Slimming World members celebrate losing more than 500 stone

The 200 members, who attend the groups in Woodley and North Baddesley every week, follow Slimming World’s food-optimising eating plan created by the organisation’s team of expert nutritionists. 

It encourages them to fill up on satisfying foods such as pasta, rice, potatoes, lean meat, fish, pulses, fruit and veg.

Julia Cole has lost three stone. She said: “Filling up on lots of satisfying foods means you’re never hungry so I’ve never felt as though I was on a diet. Before I joined Slimming World I thought losing weight meant going to the gym and counting calories. But now I know it’s about making healthier choices about food and becoming a bit more active. 

“Reaching this milestone as a group just proves the huge change that we’ve all made to our lives, some people who’ve lost big amounts of weight have probably even saved their lives.

"It’s brilliant to celebrate together as well because that’s how we’ve been losing weight – together. Every week we support and encourage each other and share tips and recipes, and on top of that we have a lot of fun.”

Jo Jackson, who runs the two groups, said: “I’m delighted that my members have lost weight so beautifully. It has made a big difference to their lives and to their whole families’ lives, and all of them are happier and healthier now.

"Slimming has never been more important and I just want to help even more people to make real changes for life – there’s no better job satisfaction than that.” 

Jo's group is held at Woodley Village Hall every Wednesday at 8.30am and 10am and North Baddesley Village Hall every Thursday at 5pm and 6.30pm. 

For more information or to join call Jo on 07967141278.