Latest news with #BodyMagic
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Richard's life is transformed after losing weight with slimming group
RICHARD Rawlinson was taking part in a motoring rally in Paris when he felt he needed to do something about his weight. 'I was competing in a rally in France and had stopped off in Paris. There's a picture of me outside Notre Dame which was my turning point picture,' he says. 'I looked at it and remember feeling heavy, my race suit had split at the side, and I was feeling unfit and sluggish.' Company boss Richard, 52, from Bradford, loves road racing in his spare time. He co-drives for a team which competes in the Northern off-road club and in the French championship. Co-driving in a rally Richard with wife Anne Marie The dad of grown-up children Caitlyn and Dylan, he is also a successful Slimming World target member, having lost more than three and a half stone in 2019. Richard, who runs a service engineering firm for the print and packaging industry, began attending Slimming World with his wife Anne-Marie, who was already a member. 'I wasn't going along to a group alone,' he says, 'When I started I felt relieved that a line had been drawn and I could see a solution to my increased weight.' Richard loves cooking and saw finding new ways to make meals as a bonus. 'Changing the way I cooked without adding fats and oils and removing fat and skin where I saw it, was the simplest of changes; filling up on vegetables and lean meats so that I felt satisfied and wasn't hungry, was key. ' I work away a lot and found it difficult to start with, but soon acquired the skills to navigate around a menu, avoiding choices that were smoothed or creamy and finding the better choices like grilled and boiled, meaning I could still lose weight.' When Richard was growing up he had juvenile rheumatoid arthritis - now known as juvenile idiopathic arthritis. His weight put extra strain on his leg joints, causing him pain. 'Keeping track of my weight is a great way to help my joints. I do sometimes get flare ups but these are few and far between now I'm at my target weight. 'Mentally and emotionally, I feel much better in myself, and not as self-conscious about my body, I still have to look again at the pictures of myself to see it's me.' Working on his fitness was important too. 'I was encouraged at group to build on my activity through Slimming World's Body Magic programme, an activity pathway that's rooted in behaviour change. Richard can't believe how he looks now Richard's diet is rich in vegetables (Image: Pixabay) 'We now have two beautiful border collies who can walk for ever; we've walked a few Lake District mountains and the Yorkshire Three Peaks, one at a time. I also set myself a yearly challenge, so far I've completed the Yorkshire Three Peaks twice, a 10K Tough Mudder, and completed the Couch to 5K - it doesn't feel normal to not have activity in my life.' He adds: 'I love our group, and even though I am at my personal achievement target, I still go as much as possible, my fellow members supported me on my journey, and now I see it as my job to encourage other on their way. There's tons of support, food ideas, and strategies and its full of fantastic inspirational people, who are making amazing changes to habits and existing lifestyles. 'I am proud of myself for losing weight and working on my health and wellbeing, I've been privileged to have be asked to co-drive for several off road teams, winning the 2023 and 2024 Northern off-road championship, as well as been invited to the Goodwood Festival of Speed. 'It's so much more than the weight you lose, it's the life you gain - go along to your local group to hear more.' *Find your nearest group at
Daily Record
01-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Record
Super slimmer who shed over three stone says support is key to her weight loss success
A super slimmer from Lanarkshire is backing research that shows weekly support is the key to long-term weight loss success. Tracey Jenkins joined the The Village Centre Slimming World group in East Kilbride and went on to lose three stone and four pounds and achieved her dream weight in November 2022. Even more impressively, she's kept the weight off ever since, proving she's made lifelong changes to her eating and activity habits. Tracey had thought about joining Slimming World for a long time before plucking up the courage to attend her first group. "I wasn't sure what to expect and was really nervous walking into the group for the first time", she said. "After that initial meeting, I realised that I wouldn't be judged as everyone was so welcoming and friendly as we are all there for the same reason. "With Slimming World, the support that I needed was there right from day one, both from my consultant and the other members in the group. Everyone in the group is really encouraging and helps to motivate you for the week ahead. "I pick up recipe ideas, different strategies for eating out and 'fakeaways' and I never miss a group. We have fun and support each other with our goals too and celebrate every achievement. I attend every week even though I have reached my dream weight over two years ago as I enjoy meeting up with everyone and hearing everyone's inspirations." The Food Optimising plan encourages members to eat lots of tasty, filling foods like pasta, rice, potatoes and lean meat and fish, so they are never hungry and no foods are banned so there's no deprivation. Tracey loves the variety of foods you can eat and still lose weight. Tracey added: "Since joining Slimming World my days are filled with healthy nutritious meals that fill me up and give me plenty of energy. My favourite meal that is a go to in our house is piri piri chicken bake. My husband does the cooking mostly so we eat the same meals so it is great to know I have had great support on my journey, even now I am at my target weight." 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. Tracey continued: "I feel I have so much more energy now with losing over three stones and I feel fitter and healthier in myself." Hazel Milligan, who now runs The Village Centre group said: "Tracey comes to groups every single week without fail and is a great support to her fellow members. She understands their journey having been on it herself and always had a kind and supportive word to say. Our group wouldn't be the same without her." Hazel's Slimming World group is held at The Village Centre, 12 Maxwell Drive, East Kilbride, every Tuesday at 5.30pm. For more information or to join Hazel's group either pop along or call her on 07821 440225 for any joining offers. *Don't miss the latest headlines from around Lanarkshire. Sign up to our newsletters here . And did you know Lanarkshire Live had its own app? Download yours for free here .
