What an achievement this is.
Portlaoise man Mark Farrell has made an incredible weight loss of over two stone in six weeks. He went from 19 stone and one and half pounds down to 16 stone and 13 and a half pounds.
Mark, who took up UniSlim in Abbeyleix just after Christmas, wanted to lose weight for his wedding with fiancee Orla Bracken – which is taking place this Saturday.
“The wedding was the main reason I wanted to lose the weight,” said Mark.
Mark is a bus driver, and drives the Laois senior football panel to their away games.
His job means a long time of sitting down and little physical activity.
“I was just tired of feeling too big. I was always sitting down and going into delis during trips on the road. It was about making a healthy lifestyle choice,” said Mark.
As well as his wedding there was also another motivating factor to keep Mark going.
He said: “In January I was queuing up for healthy food in a deli when I heard someone behind me say: ‘He’s only getting healthy food now because he’s big and it’s the start of the New Year – where will he be in a few weeks?”
Well Mark is most definitely still here smashing his weight-loss goals.
Mark puts his down to mainly eating much better than before and sticking to meals – not snacking.
“It’s all about making the right choices. I used to go in and get a chicken fillet roll without really caring about what I ate.
“Now, I eat a healthy wrap and might feel like eating something 10 to 15 minutes after it but that’s only because I want a snack – I wouldn’t actually be hungry,” Mark explained.
“I’m on slimline milk, cut out cheese, and have bread within moderation. Preparing my food for the next day the evening before would be the biggest thing for me.
“It’s a big, big lifestyle change. Now I’d be looking at how many calories are in things whereas before I didn’t,” he added.
Mark praised the support of his family and fiancee Orla – and also from UniSlim leader Derek.
“It’s great to have him there. You know he knows what it’s like because he’s actually done it. Derek lost five or six stone in total so he’s knows how to help.
“He’s so easy to talk to and can give you a kickstart if you need it. Groups like this [UniSlim] actually bring people together.”
So what advise would Mark have for anyone thinking of starting the same weight loss journey?
“Don’t be afraid. Take the bull by the horns and just go for it. Don’t be worried if you think ‘God he/she is very heavy’. We’re all doing this together,” Mark concluded.
We wish Mark more continued success and a lifetime of happiness with soon-to-be wife Orla.
