Whitehall Slimming World group excited to getting their very own Slimming World Consultant

Whitehall Slimming World group were excited to learn that after two years, they will be getting their very own Slimming World Consultant; Amelia.

The group which meets Thursday mornings in the Beehive Centre on Stretford Road have continued to run during this time with the help of surrounding area Slimming World Consultants, and the dedication of the actual members themselves.

These members knew that attending group meetings ensured they had the support and tools to pursue their weight loss journey; they were not ready to let the group disband and with true community spirit they ensured it kept running.

When Amelia recently visited the group she recognised the collective spirit of the group, ‘they were so supportive of each other and truly wanted each other to succeed, the warmth of their welcomes would put any new member at ease.’ Amelia remembers what it was like to walk through the door for the first time, having made the decision to join a Slimming World group.

Amelia had always struggled with her weight; she would throw herself into the latest on trend diet and see an initial weight loss but would always put the weight back on when she stopped;

 

Amelia realised calorie counting and restricting certain foods only added to the problem and was never sustainable. It was in 2019 that a friend could see how unhappy Amelia was and told her about the Slimming World plan and how food optimising could change her attitude to food for ever.

 

Amelia took herself off to a group the next week, not telling anyone of her intentions. She sat in her car feeling so low and embarrassed, she says that when she reached the building she had a lump in her throat and wanted to cry, the words ‘how has it come to this’ was running through her head, but she knew that unless she did something positive it was only going to get worse.

Within 1 minute of walking through the door Slimming World Consultant Emma met her, and the black cloud started to lift. Amelia did not feel the shame she felt when entering the building and listened intently to the new member talk, ‘I was shocked to learn that I could eat pasta, rice and potatoes.’ Food optimising gives you the freedom to enjoy real food without ever feeling hungry; knowing this gave Amelia hope tat for once she may succeed. Amelia was doing well, throwing herself into Slimming World and seeing her confidence return as her weight went down.

 

Unfortunately, in 2020 the Covid – 19 pandemic and the subsequent lockdown meant Slimming World groups became virtual. Being a key worker Amelia was either too busy or too tired to eat properly and eventually she stopped attending group.

It was not until 2024 having gained the weight again that Amelia returned to group; ‘being returning member is difficult, you know what you need to do but it is hard the second time around and really difficult to find the motivation. I was disappointed and cross with myself that I had not continued.

But in a way I’m glad I’ve experienced what it’s like to do be a returning member; I’ll be able to help those who want to re-join our slimming world group navigate any barriers and share my own struggles and solutions’.

Upon returning to group Amelia didn’t embrace the plan with the same enthusiasm as her first time around; this all changed when a photograph (see above) was uploaded onto her work intranet for all to see.

I couldn’t believe it was me, in that moment I vowed to make a change’. Amelia messaged her Slimming World Consultant with the words ‘I’m mortified, if this doesn’t make me focus nothing will,’ from that week on Amelia has had consistent losses and reaped the physical benefits.

 

 

 

Losing weight has also had a positive impact on Amelia’s mental health, having healthy relationship with food is difficult for some, Amelia would often turn to food to make her feel happier when she was having anxious days, ‘for some time I have struggled with bouts of acute anxiety, I knew how important having a healthy diet and lifestyle can influence one’s mental health, but when you’re in the throes of anxiety it is difficult to make the necessary changes’.

 

This last year, with the help of her slimming world consultant and family, Amelia made positive changes to help herself. As well as food optimising Amelia embraced Slimming World’s body magic exercise program, ‘I have incorporated exercise into my day-to-day routine’, starting off with small walks and short Pilates sessions, she built up her stamina and that gained her body magic Gold award.

 

‘I know that if I exercise, I can clear my head of anxious thoughts and reap the physical benefits at the same time’. Having lost 3.5 stone Amelia feels it’s the time to help others, ‘whether it’s to improve physical or mental health, attending a Slimming World group could be the best decision you make, I am really excited to welcome old and new members to group and help them realise their goals’.

 

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