Bride changed her career after losing eight stones
A bride-to-be who transformed her life by losing over eight stone, not only changed her name but now has a whole new career as she wants to help other people change their lives and achieve their weight loss dreams too.
Katie Hill (Turnbull) joined her local Slimming World group in Polbeth over two years ago and dropped from 20 stone 3.5lbs to 11 stone 13lbs in just 16 months.
Katie has now trained as a consultant for Slimming World, the UK’s largest groupbased weight loss organisation, at their national training academy in Derbyshire.
Now has now opened her own group in Wilkieston at The Scottish War Blind, Linburn Centre every Thursday at 7.30pm.
The latest government figures reveal that two thirds of adults are overweight and it is estimated that, by 2030, obesity levels will have increased to 40 per cent of West Lothian’s population, and Katie says 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 over 8st and completing my training, it’s a privilege for me to be able to pass on the experience, insight and understanding that helped me, so that I can give my members the support they need to get to target.
“Support is really the most important thing. It all starts with feeling that you’re not alone.
“I couldn’t have lost eight stones 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.
“Setting targets, sharing recipes and other ideas, and working together as a group to overcome challenges and celebrate success is so important to a successful journey.
“That’s why, at my Slimming World group, there’ll be tons of support, encouragement and fun.”
Katie continued: “Like 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 it was different.
“I never felt like I was on a diet. 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 couldn’t believe I’d found a way to lose weight without starving myself.
“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 going to the gym and love to run about with my little boy. Recently I really pushed myself to complete the Tough Mudder course and thoroughly enjoyed it and was awarded a Platinum Body Magic award.
“As a consultant it’s my role to create that warm, supportive atmosphere to get people sharing their ideas and experiences to help others - it’s going to be great fun!”
Like Katie, 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 4000 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 micro-entrepreneurs, Consultants also learn how to build a successful communitybased business.
Katie says she can’t wait for the new challenges running her own business will bring. “For me becoming a selfemployed franchisee was a great option. I wanted a job that was well paid, flexible and could fit around my family and part time work as a teacher, 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 groups to run now.”
Moira Rennie, who runs Slimming World’s Armadale group and manages Katie as a team developer, said: “Slimming World consultants are chosen for their positive outlook and because they genuinely care about the health and happiness of others.
“With Katie’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.”
Katie’s Slimming World group will be held at The Centenary Hall, Scottish War Blind Linburn Centre, Wilkieston every Thursday at 7.30pm.
For more information or to join Katie’s group either pop along call her on 0772 200 6961.
I thought I was destined to struggle with weight for the rest of my life but when it came to Slimming World it was different . . . Katie Hill