Beautician loses almost 100 pounds by giving up daily fast food

By Ellie Forbes via SWNS

A beautician who gorged on takeout meals seven times a week has turned her life around - after losing 98 lb in just 18 months.

Sinead McCarthy, 31, tipped the scales at 280 lb during the first lockdown and said she felt disgusting after eating family sized chocolate bars every night.

But the mom-of-one was desperate to make a change and joined up with a coach who has helped her trim down from a size 22 to a 12.

She committed to a diet plan eating 1,700 calories a day, began weightlifting in the gym and made sure to get in between 10,000 and 15,000 steps a day.

Self-employed Sinead has a newfound confidence after slimming to down to 182 lb.

Sinead, from Barrhead, East Renfrewshire, Scotland said she hated getting up in the morning because of how she looked and would avoid mirrors.

She refused to have her hair done or wear make-up because she didn’t see the point – but was envious of her clients who enjoyed self-care treatments.

Sinead in Jan 2021, Size 22.
(Katielee Arrowsmith via SWNS)

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Sinead said: “The weight piled on gradually for a few years, I didn’t really see how bad it was until it was too late.

“I was having loads of takeaways, at least five a week but sometimes seven, and they were enough to two people.

“My snacking was out of control too, I wouldn’t eat normal sized chocolate bars it would have the big family sized ones.

“It was disgusting.

“I hated what I saw in the mirror so I just avoided looking in them, so then you don’t really realize how bad things get.

“I took no pride in my personal appearance at all.

“I wouldn’t get my hair done, I wouldn’t wear make-up, I didn’t do any self-care – I just thought what’s the point.

“That was really hard given my job.

“I would see what treatments girls were getting and wish it was me, I always felt inferior to everyone else around me."

Sinead now eats protein packed meals and goes to LIFT Glasgow gym seven days a week because she loves how it makes her feel.

She said: “I started out with a PT at the gym and then I signed up for a coach who wrote a program for me in the gym and a nutritional plan.

“I do weightlifting in the gym nearly seven days a week now and make sure to get some cardio done too.

“The first workout I did was horrific, two minutes in I thought I was going to pass out and had to sit down, it was so hard.

“But I was determined to get the weight off and change my life.

“The gym has become more of a mental thing for me now because it makes me feel so good and sets me up for the day.

“I don’t restrict myself anymore if I want to have a cake I will have one because one cake is not going to ruin all the work I have done.

“It’s like a physical and mental weight has been lifted off me now.

“I wake up glad to be here now, before it was such a struggle getting up every day.

“I lost myself for a few years, all my friends really noticed it and now they will say it’s so nice to have the real me back.

“It’s been a complete life transformation for me.

“I feel like I am just starting to live my life now which is incredible.

“I have a newfound confidence and freedom in my life like never before.”

Before:
Breakfast - Full fried breakfast
Lunch - McDonald’s or KFC with enough for 2 people
Dinner - Takeout, again enough for over 2 people
Snacks - Chocolate and crisps

After:
Breakfast - Boiled eggs and porridge
Lunch - Tuna/chicken, rice and veg
Dinner - Chicken/steak, potatoes and veg
Snacks - Protein bar or boiled egg