Fabulous at 40

Looking at the radiant Sharon Shanahan it's hard to believe that she has struggled with her weight, nor that she recently turned 40!

However Brisbane Mum Sharon was a different person when she first visited Wesley Weight Management's Clayfield Clinic.

"I was a size 18 going on 20. Too tired to join family outings, I struggled to keep up with my daughters. And despite being bubbly and social I stopped going out as I felt unattractive."

The turning point for Sharon was the approach of her 40th birthday,

"I wanted to throw a girls only party and my aim was to be fit, fabulous and 40!", she smiles.

But after 14 years of trying to lose weight with another weight loss program Sharon was feeling despondent.

"I attended large group sessions where nobody noticed if I was feeling down after gaining weight or elated after losing it. The focus was on my weight - just that one number - not on me as a person."

When Sharon heard about Wesley Weight Management Clinic's weight loss program her skepticism disappeared.

"The health professionals at the Wesley responded to how I was feeling about my weight with genuine support, advice and encouragement. For example, after a few weeks of making good progress my weight loss halted. My Dietitian referred me to one the Clinic's Doctors who told me I was borderline Diabetic. I was able to stop blaming myself for lack of success and instead feel relieved that I'd visited the Clinic in time!"

And this support and attention made all the difference.

After six months Sharon had smashed her original goal of "getting close to a size 14" and reached size 12. Seeing her a year later she looks as gorgeous as ever and has maintained her size 12 figure.

She attributes her success to the Clinic Dietitians' individual attention and the feeling of control this encouraged.

"The Dietitians challenged me to determine how I could improve my lifestyle and eating habits, sparking my own ideas for achieving my goals."

And this feeling of control remains.

"When I started my weight loss program I was working stressful 14 hour days while caring for my family so I wasn't sure if I was going to be able to commit to it. But I focused and achieved my goals - I'm proud of that."

Sharon is also proud of being a healthy role model for her two daughters as they approach adolescence.

"I never want my daughters to feel as lethargic and unattractive as I did when I was a size 18. Seeing my new lease on life they've taken an interest in healthy eating and exercise."

Sharon's most glorious moment was hearing the astonished gasps from friends arriving at her 40th birthday party.

"I hadn't seen many of my girlfriends in more than six months. They were astounded by my weight loss!

"That night I felt much younger than my 40 years. We drank champagne, sang karaoke and enjoyed massages, tarot readings and henna tattoos. It was a fabulous evening!"

Sharon's friends pooled their money to give her a voucher to buys clothes. She laughs,

"I purchased some lovely clothes and have a newfound interest in fashion. But best of all I bought a pair of size 12 jeans and they don't squeeze me!"

For more information about the Wesley Weight Management Clinic's medically supervised weight loss program or to book your obligation-free initial assessment with one of our Dietitians, call 1800 567 348 or complete our online enquiry form.