Slimmers take on Cardiff Half Marathon for Alzheimer’s Research UK
A team of Welsh slimmers are gearing up to showcase their newfound fitness when they take on the Cardiff Half Marathon.
On 6th October, 11 Slimming World members and Consultants will take part in the run as part of Run4Wales’ 100 Club, which is giving 100 places to runners under the theme ‘A Race for Everyone’ to celebrate how people from all backgrounds and abilities can improve their health and wellbeing through running.
Slimming World’s team of inspirational slimmers has collectively lost more than 33st and will be taking on a challenge that, at one time, they never thought would be possible. By following Slimming World’s Body Magic physical activity support programme, the runners gradually built up their activity levels at a pace that suited them.
Stuart Maidment, 52, ICT Support Project Officer and Slimming World member from Bridgend who has lost almost 4st, says: “I used to play rugby before losing weight and really struggled as I was constantly getting out of breath. As well as losing weight, the support I received at my Slimming World group boosted my self-belief and I started to think maybe I could become more active. I set myself small goals to start with and gradually built up my exercise and stamina.
I began to enjoy going for walks which slowly turned into runs, and I’ve never looked back. I’ve completed 10-15km runs, but I can’t wait to push myself further and tackle the half marathon.”
Carolyn Pallister, registered dietitian and Head of Nutrition, Research and Health at Slimming World says: “Exercise can often seem quite daunting when someone is at the start of their weight loss journey, which is why our physical activity support programme is designed to suit all lifestyles and preferences. It encourages members to choose an activity they enjoy and start doing as much as feels right for them, then gradually build up their activity levels at a pace that they’re comfortable with. Doing it this way makes it much easier for people to keep it up, and over time activity develops into a habit.
This is the first year that we’ve got a Slimming World Cardiff Half Marathon team, and we couldn’t be more excited! Completing a half marathon is a challenge that isn’t achieved overnight, and for many of our team, it’s something that they never believed they were capable of at all. We know all their fellow Slimming World members will be celebrating them crossing the finishing line with them!
The team will be taking on the recognised super-half in aid of Slimming World’s charity partner Alzheimer’s Research UK to raise awareness of how eating a healthy, balanced diet and moving more can help to protect our physical and brain health.
According to Alzheimer’s Research UK’s ‘Think Brain Health’ campaign, being active is one of several ways people can help protect brain health and reduce their risk of dementia in later life.
Vicky Lake, Senior Partnership Development Manager at Alzheimer’s Research UK, said:
"Alzheimer’s Research UK is incredibly grateful to the Slimming World team for their support in the Cardiff Half Marathon. Staying active is a great way to help maintain good brain health, and the team's efforts will raise vital funds and awareness, bringing us closer to a cure for dementia. We’re wishing the team the best of luck and we look forward to cheering them on from the sidelines!”
To donate and find out more, click here to visit their JustGiving page.
Give a huge round of applause for our incredible team:
- Bethan Griffiths, who has lost 3st 5lbs with Slimming World and was inspired to start running after seeing the 2023 Slimming World London Marathon Team in action
- Sian Wyndham, who has lost 2st 10.5lbs and runs 3-4 times a week
- Helen Griffiths, who has lost 2st 2lbs and feels more confident
- Llinos Hubbard, who has lost 1st 5lbs and now runs multiple times a week
- Consultant Michelle Humphrey, who has lost 4st and is a keen runner
- Bethan Morris, who has lost 3st 5lbs, and would love to inspire others to tackle a challenge
- Beverley Joyce, who has lost 3st 10lbs and is smashing her Body Magic goals. She recently conquered Pen Y Fan with her children which is something she never would have imagined she was capable of before joining Slimming World
- Rebecca Aslett, who has lost 3st 2lbs and is excited to take on this inspirational challenge
- Sandra Barrett, who has lost 3st 0.5lbs and started running with the help of the Couch 2 5k programme
- Stuart Maidment, who has lost 3st 12.5lbs and gradually built his stamina and activity up through running
- Slimming World Consultant Louise Luke, who has lost 3st 2.5lbs and loves dance and yoga as well as running