Retired teacher continues to help the community
A SLIMMER who transformed her life by losing two stone is using her success to shape a whole new career helping other people change their lives and achieve their weight loss dreams too.
Sue had always been conscious of her weight but never really tackled her insecurities long-term, resulting in low confidence due to the way she felt. She had joined numerous slimming organisations previously, but never really embraced the lifestyle change, they were only ever short-term “quick fixes” hence Sue had never been able to lose weight successfully and keep it off.
She joined her local Tredegar Slimming World Wednesday group (5.30pm) 18 months ago and dropped from a size 14/16 to a size 10/12, eating all her favourite foods including cheese, curries, chillis and roast beef dinners while still enjoying a very healthy social life. It is important to Sue not to deprive herself and never feel hungry so Food Optimising with all the delicious free foods it offers within the plan is perfect.
She said: “It is so nice to be among people in group that don’t judge you – there is no humiliation just complete support from the group.
“It is like one big family of likeminded people who are there for the same reason.
“Image therapy really is the key to success as not only do you get the support you need for the week ahead, you also get tips along with recipe and food ideas.”
Sue recently retired after spending 35 years teaching in Georgetown Primary School and now, after losing the weight, she is feeling excited about the opportunity to continue to help others in the community by making them feel the way she does, by sharing her knowledge and experience as a slimmer who has struggled but who is now feeling happier, healthier and so much more confident in herself.
Now, she has trained as a consultant for Slimming World, the UK’s largest group-based weight-loss organisation, at their National Training Academy in Derbyshire.
Members at the group are getting ready to welcome Sue as their new consultant when she takes over the group in Ebbw Vale on Tuesday, November 19.
The latest government figures reveal that around one-in-four adults are obese and it is estimated that, by 2034, this will increase to one-inthree.
29% of the Blaenau Gwent’s population is now overweight or obese, and Sue feels that her new role has never been more important.
She said: “Obesity is becoming such a huge issue across the UK. When I first joined Slimming World as a member, I never dreamed that I would end up helping other people to lose weight but now I just can’t wait to get started. After losing two stone and completing my training, it’s a privilege for me to be able to pass on the experience, insight and understanding that has helped me, so that I can give my members the support they need to get to their target weight.”
“Support is really the most important thing. It all starts with the feeling that you’re not alone. I couldn’t have lost two stone without the weekly help, encouragement and understanding of my own consultant and group. As someone who has lost weight myself I know the challenges people can face, which is why, along with the group, I will be there to support every one of my members all the way to their chosen target weight. That’s why at my Slimming World group I will be creating a warm, supportive atmosphere to get people to share ideas and experiences and to help each other to overcome challenges and celebrate success.”
“Like such a lot of slimmers, I had tried to lose weight so many times before by following numerous diets, but they were never sustainable because I’d always get tired of restricting what I ate. I thought I was destined to struggle with my weight for the rest of my life, but when I came to Slimming World this time it was different. I made a promise to myself to take full advantage of the group support each week and stayed for ‘image therapy’ to get the ideas, motivation and support I needed to reach my target and stay there.
“It never felt like I was on a diet.
The eating plan encourages you to eat lots of tasty, filling foods like pasta, rice, potatoes, lean meat and fish. You are never hungry and no foods are banned so there’s no deprivation. I couldn’t believe I’d found a way to lose weight without starving myself.
“This time around I fitted ‘Food Optimising’ into my lifestyle. Rather than dieting I changed my way of life, which is something that now even as a target member I know I can easily continue.”
Slimming World isn’t just about changing what you eat. Becoming more active is important too. Our body magic programme takes the threat out of activity by showing people, many of whom have unpleasant memories of being forced to take part in activity at school, how they can 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. I love walking my dog and going to dance classes to get my body magic! As a consultant, it is now my role to create that warm, supportive group and to help people to become fitter and healthier.”
Like Sue, Slimming World Consultants are all former members who have lost weight at their local group themselves and groups are set up as micro businesses in the heart of local communities.
There are currently around 4,000 Slimming World 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 microentrepreneurs, consultants also learn how to build a successful communitybased business. Sue says she can’t wait for the new challenges running her own business will bring.
“For me becoming a self-employed franchisee was a great option. I wanted a job that was well paid and flexible and would fit into my new life, so launching my own Slimming World group was an ideal option. I feel like I’ve got a brand new career and I can’t wait for my new group to run now!”
Sarah Legge, who runs Slimming World groups and manages Sue 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 Sue’s experience of being a successful Slimming World member and her kind and warm personality and great sense of humour, I just know that she’ll be an amazing support to members, cheering them all the way to their target weight.”
Sue’s Slimming World group will be held at The Christian Centre (Apostolic Church) Ebbw Vale every Tuesday at 5.30pm from November 19.
For more information or to join Sue’s group either pop along on November 19 or call her on 0796 4338914.
Or for more information visit www.slimmingworld.co.uk or call 0344 897 8000.