Can’t wait for a big celebration

By Heather Murray

In 2018, my father passed away and I didn't notice myself caring less about my diet and healthy lifestyle.

My partner and I got engaged in 2019 and I knew I was not happy with my weight and wanted to look good in my wedding dress.

We were due to get married in 2020 and I felt like giving up with the weight I had put on over the struggles that were going on in my life and grieving.

I had heard great things about Slimming World but did not know if it was possible on a plant-based diet.

In March 2020, I decided I had nothing to lose by going to my first Slimming World meeting. I had just been made redundant and I did not have a very positive outlook at the time.

I didn't own a weighing scales at the time and I was quite shocked when I first weighed in. After talking with Sarah from the Mayfield group and learning that Slimming World is possible on a plant-based diet, I left the group that day determined to make it work.

I am so lucky that my partner was also very happy to eat Slimming World-friendly dishes and support me which made it so much easier. I had previously tried different plans and found it very restrictive and felt hungry all the time. Slimming World is more of a healthy eating plan rather than a diet – it’s all about balance and it’s made me more aware of why we eat the things we do and that it's possible to lose weight and not feel deprived or hungry. I am also diagnosed coeliac since 2007 and had to find a plan that could adapt, not only to my plant based lifestyle but also a be a coeliac friendly plan.

Due to Covid-19, we had to postpone our wedding for 2020 to 2021. Initially when I found out, I felt like giving up again but we set a new date for February 2021.

Even the weeks I wasn't confident in my weight loss, I left the virtual Slimming World group with new ideas and motivation with support from my Sarah and the Mayfield group.

When I bought my wedding dress it would only zip up with a struggle, when I tried it on again in January 2021, it was just perfect.

I’ve always been a foodie and enjoyed my food so in 2013 I started a food blog called Vegan Is The New Black on Facebook. This is where I showcase my recipes including how to adapt Slimming world to a vegan and coeliac lifestyle, review local vegan businesses and use this and on Instagram as a non-biased platform to help people interested in a healthy plant based and gluten free diet.

Since I had more time after being made redundant, I spent more time on making Slimming World-friendly recipes for my blog. I started making wheat-free peanut dog treats which I sell locally in Cork as well as my Etsy VeganisthenewblackIE.

Two stone down, creating my own small business and happily married after our Covid-19 wedding of six people including us, I have a more positive outlook than when I walked through the doors of Slimming World. I have achieved so much in that time. My plan is continue with Slimming World so my dress feels just as amazing when I get to showcase it at a celebration with family and friends as soon as restrictions allow. 2021 is looking good.

Heather Murray, nee O'Leary, is a blogger, veganisthenewblackie, on Instagram and Facebook and creates homemade dog treats as well as vegan lip balms and scrubs.