BUSY Lizzy

AN Ashbourne Slimming World consultant who has helped her group members lose a collective 30 stone during the lockdown is itching to give out the mountain of certificates she has been keeping safe for them as sessions finally get under way in person.

Lizzy Butterfield became Ashbourne’s newest Slimming World consultant in January, and had to get to know her new group over videoconferencing platform Zoom, because of Covid restrictions but it didn’t stop her helping everyone shed a huge amount of weight.

Now the restrictions have eased enough for members to meet at St Oswald’s Church Hall, she says she is already seeing a surge in new people joining up to shed some lockdown pounds.

Lizzie, 36, who lost more than three stone through Slimming World, said: “Some people might think I am utterly mad to have launched my Slimming World group in the middle of a pandemic – and it has certainly come with its challenges.

“For example, whenever a new group is being launched, ordinarily there would be a big promotion, and I’d be out posting leaflets through doors but obviously that can’t be done in a lockdown.

“So instead I’ve had to be very reliant on social media and word of mouth to raise awareness of my groups.

“Running virtual groups has been a lot of fun. It’s fascinating to see everyone in their home environments, and my pets have made several appearances over the past few months.”

Lizzy’s Thursday night virtual group started in January with just 10 members and, despite her not being able to promote it to the full extent, numbers grew quickly.

Since the lockdown started to ease, there has been a huge influx of people who have been waiting until the sessions can take off in person joining her evening groups, which now take place twice weekly.

But Lizzie remains proud of the members who stuck out the remote sessions and used them to help them achieve their weight-loss goals.

She said: “Slimming in a lockdown is in some ways harder and in others easier. Theoretically it should be easier as you are totally in control of your food – but there is constant temptation in the form of takeaways and we are still socialising, albeit virtually.

“Many have struggled with boredom-eating as well, as we have nothing else to do.

“Food and drink became the only ‘treat’ for many of us, as we couldn’t go out, so there were a lot of challenges.

“I have been so proud of my members though, they have made some fantastic lifestyle changes. Several have achieved their ‘Club 10’ awards during lockdown which means that they have lost 10 per cent of their bodyweight. “This can have a big impact on their health and can do things such as reduce raised blood pressure and risk of heart disease and stroke, lower cholesterol levels, reduce breathlessness and help your lungs to function better.”

Lizzy’s two evening groups run on Mondays and Thursdays and there are currently a selection of small sessions to choose from to ensure social distancing can be maintained.

She says the atmosphere at her first few face-to-face sessions has been “electric” as new and old members were finally able to return to a Slimming World group venue.

She said: “I am so proud of everything that my members achieved during lockdown. They have helped me to create a really lovely atmosphere in our group.

“It is very exciting being able to go back into face to face groups, albeit on limited numbers and with Covid measures in place.

“I am holding them on Monday and Thursday evenings at St Oswald’s Church Hall.

“I need people to pre-book in but would love to welcome many more people through the doors.”

To find out more, or to book a place, call 07941 786576.

Running virtual groups has been fun but it’s time to get meeting in person again.

Lizzy Butterfield