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
Slimming World was founded by Margaret Miles-Bramwell OBE in Derbyshire in 1969 and has become the UK and Ireland’s leading weight loss organisation with more people choosing to attend a Slimming World group each week than any other weight loss programme. We support hundreds of thousands of people, both in our groups and online, to lose weight and to adopt new habits to stay slim for life.
Over the years our founding principles haven’t changed:
· Our unique programme is based on a powerfully motivating support system called IMAGE (Individual Motivation and Group Experience) Therapy. Underpinned by a deep understanding of the psychology of people living with overweight and obesity, and incorporating the most effective sustainable behaviour change techniques, IMAGE Therapy is designed to inspire and motivate slimmers to make positive mindset changes and to develop new, healthier habits around food and activity.
· Food Optimising is our healthy eating plan, based on the liberating concept of Free Food. We encourage members to fill up on those foods that are naturally lower in energy density (calories per gram) and also highly satisfying while limiting foods that are highest in fat and sugar and are less satisfying, so they lose weight without ever feeling hungry or deprived and without having to weigh, measure or count everything they eat.
· Our physical activity support programme, Body Magic helps members to overcome any barriers around exercise. Members choose when to start and they set the pace, finding activities they genuinely enjoy, until regular physical activity becomes an intrinsic part of their daily routine.
At the heart of everything we do lies our passion for treating every member with genuine care, empathy and respect.
We’re proud to work with the NHS, the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID), The Royal College of Midwives, Diabetes UK and others to help shape the future of weight management in the UK and Ireland.
For more information about Slimming World’s approach visit slimmingworld.co.uk or slimmingworld.ie
Follow Slimming World on X and Instagram at @slimmingworld, become a Slimming World fan on Facebook at facebook.com/slimmingworld or tune in on TikTok at tiktok.com/@slimmingworld
For the Press Office visit our newsroom or email public.relations@slimmingworld.co.uk
About Alzheimer's Research UK:
- Alzheimer’s Research UK is the UK’s leading dementia research charity.
- Our vision is a world free from the fear, harm and heartbreak of dementia.
- We fund life-changing research, influence government and policy-makers, and provide information for people affected by dementia.
- Our mission is to accelerate progress towards a cure for dementia, by revolutionising the way we treat, diagnose and prevent the condition.
- Since the charity was founded in 1992 we have invested more than £188m in dementia research, helping fuel drug discovery, improve diagnostics and further our understanding of the genetics of the condition.
- Last year we invested more than £28m in our charitable activities, including £23m in research.
- You can support Alzheimer’s Research UK by donating, fundraising, volunteering and campaigning. To find out more about the charity and how you can help visit www.alzheimersresearchuk.org or call 0300 111 5555.
- Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and TikTok.