Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
Consultant Irene Goldie
Hilary Neeson is finally the “healthy mum” she always dreamed of being after managing her weight through pregnancy.
The Airdrie slimmer reached her target weight in the summer of 2016 and has maintained her slimline figure, despite recently giving birth to her baby daughter Julia.
Hilary, who is a member of Pilgrim community centre’s Slimming World group, said: “When I discovered that I was pregnant, I spoke to my Slimming World consultant right away; she told about Slimming World’s pregnancy policy and asked me to speak to my midwife about continuing to manage my weight.
“When I learned that Slimming World has a special policy to support pregnant mums, developed in partnership with the Royal College of Midwives, I was reassured.
“My midwife was happy to let me carry on following Slimming World’s healthy eating plan – and going to group.”
Hilary’s group consultant Irene Goldie was on hand to offer the mum-of-three advice every step of the way, as Hilary explained: “Irene said that gaining extra weight could put the baby and my health at risk and that I was more likely to develop conditions like high blood pressure and gestational diabetes.
“She advised that, while losing weight during pregnancy wasn’t recommended, managing my weight by avoiding gaining a lot of excess weight would help to avoid complications.
“Slimming World has changed the way I think about food, and it was wonderful to know that I was making the best choices to manage my weight healthily throughout my pregnancy.”
After giving birth to baby Julia, Hilary’s pregnancy weight quickly began to drop off as she stuck to her new healthy programme.
She said: “Since having Julia I’ve now lost 21lbs and my target is just around the corner.
“It was great because I knew that, by managing my weight throughout my pregnancy, I’d have less to lose afterwards.
“I’m planning to keep up my healthy habits and ensure Julia and my other two children are as fit and strong as they can be.”
Consultant Irene added: “We’re all so proud of Hilary and what she’s done to improve not only her own health, but the health of her family and new baby.
“We don’t encourage weight loss or ‘dieting’ during pregnancy – instead we support women to adopt a balanced, healthy diet to prevent excess weight gain.
“We have a specially-adapted version of our healthy eating plan for pregnant members, that women like Hilary can stick to during pregnancy and when breastfeeding.
“Many women who come to my group tell me that their weight problems began when they became pregnant with their first child; and that they gained more weight with successive pregnancies.
“I tell them that it doesn’t have to be that way, and that at Slimming World expectant mums can make simple and straightforward changes to the way they shop, cook and eat to prevent excess weight gain while pregnant, and manage a healthy weight after birth.
“Hilary is a shining example of how this can be done and I know she’ll keep these changes up for the health and happiness of her family.”
Irene’s group meets at Pilgrim community centre every Tuesday at 3.30pm, 5.30pm and 7.30pm and Wednesday at 5.30pm and 7.30pm; for more information, contact her on 07931 324548.
To find out further details about how Slimming World works with the Royal College of Midwives, visit www.slimmingworld.com/ mums