{"id":2909,"date":"2021-04-08T09:20:00","date_gmt":"2021-04-08T08:20:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/slimmingworld.wpenginepowered.com\/blog\/?p=2909"},"modified":"2021-12-01T15:50:13","modified_gmt":"2021-12-01T15:50:13","slug":"discover-2st-lost-and-reduced-diabetes-risk","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.slimmingworld.co.uk\/blog\/discover-2st-lost-and-reduced-diabetes-risk\/","title":{"rendered":"\u201cI\u2019ve lost over 2st in four months \u2013 and reduced my diabetes risk\u201d"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Our research shows that joining a Slimming World group can support your weight loss success.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our programme, based on over 50 years of experience, expertise and science, is used by the NHS to help people achieve real and lasting weight loss. We\u2019re proud to continue our partnership with Public Health England\u2019s Better Health campaign by offering a discount on Slimming World membership, plus six weeks for the price of five when you buy a six-week Countdown course.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Find out how you can take up our Better Health offer at the bottom of this post.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To inspire you to discover new healthy habits and achieve lifelong weight loss success, we\u2019re also sharing the story of Sam Long, who\u2019s lost 2\u00bdst so far at Sophie\u2019s Slimming World group in London and reduced her risk of developing type 2 diabetes\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Finding my motivation<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Sitting opposite my GP in the doctor\u2019s surgery, I was speechless. I\u2019d just found out that I was at very high risk of developing type 2 diabetes, and now the doctor was telling me my weight was a contributing factor. I\u2019d been in denial about my size for a long time. Although I struggled to find clothes I liked that would fit me and couldn\u2019t climb a flight of stairs without needing to stop for a breather, I couldn\u2019t see a way out, so I pushed any worries to the back of my mind. Now, though, I realised my weight was seriously impacting my health. Later, when a friend told me about the Public Health England Better Health offer for discounted Slimming World membership, I knew I had to give it a chance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Sam<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Getting support<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019d been dieting on and off for years, each time turning to calorie counting. I\u2019d soon tire of keeping track, then eventually I\u2019d stop losing weight altogether and, without support, my motivation to slim would slip away. As soon as I walked through the doors of Sophie\u2019s Slimming World group, I realised it was something completely different. I had an incredibly warm welcome from all the other members, and the support and advice I was given in group really helped me to get to grips with Food Optimising.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Every week I learned something new. Like how to use any slip-ups to discover more about myself, rather than feel guilty. Now, if I do go off track at any point, I don\u2019t give myself a hard time. I\u2019ll make a Food Optimising meal and be right back on track again. My mindset around weight loss has changed completely. When we went back into lockdown in January, I carried on checking in with my fellow members in our virtual group sessions. And, as we\u2019ve supported one another through the challenges of lockdown, we\u2019ve become closer than ever before.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

MORE ON THE BLOG: Discover how Karen Darler lost 7st<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Discovering the power of planning<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

At my heaviest, I never planned my meals. I\u2019d often feel so exhausted after a long day on my feet working as a rehabilitation assistant that I\u2019d just grab the first thing I saw \u2013 which was usually a frozen ready meal or something from the takeaways I passed on my way home. When I started Food Optimising, I realised that I needed to start cooking from scratch, and that meant making a plan. Every week, I\u2019d write out the recipes I wanted to try and set aside time to batch cook meals so that I always had a healthy, filling meal ready in a few minutes when I got home. Now I can make everything from chilli con carne with rice to a Slimming World curry, and I\u2019ve never once felt hungry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What I eat in a day as a Slimming World member<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Breakfast:<\/strong> Overnight oats<\/a> with blueberries
Lunch:<\/strong> Slimming World pasta bake<\/a>
Dinner:<\/strong> Chicken chow mein<\/a>
Snacks:<\/strong> Apples, bananas, satsumas and a Slimming World Hi-fi bar<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Embracing activity<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As the weight started to come off, I felt more energetic than I had in years and I was inspired to become more active. I used to enjoy swimming because it was easier on my joints \u2013 plus I felt more comfortable knowing that no one could see me underneath the water! When pools closed due to the pandemic, I decided to give running a try. Although I felt nervous at the thought of people looking at me as I ran down the street, once I got moving I quickly realised that no one was interested in what I was doing. Gradually my confidence increased, and so did my fitness. Now I can run more than 5K and I\u2019ve even invested in a pair of bright leggings! As soon as lockdown restrictions allow, I\u2019d like to sign up to a Race for Life in memory of my mum, who I lost to cancer in 2016.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

MORE ON THE BLOG: Find out how Ashli Sterling found a passion for activity<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Celebrating my success<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019ve lost 2st 2\u00bdlbs since joining Slimming World, and already life is completely different. My feet don\u2019t hurt as much after a long day at work, and I can climb a flight of stairs with ease. I\u2019ve also dropped two dress sizes and my uniform is much more comfortable. My friends and family have showered me with compliments about my weight loss, and I can\u2019t wait for lockdown restrictions to ease more so that I can get glammed-up and go out feeling fabulous.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Best of all, my health has improved dramatically, and I\u2019ve reduced my risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Although I\u2019m still on my weight loss journey, thanks to the support of my Consultant and group, I\u2019m confident I\u2019ll get to target and keep this healthy lifestyle for good. I\u2019ve got my life back and I couldn\u2019t be happier!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Sam<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Has Sam\u2019s story has inspired you to take that first step towards better health? We\u2019re offering FREE Slimming World membership, plus six weeks for the price of five, when you join your local Slimming World group and commit to a six-week Countdown course before 28th May 2021.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Contact your local Consultant to book your place in group<\/strong><\/a> and find the voucher to take along <\/strong>here<\/strong><\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can also join our digital-only service, Slimming World Online, and get \u00a315\/\u20ac20 off membership when you sign up before 28th May 2021. Click the link below and enter the code PHE2021 to take up the offer.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Take that first step<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

At 16st 13\u00bdlbs, Sam Long received a frightening health warning. Here, she reveals the steps she took to give herself a healthier future…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":12,"featured_media":2910,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[22,16,19,26],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.slimmingworld.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2909"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.slimmingworld.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.slimmingworld.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.slimmingworld.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/12"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.slimmingworld.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2909"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.slimmingworld.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2909\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.slimmingworld.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2910"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.slimmingworld.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2909"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.slimmingworld.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2909"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.slimmingworld.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2909"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}