visit www.weslimtogether.co.uk