Melksham’s successful Slimming World members celebrate one year on

Two super slimmers from Melksham have been named ‘Slimming World’s Two-Together couple,’ jointly winning a new competition designed to celebrate standout Slimming World members who have transformed themselves inside and out.

Neil has lost 4st 7lbs, while Amanda has lost 1st 11lbs, and both were delighted to be nominated for the title by their fellow members at the Guide Hut Thursday 5.30pm group.

Neil and Amanda joined the group in January last year, deciding to take the first step towards losing weight together for health reasons and to support the new consultant Kathy in opening her groups. Neil dropped from 17st 11.5lbs and a size XXL to 13st 5lbs and a size L. Amanda lost almost 2st and has also gone down two dress sizes. Both achieved their targets in under a year.

Amanda said, “I’ve tried to lose weight before, but most ‘diets’ are hard to stick to, whereas Slimming World isn’t a diet but a healthy way of life and does not deprive you of foods you enjoy. I am certainly never hungry on the plan! Slimming World is totally different; I love the variety of the eating plan and the support from the other members has been amazing.”

“That’s why this award means so much to us; to think that our journey has inspired other people is just incredible and to be voted for by my fellow group members makes me feel quite emotional!”

Both Amanda and Neil followed Slimming World’s Food Optimising eating plan, which encourages slimmers to fill up on healthy, satisfying foods like fruit and veg, pasta, rice, potatoes, lean meat and fish so they lose weight for good without going hungry or feeling deprived.

Neil decided to take the first step after being persuaded by Amanda to join and was pleasantly surprised to meet other men and couples at the group. He said, “I’m more adventurous in the kitchen now. We used to rely on convenience foods and were lazy, really. We didn’t plan and often picked at food. We recognised the effect it was having on us and now the balance has swung the other way. We’ve passed lots of healthy habits on to our family and friends too. I’m a busy shift worker, so I’ve previously struggled to fit eating healthily and cooking fresh food into my day-to-day life, but Slimming World taught me that healthy eating doesn’t have to be complicated or mean spending hours in the kitchen. I’ve started planning meals, batch cooking and have picked up lots of go-to recipes from other members in the group that I can make in 20 minutes or less. We now have structure, boundaries and control.”

Amanda felt more able to participate in activity after her weight loss. She said, “Before I joined Slimming World, I couldn’t do much due to health concerns. But after losing some weight and eating healthier, this has also had a positive impact on my energy levels and enjoyment of exercise.”

At the group, members also share ideas for activities they enjoy, such as swimming, parkrun, walking or just dancing around their kitchen. “We call it Body Magic,” says Kathy Collis, who runs the Melksham group.

“Amanda began by walking more and increasing her activity levels,” explained Kathy. “With a new confidence, she has more energy and a new way of life surrounding exercise that she can enjoy with Neil and the family.”

Both Neil and Amanda say they have made friends in the group and attending each week has helped to keep them accountable and focused on their goals.

“I’m so proud of Neil and Amanda and the inspirational way in which they’ve achieved their weight loss goals,” says Kathy.

To find out more about the Melksham Slimming World groups, held at The Guide Hut every Thursday at 5.30pm or Friday mornings at 9am or 10.30am, contact Kathy on 07442 728134 or follow ‘Slimming World with Kathy’ on Facebook or Instagram (@swkathy).

Pictured Below: Amanda before, Amanda at the group after

Pictured Below: Neil on the beach before, Neil on the beach after