A slimmer who transformed his life by losing 8.5 stone is using his success to shape a whole new career helping other people change their lives and achieve their weight loss dreams too. Tom joined his local Slimming World group in Bristol two and a half years ago, where he lost 8.5 stone, he knew things had to change when he caught Covid 19 and his husband had to call the paramedics out on 2 seperate occasions where his weight caused serious issues dealing with the virus.
Tom was extremly overweight and very unhappy, his confidence had hit the floor. Tom was unable to fit into normal clothes that he wanted to wear which resulted in him having to wear maternity clothing. Tom is a real family man and his weight was putting pressure on him spending qulaity times with his niece and nephews as he was unbale to take them to softplays and was turned away from fairground rides for being too heavy.
With the shame and embrassemenent he felt, he new change HAD to happen and that is when he found Slimming World, and he has never looked back.
Now, he has trained as a Consultant for Slimming World, the UK’s largest group-based weight loss organisation, at their national training academy in Derbyshire. Members at the group are getting ready to welcome Tom as their new Consultant when he takes over the group on Tuesday 11th June.
He says: “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 now I just can’t wait to get started. After losing 8.5 st 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 target.
“Support is really the most important thing. It all starts with feeling that you’re not alone. I couldn’t have lost 8.5 stone 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. I love going on long dog walks with my Husband and Jack Russell, Teddy and joining in on fitness classes at my local gym to get my Body Magic! 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!”
Tom’s Slimming World group will be held at Greenway Centre, Southmead, BS10 5PY every Tuesday at 5:30pm & 7:00pm from Tuesday 11th June 2024. For more information or to join Tom’s group either pop along on Tuesday 11th June or call him on 07920779270.