Being losers makes 11 slimmers winners
BEING the best at losing wouldn’t normally help you to scoop an award
– yet 11 people from Wokingham have done just that after being named their Slimming World group’s ‘Greatest Loser’ 2018.
That’s because between them the 11 members have lost more than a life-changing 71 stone to take the titles, awarded to Slimming World members who have lost the most weight and are an inspiration to fellow members.
Claire, who runs the Emmbrook and Woosehill groups, awarded one title to Jade who has lost almost seven stone.
“There’s absolutely nothing wrong with being a loser when it feels this good!” says Jade. “I feel like a new woman since losing weight – I look so different that people who I haven’t seen for a while often can’t believe I’m the same person. For me though it’s the change on the inside that’s been the greatest – I’m happier, healthier and much more confident now.
“I still enjoy all my favourite meals, but I’ve learned how to make small changes like using lean meat or cooking with low calorie spray instead of oil or butter. Our favourite family meal is cherry cola chicken with herby spring onion mash – it never fails”.
Another winner, Christine from the Salvation Army group in Sturges Road, run by Linda, has lost more than four-and-a-half stone.
“My weight impacted on so many aspects of my life, from struggling to find clothes that I like to fit to not being able to do simple everyday tasks without feeling tired and out of breath. Before I lost the weight I hated having my photo taken and whenever I saw pictures of myself I knew that my smile wasn’t real – yet now I’m beaming!”
Christine followed the club’s Food Optimising eating plan and made small swaps in her diet.
She says: “People think slimming means going hungry, eating nothing but salad or obsessively counting every calorie you eat, it’s not like that at all with Slimming World though.
“I love food and it’s never once felt like I was on ‘a diet’ – in fact, people are always surprised at how much food I have on my plate and can’t believe I’m losing weight eating so much delicious food and without ever feeling hungry”.
Why is the focus on weight loss so critical? Nationally, one in four adults has a BMI of 30 or more, which could put their health at risk. Obesity has increased from 15% of adults in 1993 to 27% now and costs the NHS an estimated £6.1 billion per year through medical costs.
A new initiative from Slimming World’s charity partner Cancer Research UK (CRUK), is aiming to increase awareness about the second biggest preventable cause of cancer in the UK – obesity. People who are severely overweight, with a BMI above
30, are more likely to suffer from health problems – obesity is linked to a reduction in life expectancy of between seven and nine years.
Each of Slimming World’s 18,000 groups in the UK and Ireland have their own Greatest Loser 2018 and winners go forward to a national competition.
Each winner is now waiting to find out if they in the running for the £3,000 cash prize.
Claire from the Emmbrook and Woosehill groups says: “I would love one of my own members to win but I know they didn’t lose weight to win a competition; they wanted to feel healthier and better about themselves and they’ve definitely done that.
“They look and feel great and that’s priceless.”
The Wokingham groups meet every Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday. To join call Linda on 07500 16800, Claire on 07973 141843 or Jane on 07855 016345, or just pop along.