Eating plan offers food for thought

None of that is in cash – for the past 20 years Sandra has run a successful weight loss programme which has seen men and women lose inch after inch.

She is a consultant for Slimming World, taking classes at New Hey Road, East Bowling and the Gateway Centre in Tong Street.

“Members of my class range from people who are still at school to those who have retired. They make up a fantastic group, helping and encouraging each other,” she says. “We have a lot more men nowadays than we used to, and more younger people. Membership is free for children aged 11 to 15 who come with their parents. I’ve helped generations of families – I’ve had mothers come along, and a few years later their daughters join.”

She adds: “The eating plan is called Extra Easy, and that’s just what it is. It fits everyone’s choice of food. Exercise is great if you can, but it is not a must to lose weight. The plan does it for you.”

The groups Sandra runs have between 50 and 100 members attending at any one time.

“We always see an increase at this time of year,” she says. “Everyone wants to make changes to their lives, and losing weight is a common one. A lot of people have good intentions but drift back to old habits. In a group people can support each other.”

She adds: “People must want to do it – that is important.” She knows what people are going through, having been to classes herself, where she lost two stones before being offered a consultant’s job.

Sandra loves her work. “I get a lot of satisfaction to see people change and see how much they happier they are,” she says.

When Michael Johnson’s friend tagged him on Facebook, he didn’t like what he saw. He saw a man who needed to slim down. It was not the first sign that had shocked the father-of-three into action.

“I was getting out of breath doing everyday activities such as running up the stairs,” he recalls. “I’d rush up to run a bath and be puffing and panting – it was alarming.”

He also found it hard to get comfortable in bed, and his wife Adele had started to comment on his snoring. “She said I was putting on weight, but I didn’t listen.”

A machine operator at a sign company, he started to cut down on food. “I used to eat loads of bread - I had toast or bacon sandwiches for breakfast, four slices of bread for dinner and then some more for tea. I probably ate about half a loaf every day.”

He found cutting down difficult. “I wanted to do it for my health, but I was doing it on my own so I was not 100 per cent committed.”

Chatting to a parent at his son’s rugby club, Michael, 39, of Holme Wood, found out about his local Slimming World class, and decided to join. He felt a bit nervous as the only man, but was made to feel very welcome.

Eighteen months on, when he looks in the mirror he doesn’t recognise himself. Not only does he look different, he feels different. Since losing almost eight stones, he has taken up jogging and swimming, and has a whole new wardrobe.

“In warm weather I go jogging, and in the past I never went swimming – I was really shy about my body. Now I can swim with my children on holiday.” he says.

He adds: “.”

Since joining Sandra’s class, Michael, who at one time weighed 22st, has seen his waistline shrink from 46 inches to 34 inches. The eating plan suited him.

“You can eat as much as you like so long as you are eating the right things,” he says.

For breakfast he eats cereal or porridge, has stew or spaghetti bolognese for lunch, and for tea he eats chicken with mash or jacket potato. I eat smaller portions and lots of fruit and vegetables. My meals are home made by Adele – she has been brilliant.”

On a weekend, he treats himself. “I might have a curry and maybe a bacon sandwich, and I’ll probably drink a few pints,” he adds.

To complement the eating plan, Michael tried an exercise bike, but didn’t think it was making a difference. Adele then bought him a treadmill, which he enjoys. “I started doing half a mile, now I do four or five,” he says.

He feels like a new man. “Since I joined quite a few men have started. I enjoyed the classes – I was slimmer of the month almost every month,” he says.

Michael’s eldest son, Lee, 16, isn’t happy, however. “I keep sharing his clothes,” laughs Michael.

A forthcoming wedding was the spur to Lauren Redman’s bid to lose weight.

“My cousin was getting married and I was chosen to be a bridesmaid,” she says, “I was size 14 and thought I would feel more comfortable in front of everyone if I could wear a smaller size dress.

Aged 15 at the time, she was nervous about joining the class. “I didn’t really want to go, so my mum came to support me.”

Lauren, of Rooley Lane, was thrilled when she began losing weight. “It happened straight away, after I’d joined the class,” she says, “I lost five pounds in the first week. That gave me confidence to carry on. Everyone was older than me, but they were all really friendly.”

Sandra helped Lauren plan meals and the weight continued to fall off. “It happened quickly and I soon lost a stone.”

The A-level student, who is now 17, cut out snacking. “I used to eat crisps and chocolate all the time, and drink fizzy pop,” she says, “And I stopped eating so much bread – I would have it for breakfast and dinner.”

She was pleased that her eating plan enabled her to eat one of her favourite foods, Pasta.

Nine months after she started the class, she reached her goal – a size ten. She wore her navy blue bridesmaid’s dress with pride. “I was really proud of myself, and my family all think it’s great,” she says. “I exercise too, walking the dog, and I sometimes go to the gym. I feel fitter and healthier.”

For details of Sandra’s classes, which are held on Tuesday at 5pm and 7pm at New Hey Road Methodist Church, and on Wednesday at 5pm and 7pm at the Gateway Centre, contact her on (01274) 400059 or 0796 6883687.