Glasgow woman hails NHS for ‘life-changing’ weight loss
A GLASGOW woman who lost seven stone in as many months after joining a Weight Watchers scheme funded by the NHS has urged others to sign up.
In the week that Glasgow is hosting the European Congress on Obesity, new figures show almost 70% of people completing tje programme lost five per cent or more of their body weight, with an average weight loss of 4.5kg, just under 10 pounds.
Those who completed the initial pilot, were able to attend further courses, where the average weight loss was over 26 pounds.
The scheme is funded by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde and run in partnership with WW, the new Weight Watchers and has been expanded, following a succesful pilot, to take GP and hospital referrals.
As well as following the slimming club’s menu plan, attending club meetings and boosting exercise uptake, participants are offered support from online coaches and a network of ‘motivators.’
Maria Lowther, 46, from Springhall, was referred by her GP at Craig Medical Practice in Tollcross.
Before she signed up, Maria tipped the scales at 21 stone and was a dress size 22. She now weighs just over 13 stone and has dropped four dress sizes.
She said: “If someone had told me a year ago that at the age of 46, I would be over 100lbs lighter, teetotal, no longer eating chocolate, sweets, crisps and takeaways, I would’ve laughed my head off.
“At the beginning of 2018 I was very ill for nearly six months, eventually being diagnosed with Fibromyalgia. I also used to suffer from sciatica and use a walking stick, and just decided enough was enough.
“My journey has led to the new me going back to work on June the 18th and hasn’t had a sick day off since. I love the new me and my new life.
“The simple things like being able to wrap a towel round me after a shower, and the big things like no longer needing my walking stick, make me realise how far I have come.
“My eating habits have changed dramatically from lots of chocolate, crisps, chippies, takeaways, burgers and kebab meat to much healthier lots of fresh fruit and vegetables, salads, healthy fry ups, chicken, turkey mince, eggs and I now love a roast beef dinner.”
“To any other NHSGGC patients thinking about being referred, if I can do it anyone can do it.”
Anna Baxendale, head of Health Improvement, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, said: “Tackling obesity is a key priority for us.
“Research has identified being overweight or obese in Scotland is the single biggest risk factor for cancer after smoking and is linked to 13 types of cancer.”