A BUSY working mum from Stalybridge who lost more than two stone with Slimming World has now become a Consultant herself to help others.
Jane Lyons wanted to make positive changes to her lifestyle for herself and her two daughters so joined her local group in Millbrook in 2018, having been a member on and off since 2009.
After achieving her target weight, she is now using her success to shape a new career helping other people also change their lives and achieve their weight loss dreams.
Jane said: “On returning to Millbrook, I was full of enthusiasm because I knew the support from my Consultant Marie Hare at Reach Church in Stalybridge was exactly what I needed to help motivate and support me to reach my goal weight.
“The welcoming, friendly atmosphere in group has meant I have met some inspiring people who have become my friends for life.”
Jane before and after her weight loss
Jane has now trained as a Consultant for Slimming World, the UK’s largest group-based weight loss organisation, at their national training academy in Derbyshire.
Both new and existing members in Stalybridge welcomed Jane as their new Consultant when she launched her new group on November 4.
Recent government figures reveal that around one in four adults is obese and it is estimated that by 2034, this will have increased to one in three. In addition, in children aged 10 to 11, one in five are very overweight.
Jane says her new role helping families to lose weight and live healthier lifestyles has never been more important.
She said: “By attending my Slimming World group weekly, I have come to realise that being a member isn’t about losing weight as a ‘quick fix’. It’s about making changes for good, to lose weight and keep it off forever.
“I know that I influence my daughters to make healthy choices and they really enjoy Slimming World food too. I want to extend that influence to local families now I have completed my training.
“I couldn’t have lost more than two stone without the weekly help, encouragement and understanding of my own Consultant and group.
“As someone whose weight has fluctuated all my adult life, I understand the challenges people can face. That’s why, along with the group, I will be there to support every one of my members all the way to their chosen target weight.”
At a Slimming World group, you encourage each other to achieve personal goals, celebrate one another’s successes, share advice, recipes, and most of all have fun.
Jane added: “The eating plan encourages you to eat lots of tasty, filling foods like pasta, rice, potatoes and lean meat and fish. You are never hungry and no foods are banned so there’s no deprivation.
“I still cook all of my favourite foods and just adapt them according to the Slimming World plan. I can still enjoy homemade kebabs, burgers, and curries.”
Becoming more active is important too and Slimming World’s Body Magic programme shows people how to build activity into their daily routine without having to take up traditional forms of exercise like going to the gym or running. Everything counts from walking to gardening to washing the car.
Slimming World Consultants are all former members who have lost weight at their local group. There are currently around 4,000 consultants across the UK and Ireland running 15,000 groups.
Consultants receive training in Slimming World’s healthy eating and physical activity programmes and learn how to use the power of group support to empower members to take control of their own weight loss journey.
As self-employed micro-entrepreneurs, Consultants also learn how to build a successful community-based business.
Louise Lee, who runs Slimming World’s Dukinfield group and manages Jane as a Team Developer, says: “Slimming World Consultants are chosen for their positive outlook and because they genuinely care about the health and happiness of others.
“With Jane’s experience of being a successful member and her kind and warm personality and great sense of humour I just know she will be an amazing support to members.”
Jane’s Slimming World group is held at Silver Springs Academy Primary School, School Crescent, Stalybridge SK15 1EA every Thursday at 6pm.
For more information or to join Jane’s group contact her on 07742 046 993.