Daily Record
22-04-2025
- Health
- Daily Record
Scots super slimmer to get life-changing surgery after shedding seven stones
Food Optimising has now become part of every day life for Sandra who loves being able to shop, cook and eat healthier at home. A super slimmer who transformed her health has told of her joy at now being able to have life-changing surgery after losing more than seven stones. Sandra Rennie joined her local Slimming World group in East Kilbride after struggling with other ways to lose weight. She needed knee replacement surgery but was told her Body Mass Index (BMI) was too high to safely go ahead with the operation. Food Optimising has now become part of every day life for Sandra who loves being able to shop, cook and eat healthier at home. Sandra said: "I have achieved so much more than I ever thought I could and I am now only a few pounds away from my dream weight. I joined my local group in Westwood as I need a knee replacement and at a hospital appointment recently I was told that I am now in an acceptable range with my BMI for my operation." The Food Optimising plan encourages members to eat lots of tasty, filling foods like pasta, rice, potatoes and lean meat and fish, so they are never hungry and no foods are banned so there's no deprivation. Sandra added: "I love Food Optimising! It's become part of everyday life for me. I love being able to shop, cook and eat healthier at home and soup is definitely my favourite go-to quick meal. "Since joining Slimming World my days are filled with healthy nutritious meals that fill me up and give me plenty energy. Both of us at home love following the Food Optimising plan and I have support 100 per cent from my family to make the changes necessary to be a happier healthier me.' Slimming World isn't just about changing what you eat. Becoming more active is important too. Slimming World's Body Magic programme takes the threat out of activity by showing people 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. Sandra has went from having no energy to now keeping herself much more active. "Since losing weight, I can walk further without having to stop and catch my breath and I am now much more confident in my appearance which I wasn't before", she said. Slimming World, don't just celebrate the weight loss successes, they also celebrate every milestone. Sandra went on: "My biggest challenge to overcome was my mindset. I feel that if my head wasn't in the right place then it would be so easy to give up on myself. I am confident now that I have created new healthy habits for life that I won't go back to they way I was before as I have come too far. "I couldn't have achieved what I have without the support from Margaret and all the amazing people in group each week. I stay for group after weighing in every week which keeps me focused and motivated. I still learn new recipes and top tips and I know this will continue throughout my journey." Margaret Miller, who runs the Westwood Slimming World group, said: "I am so proud of Sandra as she has been committed to her weight loss journey. I've seen huge differences since Sandra has joined in her mobility and confidence. She is a different person now - knowing that when going on holiday she can make healthy choices and still enjoy herself." Margaret's Slimming World group is held at Our Lady of Lourdes, Canberra Drive, East Kilbride every Wednesday morning at 9.30am. For more information, pop along to the group or call 07731 115071 for any joining offers.
Yahoo
01-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Weight loss group 'super proud' to shed 618 pounds
A Monmouthshire weight loss group is celebrating after shedding 618 pounds in 2025. The 34 members of Sue's Slimming World group in Dingestow Village Hall have achieved this impressive feat since January 1. Sue Rigsby, who became a Slimming World consultant after reaching her own personal achievement target, said she is 'super proud' of her members. Having lost four stone 12lbs herself, she decided to train as a consultant for Slimming World, the UK's largest group-based weight loss organisation. Sue said: "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 after losing 4st 12lbs and completing my training, I believe that it's a privilege for me to be able to pass on the experience, insight and understanding that helped me, so that I can give my members the support they need to get to target." She highlights the importance of mutual support within the group, saying: "Support is really the most important thing. "It all starts with feeling that you're not alone. "I couldn't have got to target without the weekly help, encouragement and understanding of my own consultant and group. "As someone who has lost weight myself I know the challenges people can face, which is why, along with the group, I am to support every one of my members all the way to their chosen target weight." Sue also emphasised that Slimming World is about more than just diet. "Slimming World isn't just about changing what you eat," she said. "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." Sue's Slimming World group meets every Wednesday at 7pm in Dingestow Village Hall. For more information or to join the group, visit the Slimming World website.
