Cork woman who lost 23 stone is now running a club to help others transform their lives

Finding our happy place is always a joy to behold, and on the sunny Sunday morning I visited, everybody was in a happy place at The Happy Body Club in Wilton.

Carol Murray is leading the group with her business partner Naima Bouncir.

Little wonder Carol is in a happy place. She has shed a remarkable 23-stone in weight.

“That journey has completely changed my life,” says Carol, “and inspired me to open The Happy Body Club on Sarsfield Road.”

What is the club about?

“The club isn’t about quick fixes or fad diets,” says Carol, who is from Midleton.

“It’s a supportive wellness community where people can come for body composition scans, personalised nutrition coaching, accountability, and education - whether their goal is weight loss, weight gain, better health, more energy, or simply feeling happier in themselves.

“I am turning my personal journey into something that’s helping others transform their own lives.

“Our aim is to provide guidance, accountability, and encouragement that people need to succeed.”

How was Carol’s life transformed?

“Whenever I fostered children, I’d dream of joining in with them at the playground, climbing up the climbing frame, pushing them on the swings and roundabouts,” she recalls. “I was too heavy to do any of that. Physically, I couldn’t do it.

“I had no energy. I was tired all the time, suffered terrible headaches, poor sleep, weak hair, and nails, and I was just miserable. I often thought, what’s the point? I’m always going to be overweight.”

Something else made her miserable.

“Seeing others play with the children I was caring for broke my heart,” says Carol. “I was always at the side of the pool when they went swimming.

“Somebody else was always in the water with them. It was never me.”

Now it is all different.

Her happiness is infectious.

“My husband, Don, has lost four and a half stone now too,” says Carol. “It is a new lease of life for us.”

Don is in his happy place.

“Carol is just amazing with what’s she’s achieved and how she is helping others to improve their lives by sound, solid health and nutrition advice,” he says.

“Carol always battled with her weight even when we first met. Now there is a crazy difference.”

So Don is married to a new woman?

“Yes, I am!” says Don. “And she is a wonderful woman.”

At her heaviest, Carol was between 36 and 38 stone

“Over the years I tried everything to lose the surplus stones,” she says.

“Slimming World in Midleton was a great find and I had great success with the club. I joined weighing 20 stone and I lost 11 stone with them. Slimming World provides a healthy do-able plan for the members.”

However, Carol’s battle with weight wasn’t all one-way.

“During covid, I put on three-and-a-half stone, and I heard about Deansrock Nutrition by word of mouth. I wanted to know more. I signed up as a member, had a 10-day induction and I lost one and a half stone.”

Carol also met Naima, who was buzzing with energy and joie de vivre.

“I said to myself, I wonder what she is doing? She’s bouncing around the place. I asked her and she told me the nutrition plan worked very well for her when she couldn’t shed the weight after two pregnancies.

“We became good friends who understood what it takes to change the habits of a lifetime and practice good nutrition and discipline in order to live our best lives.”

Now Carol and Naima are the leaders of The Happy Body Club.

“My mum and my sister always struggled with their weight too,” says Naima.

“I brought them along to Deanrock Nutrition when I had my last baby. The nutrition plan is very good, and we learned how to understand our bodies more. Our eating plans were tailored to us individually.

“I came up with the idea of starting The Happy Body Club with Carol. We had both been on our own personal weight-loss journeys. Now we had the knowledge and the know-how to help others achieve their goals.

“We concentrate on overall wellness, offering one-to-one coaching, and individual meal plans as well as nutrition advice.

“Having structure in your day is so important. Often, I would have had five coffees before lunchtime!”

What does she have now before lunchtime?

“A herbal tea and a delicious smoothie,” says Naima. “I am no longer lethargic, and I feel good waking up every morning ready for the day ahead. The discipline comes naturally now.”

The food cravings come naturally too. Like craving for chocolate.

“Sorted!” says Naima, whose background is in social care. “You can always drizzle some chocolate sauce over a protein bar.”

That would make a lot of people happy.

“It does!” says Naima. “Give it a try.”

Lots of enthusiastic men and women are here to give The Happy Body Club a try.

“I was on a list for a knee replacement,” says Mags O’Donoghue. “I joined The Happy Body Club online and it is working a dream for me.”

How?

“I got to like the herbal tea, and I still have my roast chicken dinner. I had more mind to do things and I started walking. Now I am off the list for a knee replacement.”

For teacher Sarah Browne, life is beginning at 30.

“My sister was going to be 40 and I was going to be 30. I have two kids and I had a lot of baby weight when I joined The Happy Body Club a year ago. Our ‘0’ birthdays prompted us to join.

“I was dress size 18 to 20 when I joined. Now I am size 12 to 14. I am getting married next year, and my wedding dress will be a size 12.

“My break-time snacks are planned now,” says Sarah, “I keep my carbs allowance for dinner, and it works very well.

“Before, I’d be eating away while I was cooking dinner. Not anymore!”

Why has The Happy Body Club worked for Sarah and her sister?

“I think I came here without any expectations,” says Sarah.

“Over a short period of time, my mindset changed with my attitude to food. I have two dogs who I walk in the evenings. I used to be panting when I’d get home. Now I am not walking, I am jogging!”

Is Gavin, her fiancé, happy?

“I have to get a whole new wardrobe,” says Sarah. “So I’m not too sure about that!”

Orli Follman is on board as a leader of The Happy Body Club. She is married to a triathlete.

“He came to the club for advice regarding muscle mass and he needed an evaluation on his overall wellness/ nutrition programme,” she says.

Now he’s good to go.

“He is for sure!” says Orli.

“For me, joining The Happy Body Club was all about gaining confidence. For us, it is a way of life.”

Now she has loads of confidence to instil in others.

Every new member begins with a complimentary wellness evaluation, including a body composition scan that measures body fat, muscle mass, hydration levels, and other key health markers.

“This gives us a starting point to create personalised nutrition and wellness goals,” says Carol.

“Members receive ongoing one-to-one coaching, regular progress, reviews, education around healthy habits, and the encouragement of a friendly, supportive community.

“We believe that lasting results come from small sustainable changes rather than quick fixes.

“Our club is open Monday to Friday from 6.30am to 12.30am and Saturdays from 7.30am to 10.30am, making it easy for people to fit their health journey around work and family life.”

They are all in it together.

What happens when you come through the door on the first morning on the way to a better health journey?

“We all have breakfast together!” says Carol.

Now that will make a lot of people happy!