Health, Beauty and Lifestyle with Denise McNamara

Susan Grehan was a member of the Irish Defence Forces for over two decades, serving overseas and mainly based in the 6th Infantry Battalion and 2 Brigade Training Centre.

Last year she decided to retire so she could spend more time with her young children at their home in Athlone.

It also marked the beginning of her quest to become more healthy and lose weight.

“I’d always exercised, but, as the saying goes, you can’t out-train a bad diet,” she admits.

At her heaviest, her weight reached 15st 12lbs. Susan walked into Sinead Morris’ Slimming World class in Athlone feeling completely lost.

It wasn’t her first time with Slimming World. In 2014 after the birth of her first child, she’d experienced great success on the plan. However, the goal back then had been event-driven, not lifestyle-focused.

“There had been no real behavioural or mindset change, so once the occasion passed, so too did the plan.”

A decade later, with more on her plate and her confidence at a low, she knew she needed help — even if she wasn’t thrilled to admit it at the time.

“I remember feeling miserable and almost resentful that I had to be there. But deep down, I knew I couldn’t do it alone.”

With small, realistic goals, her mindset began to shift.

“This time, the real difference was the focus on long-term behavioural change and a healthier relationship with food. The first few weeks brought steady weight loss, but more importantly, a sense of control.”

Her family embraced her weight loss plan as well, enjoying simple homemade “fakeaway” favourites like loaded fries and burgers alongside classic staples like chilli and Bolognese. Within three months, she had shed three stone.

“Before I knew it, I was sharing Food Optimising recipes and tips in group and had collected several ‘Slimmer of the Week’ awards. For the first time in years, I felt like myself again.”

Her transformation not only reignited her own confidence — it sparked a change in her mum, a longtime on-and-off Slimming World member, who reached her own target shortly after.

“For the first time in my life, I saw my mother happy with herself. I grew up watching her try every fad diet there was. Now, she has real control. My story doesn’t exist without hers.”

Six months after rejoining, Susan reached her target weight, losing a total of 4st 7lbs — just in time for her 40th birthday.

“It was a dream come true. Buying clothes without worrying about the fit. Not hiding from the camera anymore. One member asked if I had any ‘before’ pictures, and I said, ‘No — because I didn’t know there was going to be an after.’”

The Slimming World plan involves grouping foods into three categories: Free Foods (like fruit, vegetables, pasta, rice, lean meat, fish, eggs, beans – which you can eat freely in satisfying amounts), Healthy Extras (measured portions of foods that provide important nutrients, such as fibre-rich cereals, bread, and dairy for calcium), and Syns (short for “synergy” – treats like chocolate, crisps, alcohol, or sauces, which are limited but still allowed daily in small amounts).

The idea is that by filling up on Free Foods, adding essential Healthy Extras, and enjoying Syns in moderation, you can lose weight steadily while still enjoying variety and flexibility in your diet.

“I had previously tried Weight Watchers and found it very restrictive. Slimming World helped me change my behaviour around how I consumed foods. It allowed me to make my own choices and with simple swaps I could still enjoy all the tasty meals I liked previously but changed the way I prepared them.”

She says she’s no fancy cookbook queen, preferring to stick to the foods she loves, but changing how she shops, cooks and eats. Her favourite meal on the plan is the Taco Loaded Chips. With weight loss drugs now taking over the billion-euro weight loss injury, the cost of going on these medications keeps them out of reach for many struggling with weight. The likes of Wegovy costs around €220 per month and neither it or other drugs such as Ozempic or Mounjaro have been approved under the Drug Payments Scheme.

“People who use weight-loss medications are very welcome at Slimming World as it will help them repair their relationship with food so they are better prepared should they cease medication,” advises Susan.

The native of Athlone has trained as a Slimming World consultant and is about to relaunch the group in Ballinasloe.

“I’m forever grateful to Sinead and her members. They gave me a new life. I want to create that same safe, non-judgmental space for others — somewhere people can feel supported and seen, just like I did.”

She hopes her own journey — one of setbacks, persistence, and transformation — will inspire others to believe in the power of starting again.

“We all have different stories, but we can achieve so much when we support each other. The group support is what got me through. It’s the sharing of journeys and tips and trick at group that really inspire you.

“Everyone at group is there for the same reason as you and that is what got me through. And when I was having a really successful journey, the members at group made me feel ten feet tall.”

The group will be relaunched by Susan on September 23 in the Shearwater Hotel at 5.30pm and 7pm. Membership is €9 with a weekly fee of €10.

Pictured left: Susan Grehan before she rejoined Slimming World.  Right: Susan after shedding the stones.