A super slimmer from Dunfermline has been awarded the title of Slimming World Diamond Member of the Year for setting a sparkling example of long-term weight loss.
Helen Wiggins, a busy mum of two and grandmother, joined the Tuesday Slimming World group in Townhill in October 2015 and lost 1st 13.5 lbs st in 23 weeks. Even more impressively, she’s kept the weight off ever since.
Now the 68-year-old has been named the group’s Diamond Member for 2018 and 2019.
The title, as voted for by the slimmers in the group, is awarded to the group’s most inspirational member who has lost weight and maintained their new shape – an accomplishment that Slimming World believes is the most under-recognised achievement in weight management.
Helen decided to join Slimming World after she stopped smoking and eating lots of junk food. She dropped from a tight size 16/18 clothes to a looser size 10.
She says: “Like most people, I’d tried to lose weight countless times yet nothing ever really seemed to stick.
“Slimming World was completely different because it was just so simple. I could still enjoy hearty, home-cooked meals with my family while losing weight, which seemed like a miracle at the time!
“Previous weight-loss attempts left me feeling hungry and irritable – nowadays I probably eat more than ever! Slimming World isn’t a diet, it’s a way of life.
“With Slimming World the support that I needed was there right from day one, both from my consultant Glen Davidson and the other members in the group. I picked up new ideas and recipes every week – I still do now, in fact – and I started to really believe that I could do it.
“And I did, because 30 months later I’m still at my target weight.”
Helen began following 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 without going hungry or feeling deprived.
Retired Helen, who volunteers at the Chest Heart and Stroke shop in Eastport stated:
“As the weight came off I decided to try increasing my activity levels. I began slowly by walking to the shops every day, and then gradually I walked everywhere until being active was part of my routine.
“I recently did a charity abseil that I never would have thought possible, too.”
Raising money for charity
Thanks to her loss and the activity (which she believes has been important in helping her to maintain her weight loss), Helen has recently abseiled down the Forth Rail Bridge for the Chest Heart And Stroke charity, a cause close to her heart after sadly being widowed after the death of her husband.
According to the Scottish Stroke Care Audit, stroke is the third most common cause of death in Scotland. It’s estimated that about 15,000 people in Scotland have a stroke each year.
Helen was recently in the paper too when she raised over £800 for Chest Heart and Stroke.
After reaching her CLUB 10 award (whereby a member loses 10% of their starting weight, reducing their likelihood of diabetes, cancers, and stroke), Helen continued her weight loss.
Since reaching her target weight in March 2016, Helen has continued to attend the Townhill Tuesday Slimming World group. She believes that without their unwavering support she would have struggled to keep the weight off.
Slimming World members who achieve their target, which they set themselves, can continue to attend their local group every week for free as long as they stay within 3lbs either side of their target weight.
“I’ve made so many friends that I can’t imagine not going to the group each week – it’s like my weekly night out, they’re like family,” says Helen.
“Everyone inspired and supported me to achieve my target and now it’s my turn to do the same for other people, to show the same kindness, warmth and compassion that I was shown. Coming to group keeps me on track too.”
Glen, who runs the Tuesday and Saturday Townhill groups Helen attends, says: “I’m so proud of Helen and the inspirational way in which she’s maintained her weight loss.
“It’s always great for new members to be introduced to Helen and see just what’s possible at Slimming World – after we’ve explained why someone so slim is in the group in the first place, that is!
“I hope she inspires other people in Dunfermline and proves to them that with Slimming World you really can get slim for good.”
The Townhill Slimming World group is held at Townhill Bowling Club every Tuesday at 5.30pm and 7.30 pm, and every Saturday 7.30am and 9.30am.
Pop along, call Glen on 07900995275 or visit the Slimming World website to find out more.
