Latest news with #TwoTogether
Powys County Times
6 days ago
- Health
- Powys County Times
Powys twins through to Slimming World national finals
TWIN sisters from Powys have made it through to the national finals of Slimming World's 'Two Together' competition after losing an incredible 7 stone, 7.5 pounds between them. Kat James and Nat Morgan joined their local Slimming World group because they were frustrated at not being able to buy clothes that would fit them in high street stores. Since then, they've transformed not only their weight, but their health, habits and confidence too. They won the title of Brecon Slimming World's Two Together competition – which recognises and celebrates duos who are supporting each other on their weight loss journey. This earned the twins a place at the national finals. 'What I've love most about Slimming World is how free I've felt,' said Kat, who once weighed 13st 7lbs and is now 9st 6.5lbs. 'When I've tried losing weight before I felt restricted and couldn't sustain it for long. I never thought I'd lose weight without giving up all the foods I enjoy like pizza, cheese and fast food, but I've learnt lasting weight loss is about balance – not restriction. 'My consultant Shelly helped me to see how the ideas from other members in the group could help me overcome my own personal hurdles and stoppers. 'I've learnt so much from everyone in the group and felt supported by Shelly every single step of the way. The group is just incredible, it's like a second family now.' Nat, who has gone from 13st 12.5lbs to 10st 5.5lbs, said the journey wouldn't have been the same without the group, and Kat. 'There were weeks when I felt like giving up, but having Kat there too made all the difference,' she said. 'We've planned our weeks together and kept each other focused. And the group has cheered us on, picked us up when we needed it and shared so many great tips. 'I look forward to it every week and catching up with members who've become friends. It's a space where I feel understood, never judged and always inspired.' As they lost weight, the pair also found themselves embracing a more active lifestyle. 'Before joining Slimming World, even the idea of exercising felt overwhelming,' added Nat. 'But my consultant made me realise I could take small steps towards my goals and hearing how others had started small made me believe I could do it too. 'I began by joining a gym and slowly built up my activity. Now, I go up to four times a week and I genuinely enjoy it.' Now, group winners Kat and Nat have reached the semi-finals at Slimming World's head office in Derbyshire, where they will be joined by 12 fellow pairs to share their inspiring stories. A judging panel will select the overall winners. Shelly Willetts, who runs the Brecon Slimming World group, said: 'I'm beyond proud of Kat and Nat. Their dedication, positivity and the way they lift everyone else in group is just amazing. 'They're living proof that with the right support and the right tools real change is possible. 'They've shared recipes, celebrated milestones and kept each other focused, they've overhauled their habits together and found their sparkle again.'
South Wales Argus
22-04-2025
- Health
- South Wales Argus
Chepstow couple lose seven stone with Slimming World
Gerwyn and Sarah Lewis, from Chepstow, were motivated to change their lifestyle after a candid photo highlighted their weight gain. The couple, who married in 2006, admitted they were struggling with their size, with Sarah having difficulty moving, breathing, and leaving the house. The photo that changed everything for Gerwyn (Image: Supplied) In April 2024, they joined a Slimming World group in St Arvans, Chepstow, where they learned about "Food Optimising" and how changes in mindset and eating habits, alongside increased physical activity, could help them lose weight. Gerwyn had been in the habit of buying several chocolate bars a day from a vending machine at work, while Sarah had become reclusive, comfort-eating to "feel better." Sarah admitted she was comfort-eating to 'feel better' (Image: Supplied) After joining Slimming World, the couple overhauled their diet. Gerwyn, who enjoys cooking, took charge of the new menu. Crumpets with butter for breakfast were replaced with porridge. Lunch became lean ham, pickles, and fruit instead of leftovers, and dinners of ready meals or heavily-buttered home-cooked meals were replaced with fish, salads, and omelettes. Snacks of crisps and chocolate were replaced with tubs of blueberries or carrot sticks. The couple also began walking their dogs more frequently. Gerwyn hit his target weight in September, shedding three stone in six months, while Sarah reached her target weight a year after they joined the group, losing just over four stone. Gerwyn shed four stone in six months through Slimming World (Image: Supplied) Having lost a total of seven stone between them, the couple have now reached the finals of Slimming World's Two Together competition. This competition recognises couples who have lost weight together, with the winners receiving the title and £1,500 each. Sarah said: "We feel so much better. I love going out now. We still go to group and weigh, we aim to stay slim for life, and we still follow the plan but are now maintaining our weight. "Sitting in group now feels amazing. It's great to be able to suggest ideas and support other members who are losing weight. "My biggest advice is, never give up, it's my mantra." Sarah now has a new zest for life (Image: Supplied) She added how important the support from Gerwyn was, calling him "the chef of the house," and emphasised the importance of supporting each other on their weight loss journey. Gerwyn said: "If it wasn't for that initial photograph, I really don't know where we would be. "Our health was taking a battering, I didn't see myself as big, and Sarah was becoming more and more reclusive. "I'm so pleased we took the plunge and joined Slimming World; I really do think it has saved our lives." The couple now enjoy more active lives, with Gerwyn recently taking up fly fishing, which Sarah also hopes to learn. The dogs are walked more often, and the couple spend time in their caravan. Their newfound zest for life is evident in their voices as they describe their lifestyle changes. For those interested in joining Slimming World, groups meet at Memorial Hall, St Arvans on Wednesdays at 5.30pm and 7pm.
