A JOHNSTONE mum is championing fitness in Linwood after shedding five stone in a year.

Sinead Mackay turned to Weight Watchers last January after having her first son the previous November, when she discovered she was five stone heavier than when she fell pregnant.

But Sinead has now turned her life around and has been spending most of this year as a Weight Watchers coach herself at Tweedie Hall.

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And she is now determined to help others achieve their weight-loss goals after her achievement.

Mrs Mackay said: “I started in January with Weight Watchers after having my wee boy in November. I was five stone heavier than I was when I fell pregnant.

“I felt unhealthy and unhappy with my weight. I was struggling uphill when out walking with the pram and saw my reflection on a window and couldn’t believe that was me.

“Also when clothes shopping around this time I couldn’t find any clothes to fit and, refusing to go to a bigger size, I lived in leggings and baggy tops for months.

“Weight Watchers changed my life completely with the help from my coach motivating and encouraging me along on my journey.

“It gave me the confidence to go on and apply to become a coach myself, and I am loving every bit of the journey.”

“I am still working towards my goal but I am helping and motivating others to achieve theirs while working in a great team.”

While Sinead was pregnant, she admitted she got into some bad eating habits and used her pregnancy as an excuse to indulge. 

She found herself eating lots of cake and sweet snacks as well as convenience food, such as takeaways. 

But thanks to Weight Watchers, she has now got into cooking her own meals regularly using recipe books. 

The 29-year-old added: “I never really felt like I was on a diet. Weight Watchers was just so flexible. You didn’t have to give up anything completely. As long as you plan your week, you can still have treats now and again.

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“I would like to thank my coach Susan Lynch. I couldn’t have done this without her.

“I look back and can’t believe I was that big. I feel like a different person now.”