THE SAYING goes, ‘a problem shared is a problem halved.’ Well, sharing your desire to slim can certainly lift a weight off your shoulders – as well as other parts of your body.
Just ask Andrea, who found attending Guide Bridge Theatre’s Slimming World group on Saturday mornings helped her achieve her goal – she lost more than six-and-a-half stone.
It even had a knock-on effect at home. For husband Andy has himself lost one stone 11lbs.
A total of 120lbs between them.
Andrea, whose favourite recipe is the tandoori chicken traybake and favourite go to snacks are chicken drumsticks and pickled onions, said: “Being a secret squirrel with my diet didn’t work. After I joined my local Slimming World group, I realised I wasn’t alone and I lost 6st 11lbs!
“Slimming World is a weight loss programme like no other. Millions have reached their dream weight with our generous no-hunger plan.
“Add an activity plan that starts when the time’s right for you, plus unbeatable support, and you’ll soon discover the Slimming World difference.
“Is 2023 a new year for you?”
“I NEVER FELT ALONE”: Andrea said: “In the past I’d tried to lose weight but often on my own. I would start counting calories or cutting out carbs.
“I thought it would be easier that way than making a big fuss about trying to slim and then not being successful, but ironically because of that it never worked.
“When I joined, it took a lot to walk through the doors because I thought I would be judged but everyone was so friendly and welcoming.
“I expected it to be restrictive and prescriptive – I thought I’d be weighed in front of the whole group, told what to eat and given a weight I should be.
“I couldn’t have been more wrong. I was weighed privately, my weight was confidential and I chose my own target weight.
“I found the Food Optimising eating plan was flexible enough to fit around my life and the things I enjoyed eating, so I never felt hungry and being in a group of people, who were all like me, from the same place as me, made me realise I wasn’t alone and I started to feel like if they could do it, so could I.
“And, this time, with the support of a group I did!”
WHAT ARE ANDREA’S FIVE TOP TIPS?
1. Take time out – plan meals & make a shopping list, going to group, listen to the podcast – you time
2. It’s OK to walk before you run! small goals will make you feel great
3. Be kind to yourself
4. Strike a balance. It doesn’t have to be all or nothing approach
5. You don’t have to go it alone
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS?
“I can move so much easier, I walk every day with my fur babies, my energy levels are so much better and even the simplest steps are so much easier now!”
DESCRIBE YOURSELF THEN IN THREE WORDS
Depressed, miserable, self-conscious
AND NOW?
Fantastic, alive, 10 feet tall
ANDREA’S Slimming World success has even led to a career change – she is now one of their consultants and has opened two groups in Haughton Green.
She exclaimed: “I love my job! I have amazing new friends and a fantastic career!
“I love Slimming World and what it has done for me. I am so proud of myself and our lovely group and when my consultant approached me I was excited and nervous to even look at it.
“But I went to an ‘opportunity event,’ which is an informal information session, I was told everything involved and that is when I really thought, ‘I would love this!’
“I was amazed by the training and head office is a gorgeous building – with Slimming World food of course.
“The support I get is also amazing. My manager, Jane, is so lovely and supportive and we also have a consultants team too, so EVEN more support.
“It really is best of both worlds. I’m self-employed with my own franchise, yet I get all the support too!
“I think members can see how much I love my role, I’ve been able to open two groups in Haughton Green now and in the future would love to open a morning group!”
*THE NEXT Slimming World recruitment event is on Sunday, January 29, from 4pm until 6pm at The Village Hotel, Waterfold Business Park, Rochdale Rd, Bury BL9 7BQ
For more information or to book a place, contact Jane Sigley on 07775 996645.
