Lots of people make the decision to lose weight because they want to look better and feel more confident. But for many, the choice is based around their health.
Rae Gunn, a Slimming World consultant in Angus, has seen many members start in her group after being told by medical professionals that they need to drop some pounds.
She said: “Our members come to us for all sorts of reasons, but more and more it’s about health and wellbeing.
“People are restricted by medical conditions, stress, lack of confidence and much more, and through Slimming World they can get the chance to really be themselves.”
One of Rae’s members, Alison Strachan, joined the class to lose weight so that she could have a much-needed hernia operation.
“When she came to us, her GP had told her she had to lose eight stone to get the operation,” Rae explained. “She had to walk with a stick, she’d had post-natal depression and she just had no confidence.
“Now, two years later, she’s lost 14 stone, she’s had her operation, she looks stunning and she doesn’t need the stick anymore!”
Another member, Roberta Coats, joined Rae’s classes five months ago. She’d been diagnosed with a rare form of cirrhosis of the liver, that isn’t caused by drinking, and her consultant at Ninewells had told her that if she lost some weight it would help her condition.
“Roberta has lost over two stone and when she recently went back to the consultant for tests, she’d gone from one end of the scale to the other. The consultant was so pleased with her progress.”
Rae added: “You can really see the difference in her, and not just because of her health. She came in very quiet and now she’s such a big part of our group. One of her sons came up to visit her and he hadn’t seen her since she started with Slimming World and he was blown away by the difference too.”
Other members have also seen fantastic results due to their Slimming World journeys. Diabetics needing less or no medication, painful joints getting better due to less strain on them and even people being able to get rid of their blood pressure medication.
Rae said: “It’s such a good feeling to see our members make this progress and be able to make positive changes in their lives. We are rooting for them every single week and I love being able to give them the certificates that show how much they have managed to lose.”
Slimming World helps members to succeed through a combination of compassionate and caring support to make healthy changes to the way they and their families shop, cook and eat by following Food Optimising. Along with Body Magic – the Slimming World term for getting active – Slimming World tackles both the physical and psychological causes of being overweight.
To find out more or to check what classes are nearest you, search for “Slimming World Angus Mearns” on Facebook.