Telegraph
19-04-2025
- Business
- Telegraph
TfL passengers lose out on Oyster railcard discounts after union order
A trade union has ordered frontline staff not to load railcard discounts onto London Overground passengers' Oyster cards. The RMT union said the move was because 'errors' by members had led to 'disciplinary action'. The move by the RMT – seen as one of the more militant unions – will see passengers forced to pay higher off-peak fares unless they travel to stations not on the London Overground. It comes after warnings that the UK faces a 'summer of discontent' from unions following the long-running bin strike in Birmingham that has left rubbish piled high on the city's streets. Labour offered billions of pounds worth of pay rises to unionised public sector workers last year, forcing Rachel Reeves, the Chancellor, to raise taxes in the Autumn Budget. A copy of the RMT London Overground branch members' magazine, called Orange Is The New Black, revealed how the ban on loading discounts came about. 'We are aware that some members, including agency colleagues, have been performing this task in isolation. Unfortunately, some have faced disciplinary action for errors made while carrying out a duty strongly advised against by the union,' it said. 'Our stance remains clear: this is not part of the roles we do.' It went on to claim that Arriva Rail London, the Overground operator, had told staff to 'apologise and inform [passengers] that you are unable to do that activity' if asked to add discounts to Oyster cards. This, the newsletter said, only came about following pressure from RMT shop stewards who said it was not part of unionised staff's jobs to help passengers obtain discounts, although a company spokesman denied that such an instruction had been given. Rail union militancy has soared Adding Railcard discounts to an Oyster card is only possible if a staff member does it for you, according to the Transport for London (TfL) website. Railcards, such as Two Together or the Network Railcard, typically offer a one-third discount that applies to off-peak train travel. They can be loaded onto an Oyster card so the discount is applied to pay-as-you-go daily fare caps as well as Oyster Travelcard fares. A spokesman for Arriva Rail London said: 'London Overground employees have not been instructed to avoid applying discounts to Oyster cards. It has been acknowledged that this is not part of their job description, therefore we do not expect or request that colleagues undertake this task. 'We know that several colleagues are willing to perform this task for the benefit of our customers. We are therefore making training available for colleagues who wish to undertake this task at certain locations.' Rail union militancy has soared in the past few years, with the Government handing train workers 15 per cent pay rises last summer in an effort to quell ongoing strikes. That move backfired after train drivers, typically the highest paid staff in the industry, banked the backdated pay increases and stopped accepting overtime shifts, triggering cancellations over the winter. Hull Trains has been beset by strikes organised by Aslef, the drivers' union, after one of its members was sacked for falling asleep while driving 125mph long distance services. Internal letters seen by The Telegraph revealed that the individual had a history of doing so, and had been supported by bosses previously. Although a 56-day strike was called by Aslef over the sacking, the effect has been confined to minor disruption to the company's timetables.
Yahoo
19-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
TfL passengers lose out on Oyster railcard discounts after union order
A trade union has ordered frontline staff not to load railcard discounts onto London Overground passengers' Oyster cards. The RMT union said the move was because 'errors' by members had led to 'disciplinary action'. The move by the RMT – seen as one of the more militant unions – will see passengers forced to pay higher off-peak fares unless they travel to stations not on the London Overground. It comes after warnings that the UK faces a 'summer of discontent' from unions following the long-running bin strike in Birmingham that has left rubbish piled high on the city's streets. Labour offered billions of pounds worth of pay rises to unionised public sector workers last year, forcing Rachel Reeves, the Chancellor, to raise taxes in the Autumn Budget. A copy of the RMT London Overground branch members' magazine, called Orange Is The New Black, revealed how the ban on loading discounts came about. 'We are aware that some members, including agency colleagues, have been performing this task in isolation. Unfortunately, some have faced disciplinary action for errors made while carrying out a duty strongly advised against by the union,' it said. 'Our stance remains clear: this is not part of the roles we do.' It went on to claim that Arriva Rail London, the Overground operator, had told staff to 'apologise and inform [passengers] that you are unable to do that activity' if asked to add discounts to Oyster cards. This, the newsletter said, only came about following pressure from RMT shop stewards who said it was not part of unionised staff's jobs to help passengers obtain discounts, although a company spokesman denied that such an instruction had been given. Adding Railcard discounts to an Oyster card is only possible if a staff member does it for you, according to the Transport for London (TfL) website. Railcards, such as Two Together or the Network Railcard, typically offer a one-third discount that applies to off-peak train travel. They can be loaded onto an Oyster card so the discount is applied to pay-as-you-go daily fare caps as well as Oyster Travelcard fares. A spokesman for Arriva Rail London said: 'London Overground employees have not been instructed to avoid applying discounts to Oyster cards. It has been acknowledged that this is not part of their job description, therefore we do not expect or request that colleagues undertake this task. 'We know that several colleagues are willing to perform this task for the benefit of our customers. We are therefore making training available for colleagues who wish to undertake this task at certain locations.' Rail union militancy has soared in the past few years, with the Government handing train workers 15 per cent pay rises last summer in an effort to quell ongoing strikes. That move backfired after train drivers, typically the highest paid staff in the industry, banked the backdated pay increases and stopped accepting overtime shifts, triggering cancellations over the winter. Hull Trains has been beset by strikes organised by Aslef, the drivers' union, after one of its members was sacked for falling asleep while driving 125mph long distance services. Internal letters seen by The Telegraph revealed that the individual had a history of doing so, and had been supported by bosses previously. Although a 56-day strike was called by Aslef over the sacking, the effect has been confined to minor disruption to the company's timetables. The RMT did not respond to a request for comment. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
