Slimmer meet-ups reopen after months of virtual meetings

SLIMMING WORLD GROUPS ACROSS MANCHESTER ARE REOPENING AFTER MONTHS OF ONLINE WEEKLY GROUPS

SLIMMERS across Manchester are making a ‘comeback’ as their Slimming World groups reopen, with local Slimming World consultants excited to be back helping members lose weight and improve their health.

Since March, Slimming World has been supporting members virtually in online weekly groups, when lockdown closed all of the organisation’s community groups. Now, following the current easing of restrictions in many areas, real-life groups are beginning to reopen step-by-step.

Consultants are putting measures in place to ensure groups fully comply with government guidance so that members can return safely to their much-loved Slimming World group from August 10.

WHAT THE CONSULTANTS SAY

Tim, who runs a city centre group, said: “I’m delighted to finally be back together with my members! Our virtual groups have been a vital lifeline of support and I’m so, so proud of how my members have been there for each other through these difficult months and continued to lose weight and get more active.”

Bernie, who runs a group in Timperley, added: “There’s nothing quite like the magic of our real-life groups. Research of our members during lockdown has shown that while our members have loved attending their virtual groups they’ve missed the motivational power and accountability of meeting in person each week.”

Jodie, who opens her first group in Ashton upon Mersey soon, says the health and safety of members has been her top priority in planning the return of her group: “Members have found a few things have changed in our groups to ensure that everyone feels as safe, confident and comfortable as they possibly can.

“This includes appropriate social distancing, hygiene measures and shorter sessions, which we ask members to book in to before attending.”

Amanda, who supports her members in her Burnage groups, says: “What hasn’t changed is the warm welcome, feeling of togetherness and the joy of being ‘in it together’ week on week.

“As well as looking forward to ‘that feeling’ of being back together with our existing Slimming World members, we can’t wait to welcome new members to our groups too.

“Obesity is a huge issue in the news at the moment with evidence showing that carrying extra weight makes it harder for the body to fight Covid-19, and the Government announcing brand-new plans to tackle obesity across the UK – which Slimming World are very proud to be part of.”

Jo, a new consultant in Wythenshawe commented: “I want anyone who’s worrying about their weight or health – especially if they’ve put on a few extra pounds during lockdown – to know that there will be absolutely no judgement at a Slimming World group – just lots of understanding and a very warm welcome.

EASY, DELICIOUS AND GENEROUS

At Slimming World, losing weight isn’t about going hungry – the eating plan is extra easy, delicious and super generous. And moving more doesn’t mean running marathons – unless you want to, of course.

Stuart, who runs a team of consultants in Salford, says: “Our groups are hubs of recipe-swapping, ideasharing and problem-solving activity.

“Through our weekly sessions, you’ll discover how to identify the stoppers and potential pitfalls that could send you off track – or that have maybe prevented you from reaching your weight-loss goals in the past – and learn to develop strategies to overcome them.

“The healthy habits you’ll discover will soon become habits of a lifetime, and there really is no better time to start afresh when it comes to developing new lifelong healthy habits around food and activity because, as many of the members of my groups have seen, when you lose weight you’re already doing one of the very best things you can to future-proof your health.”

To book onto your local group, visit slimmingworld.co.uk. Due to new safety measures, all members are asked to book into a group before attending.