Judy hoping people can shed pounds
A weight-loss expert is urging men and women to make it their New Year's resolution to shed the excess pounds that creep on over Christmas.
A weight-loss expert is urging men and women to make it their New Year's resolution to shed the excess pounds that creep on over Christmas.
Judy Parkes, aged 40, from Lichfield, is hoping to help people in the area kick-start a healthier 2008 when she takes over as leader of a weekly Weight Watchers, meeting at Boley Park Community Centre.
The mum-of-two, from Bonehill, became a leader after she shed a stone and a half through the weight-loss programme herself.
She said: "I first joined about 20 years ago, so I've actually been going to Weight Watchers for half my life on and off.
"It's usually big life changes that encourage us to keep at it, I lost weight for my wedding, and I lost a stone and a half after having my children."
Mrs Parkes was inspired to become a leader herself after the support and encouragement she received at her meetings helped her to maintain a healthy weight.
She said: "Being overweight can really pull your self-esteem to an all-time low, I know, I've been there.
"It's difficult to lose weight at the best of times but the support of the meetings really does make a difference.
"You can come up against all kinds of problems when you're trying to lose weight, but when you're doing it as a group there is always somebody else who has experienced the same thing and overcome it.
"It's all totally confidential as well, we don't shout out people's weight like they do on Little Britain."
Mrs Parkes is hoping to encourage people to adopt a healthy and balanced diet that isn't impossible to stick to.
She said: "What we are aiming for is to help people to lose weight but also to maintain that weight loss.
"It's not about yo-yo dieting, it's about adapting your life-style and making small changes that add up to a weight loss you can keep for life."
With the festive period all but over and many people turning their minds to a new, healthy start to 2008, Mrs Parkes added a few helpful tips on how to kick-start those long-overdue changes:
* Chop high calorie foods such as cheese and chocolate into smaller pieces – it will seem like you're getting more than you actually are.
* Make a habit of reaching for a glass of water instead of a high-calorie snack – it will help your overall health as well as your waistline.
* If you're new to eating lots of fruit and vegetables, start slowly. Pile salad into your sandwiches, or add fruit to your cereal.
* Add a workout to your shopping sessions by parking your car as far from the shop as possible, to get more walking in.
* Walk an extra 100 steps at work, take the stairs instead of the lift, or stroll down the hall to talk to a co-worker instead of sending an e-mail or calling.
Mrs Parkes' meetings will take place at Boley Park Community Centre in Ryknild Street on Thursdays at 7pm.
