Overview

Sarah’s story

Sarah - I initially found out about the healthy weight hub from my GP.

My blood pressure was on the high side, my cholesterol was on the high side. I was overweight, I had a high BMI, and she recommended this programme as a way to refocus my views on health and weight.

Before I did the programme, I was walking a little bit, I did a little bit of yoga at home. I wasn't worried about being overweight, but when they were telling me about visceral fat, and mobility problems as I get older, they were all the things that I just didn't want. I wanted to be a healthy, older person, and not rely on medication or rely on other people and I thought, if I don't do something now, I'm never gonna do it.

Doesn't feel like I'm on a diet, doesn't feel like I'm on an exercise regime. It just feels like this is my new way of life and I love it.

The thing I found most useful on the programme was almost learning how to go to exercise classes again. I didn't feel intimidated because everyone on the programme was in the same boat as me.

We were all a bit overweight and we hadn't really exercised and the thought of the gym, and classes and wearing Lycra, all of them things were just, I hated the thought of it.

But when you are being encouraged each week by the members of the hub team, it just gives you the information, the facts, if you need to learn more about nutrition, exercise. It's just that whole holistic approach that you're not just looking at one thing.

None of it felt like a chore. I didn't feel like I was on a really strict programme. I just felt I was making very small steps to how I could fit exercise in around work, and it just becomes part of your everyday.

I do wear Lycra now. Only because I was far too cumbersome wearing big sweatshirts and jogging bottoms, trying to hide myself. And actually, it doesn't matter what you're wearing because no one cares what you're wearing. As long as you are comfortable and feel comfortable doing the class that's all that matters.

I feel so much more confident in my skin, not just because of the weight loss and how I look, but because I've taken control of my health and how my health will be in the future as I'm getting older. And I think that's made me feel happier with myself as well.

Sarah's Story

Maria's Story

Maria - When I first joined the Healthy Weight Hub, to be honest, I thought it was going to be boring.

I thought it'd be one of those programmes that they make you feel really bad about yourself, but it was nothing like that.

I didn't really want to give up the food that I loved and grown up with, and the healthy weight programme just encouraged me to make small changes.

Looking at portion sizes, lower fat coconut milk,just reading the labels on the products as well,just to make sure they were saying like green and amber.It just made us more conscious of what we were eating.

What really stood out was the support. The facilitators encouraged us every step of the way how to use the booklet and the app.

What was good as well was how we reflected in our team sessions. What I got really from it was just, you know, taking away that, you know, you can just be mindful, move more each day by doing exercises.

Maybe if you took the bus, to come off at an earlier bus stop and walk and you know, it's just not being about perfect.

You know, you won't feel like you're alone. Everyone's there for the same purpose. I particularly formed a friendship with Christine. We joined the gym together.

I feel more confident now. People should join the programme because it's an excellent way to get healthy, and if you're like me and you want to still enjoy the foods that you're used to, like culturally, it will be excellent because the programme does incorporate that and it's just great.

At the beginning of the programme, I felt really low. I felt like I had no energy, had a lot of headaches. But after the programme and just during the programme, I found that I was just feeling more motivated,really encouraged, and yeah, I feel absolutely great now and I'm so glad that I joined the programme.

Maria's Story