A SLIMMER who transformed his life by losing 4 and a half stone is using his success to shape a whole new career helping other people change their lives and achieve their weight loss dreams too.

Leigh joined his local Slimming World group in Laindon 3 years ago and dropped 13.5 pounds in his first week!

Leigh has now trained as a Consultant for Slimming World, the UK's largest group-based weight loss organisation, at their national training academy in Derbyshire. Now he is opening his own group in Pitsea at Briscoe Primary School on Thursday 21 April at 7.30pm

The latest government figures reveal that around one in four adults are obese and it is estimated that, by 2034, this will increase to one in three. 68.1% of the Basildon population is now overweight or obese, and Leigh says his new role has never been more important.

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 4 and a half stones 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 4 and a half 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 and then fall back into old eating patterns including takeaways and fast foods. I felt self conscious and depressed and struggled to fit into clothes for work and couldnt buy the clothes I liked in my size. When I was asked to be a part in a close friends wedding, I knew I wanted to lose weight and feel good too. 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. By food optimising, I was able to enjoy my favourite meals, such as pasta carbonara . takeaways and still eat out with friends by making some small adjustments. 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. There was, and is, always plenty of recipe inspiration in group too. 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 to just get out for a walk 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!"

Like Leigh, Slimming World Consultants are all former members who have lost weight at their local group themselves and groups are set up as micro businesses in the heart of local communities. There are currently around 4,000 Slimming World Consultants across the UK and Ireland running 15,000 groups. Consultants receive training in Slimming World's healthy eating and physical activity programmes and learn how to use the power of group support to empower members to take control of their own weight loss journey. As self-employed micro-entrepreneurs, Consultants also learn how to build a successful community-based business. Leigh says he can't wait for the new challenges running his own business will bring. "For me becoming a self-employed franchisee was a great option. I wanted a job that was well paid, flexible and could fit around my current full time role, so launching my own Slimming World group was an ideal option – I can continue my current employment while paying forward the support I received on my weight loss journey to the local community and I can't wait for my new groups to run now!

Elise Balster, who runs 2 Slimming World groups in South Benfleet and Laindon and manages Leigh as a Team Developer, says: "Slimming World Consultants are chosen for their positive outlook and because they genuinely care about the health and happiness of others. With Leigh's experience of being a successful Slimming World member and his kind and warm personality and great sense of humour I just know that he'll be an amazing support to members, cheering them all the way to their target weight."

Leigh's Slimming World group will be held at Briscoe Primary School, Felmores End, Pitsea every Thursday at 7.30pm from Thursday 21 April. For more information or to join Leigh's group either pop along on Thursday 21 April or call him on 07933 136348.

Or: For more information visit www.slimmingworld.co.uk or call 0344 897 8000.

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For further information please contact the Slimming World press office email: [email protected]

Slimming World was founded by Margaret Miles-Bramwell (OBE, FRSA) in 1969. There are now more than 14,000 weekly groups supporting 800,000 members across the UK and Republic of Ireland. Groups are run by a network of 4,000 community-based Slimming World Consultants, who receive specific training in the role of diet and physical activity in weight management, as well as sophisticated behaviour-change techniques.  

Slimming World's healthy eating plan, Food Optimising, is based on the science of satiety and energy density. Our phased activity programme, Body Magic, eases members into activity until it becomes an intrinsic part of their daily routine. The principles behind Slimming World's philosophy are based on a deep understanding of the challenges faced by overweight people and recognition that those who struggle with weight carry a double burden, the weight itself and a burden of guilt and shame about their weight. Slimming World's programme integrates practical, up-to-date advice with a highly developed support system based on care and compassion, and Consultant training focuses on facilitating behaviour change in a warm and friendly group environment. Consultant training is delivered through the Slimming World Academy. Slimming World also invests in a comprehensive research programme to develop its support for long-term weight management. The group support provided by Slimming World is recognised as effective by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) and the NHS.