'Cambridge is the key to my success'

Ireland’s first Cambridge Weight Loss and Management Centre has opened its doors in Blackpool.

Down through the years Cambridge has helped thousands of people in Ireland and abroad to lose weight. One of those people is Linda Healy from Mayfield, who was Ireland’s representative at the first Cambridge International Slimmer of the Year in 2008. She came fourth in the competition. Now in her thirties, Linda has two children, aged 14 and 11.

"From the time I hit my teens I battled with my weight. Down through the years I tried many diets, I lost some weight but got fed up quickly and regained it all. After the birth of my daughter I weighed a hefty 14.7 stone. I couldn’t even lose weight for my wedding day the following year and by then I was 16 stone and a size 20.

"The year after my wedding I gave birth to my son by which time I had gained a further stone. Both of my children were born by Casearean Section and I had complications due to my excessive weight."

"A family holiday in Australia really brought the issue home to me. I was badly affected by the heat and my weight prevented me from taking part in so many things. Around this time my sister had started the Cambridge diet and was doing really well so I agreed to go and meet a counsellor.

"I was very skeptical but having met and spoken to Carol Hart I started on the Sole/Source programme. After just three days I got a huge energy boost and after week one I had lost nine pounds and a month later I had lost over a stone! So began my journey with Cambridge which I can say has changed my life in such a wonderful way. With Carol’s help and constant support the weight kept dropping off. If I had a bad week she was always there to reassure me and make me believe in myself.

"After nine months I had dropped five and a half stone and had gone from a size 20 to a size 12! That was over three years ago and despite what people predicted since then I have kept the weight off! While on the Cambridge Weight Loss and Maintenance Plan I learned what foods to eat and what to avoid. That was key to my success. I now eat regular food but if I start to stray I just contact Carol and I get back on track. I’m very happy with the way I look now, my health has improved beyond measure and I no longer need to nap in the afternoon and I have more energy than I had when I was a teenager!"