A slimmer who transformed her life by losing 4 stone is using her success to help other people change their lives and achieve their weight loss dreams too.
Sharon Ryder joined her local Slimming World group 10 years ago and lost 4 stone, dropping 3 dress sizes.
Sharon has now trained as a Consultant for Slimming World, the UK’s largest group-based weight loss organisation, at their national training academy in Derbyshire. Now she is opening her own evening groups in Dartmouth on Tuesday 23rd January at 7pm in Townstal Community Hall. A second group for Kingsbridge will be opened at 7pm in West Charleton on Wednesday 31st January.
She says: “Obesity and being overweight 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 now I just can’t wait to get started. After losing 4st and completing my training, 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 their dream weight.
“Support is really the most important thing. It all starts with feeling that you’re not alone. I couldn’t have lost weight and maintained my target weight for so long 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 will be there to support every one of my members all the way to their chosen target weight. Setting targets, sharing recipes and other ideas, and working together as a group to overcome challenges and celebrate success is so important to a successful journey. That’s why, at my Slimming World group, there’ll be tons of support, encouragement and fun.
“Like a lot of slimmers, I had tried to lose weight so many times before by following numerous diets but they were never sustainable because I’d always get tired of restricting what I ate. I thought I was destined to struggle with my weight for the rest of my life, but when I came to Slimming World it was different. I never felt like I was on a diet. The eating plan encourages you to eat lots of tasty, filling foods like pasta, rice, potatoes and lean meat and fish, you are never hungry and no foods are banned so there’s no deprivation. I couldn’t believe I’d found a way to lose weight without starving myself.
“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. As a Consultant it’s my role to create that warm, supportive atmosphere to get people sharing their ideas and experiences to help others – it’s going to be great fun!”
Sharon’s Dartmouth group will be held at Townstal Community Hall, every Tuesday at 7pm as from 23rd January.
The Kingsbridge group will take place weekly on a Wednesday at 7pm as from 31st January in West Charleton Village Hall.
For more information or to join Sharon’s group either pop along on to a group or call her on 07877 826101.
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