Brought to you by The Weightloss Hub. 

Have you put on the quarantine fifteen?

If a year of stress, restrictions and general crisis management have left you carrying some extra pounds this spring, you’re not alone.

Studies show that nearly one-third of people in Ireland gained weight during the Covid-19 lockdown, as the pandemic sent us scrambling for comfort food, sugar and alcohol while closing gyms and cancelling fitness classes.

Now a new local Facebook group is helping members to shed the excess pounds before some form of social scene kicks into gear later this summer.

The Weight Loss Hub is an online community run by wellness guru Aislinn Cambridge, of the happiness coaching company Minister4Happiness and Jennifer O’Callaghan, a nutritional therapist and health coach at Everyday Wellness.

With over 20 years of experience between them, the duo came up with a set food plan designed to keep participants feeling full while they complete weekly challenges chosen to torch calories and blast away excess pounds.

It works too; at the first six-week programme The Weight Loss Hub ran earlier this year, participants lost an average of 9lb-12lbs each. The menu is simple and delicious, with easy breakfasts such as poached eggs and sliced avocado, filling homemade soups for lunch and tasty dinner options such as poached salmon with vegetable and homemade sweet potato wedges for dinner.

There are plenty of snacks too and members find nibbling on nuts, berries and natural yoghurt keeps the dreaded munchies at bay.

Food, exercise and mindset

“This is not a fad diet but a way of life and a holistic way of losing weight,” Aislinn told us.

“We work with people on food, exercise and mindset. Our weekly motivational talks and how we educate on food and exercise set us apart from most programmes and we also advise on which local markets and local health stores offer the best of food and supplementation. Some local health stores even offer a Weight Loss Hub member’s discount.

“Most importantly, our community is focused on connection; all of our members are very engaged and encouraged to participate fully in the group and support each other. Being a local group, people are using the opportunity to make new friends and have already made plans to meet up with each other for a walk or a cuppa after lockdown.”

One member said she found the group helped her form better habits: “I must say I have found the course and group brilliant. I am down 10Ibs overall and have made a lot of positive changes and habits to my lifestyle which I am loving. The main one being my sweet start to each morning… without the actual sugars of course!”

Another happy customer reports being down “12lbs since the beginning, delighted and really enjoying the healthier daily habits and all ’round healthier living.”

How do I join?

The next six-week programme begins on May 10th, 2021.

Weight Loss Hub membership costs €120 (the early bird rate is €99) and members receive all of the following:

• A food plan with recipes
• Weekly challenges
• Weekly chats with Q&A
• Meditations
• Health and happiness tips
• Nutrition talks
• Weekly interviews with surprise guests to inspire and motivate you.

To sign up for The Weightloss Hub’s six-week spring schedule launching on May 10th, 2021, check out the booking page on Eventbrite.