WESTBURY Slimming World consultants Kim and Katherine are hoping to inspire members for another fabulous year. With over 19 years’ experience between them they are ready to bring even more inspiration into their groups each week as they launch the brand-new members pack.
Kim said that helping other people change their lives and achieve their weight loss dreams has been her driver for 14 years. “To be able to watch people walk into group nervous and unsure, often lacking confidence and watch them fly out almost different people has got to be the most rewarding role I know,” she said.
The Cook family joined Kim’s 7pm Monday Leigh Park Community Centre group and have lost 17 stone between them.
“When Helen joined, she was really unsure as she is coeliac, but is now 6st lighter and enjoying cycling and walking, and eating a fabulous array of Slimming World free foods and still managing her diet so she doesn’t get flair ups,” said Kim. “Her husband Geoff has benefited too and totally enjoys the camaraderie in group; his son and daughter-in-law have joined in the family affair too and lost 9 stone between them. Harriet has signed up for the Bath Half Marathon, something 6st ago, she could only have dreamt of.
“The latest government figures reveal that around one in four adults are obese and it is estimated that, by 2034, this will increase to one in three so our roles have never been more important.
“We support members with diabetes, we are backed by the Royal College of midwives and we have a family-friendly support programme too.
“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 to group each week. it’s a privilege for me to be able to pass on my experiences, so that I can give my members the support they need to get to target.”
Katherine who runs groups on Thursday evenings and Friday morning in the Project said, “Being able to support members to lose weight and make a difference to their health is of great importance and that feeling of you’re not alone in groups is what has helped Trish gain her “Club 10 glow” (an expression Katherine uses to describe this milestone). The benefits of losing just 10% of your starting weight has so many health benefits – lowering blood pressure and cholesterol and reducing the risk of heart disease and certain types of cancer.
“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, in a Slimming World group, there’ll be tons of support, encouragement and fun.
“Often members join having tried to lose weight so many times before by following numerous diets but they were never sustainable because they would always get tired of restricting what they ate. Slimming World is different. It never feels like a diet, as 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.
“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.”
Kim and Katherine say they enjoy working together and creating a warm, supportive atmosphere to get people sharing their ideas and experiences to help others – “2024 is going to be another great fun-filled year!” they say. “Call to let us know you’re coming or just or just pop in.”
“You are invited to join us in group and get your fabulous new ‘New ‘member pack. Let us support you to your target weight. In 2024”
Kims’s Slimming World group is held at Leigh Park Community Centre every Monday at 4pm, 5.30pm & 7pm Call Kim on 07921 805006
Katherine runs Thursday evening groups at 5.30pm & 7pm and Friday mornings 8am, 9.30am & 11am at The Project