Weigh to go Macclesfield! A local weightloss group has had huge demand and success in the fight to shed the pounds we all gained during lockdown.

The Friday Morning slimmers, who meet on Townley Street, have been dedicated to their Slimming World Macclesfield programme since the easing of restrictions allowed their group to meet up again in May.

A weight has been lifted for the slimmers from Macclesfield as they're an incredible 10 stone lighter since returning to their real-life Slimming World Friday town centre group from the most

recent lockdown.

Consultant Julie Bowden is the Macc Slimming World consultant which has championed the success, and is delighted to be back helping members to lose weight and improve their health in person, and the results on the scales show just how much members are loving being back together too.

Julie, who has lost three stone as a member herself, says: "I reopened the Friday Town centre group in May, after I'd been supporting members virtually in online weekly groups since March last year, when the national lockdown first closed our community groups.

"It's been absolutely amazing to come back together again, it's proven that there really is no better feeling than the magic of a real-life Slimming World group – and the amazing results speak for themselves – a combined ten stone lost between them in June alone!

"And the losses have continued since as our group has continued to expand.

"Members told me they'd really missed being together in-person – that feeling of community,

swapping recipes, and sharing ideas, and being there for each other through the highs and the lows of their journey. Plus, we know that there's something powerful about stepping on the scales each week and having that regular check-in on your progress.

"This year has been far from easy for all of us, with some people struggling more than others, but for lots of my members all of the challenges and anxieties have actually made them more

determined than ever to achieve their goals and improve their health.

"They've proved anyone wanting to lose weight and feel healthier – which research shows could protect against disease – doesn't have to give up on their dreams! I can't wait to see how much we can all lose by the end of 2021!"

You can message the Friday morning group on Facebook for any joining enquiries.

Julie also posts daily to the Macc group Facebook, providing motivational quotes and recipe tips.

"I know it can be nerve-wracking to walk into a Slimming World group for the first time, especially at the moment, but I can assure anyone who's worrying about their weight that there's no judgment at Slimming World, just respect and care – and it's absolutely safe.

"Every single person in the room has been there themselves, everyone understands exactly how it feels and everyone's welcome at our group. I know that I was taking comfort in food and alcohol. As well as being able to share how we're feeling, being able to share ideas about how to enjoy delicious food and feel fitter and healthier has made a real difference not just to my weight, it's helped me have a much more positive outlook too.

"If anyone's worrying about going hungry – before I joined I definitely thought losing weight meant I'd be starving – don't. Slimming World's plan is about eating everyday foods and all your favourite meals, you just find out how to make small changes to how you cook them that make a big difference to your weight."

The Friday Slimming World group, and all Slimming World groups in Macclesfield are open now.

To find out more or to book your place contact Julie on 07909 113408. Julie can also be reached by the group's Facebook.

She says: "If you're worrying about your weight and feeling alone and desperate, don't give up. Don't put it off. Our Slimming World group is here and getting together every week. We'd love to be celebrating another huge weight loss milestone by the New Year, so if you're thinking of joining, come and be part of that success – you'll be welcomed by every one of us."

There is now also no longer a cap on the amount of members per session, from the removal of coronavirus restrictions, so the group will also be a great way to make new friends.

This article was Nubbed to Macclesfield Nub News by clicking the black 'Nub it' button on our home page.

You too can submit articles for us, just click here to get started.

Macclesfield: Have you signed up for our Friday weekly newsletter containing each week's top 10 Macclesfield news stories, and one FREE exclusive article?

520 of you have signed up already. Simply enter your email address into the shaded box below.

Free from pop-up ads, or unwanted surveys, Macclesfield Nub News is a quality online newspaper which produces 25-30 stories a week for our town.

You can also find us on Facebook or Twitter.