Inspirational East Kilbride woman Margaret Stewart managed to reverse her type 2 diabetes diagnosis and lose an incredible two stone through an NHS Lanarkshire weight loss programme.
Following her diagnosis from high blood sugar, Margaret discussed her concerns with my GP and was referred to South Lanarkshire Leisure and Culture where she was signposted to Weigh to Go.
The health board's free 15-week weight loss group supports anyone wanting to lead a healthier lifestyle and is run in partnership with South Lanarkshire Leisure and Culture and North Lanarkshire Council.
All Lanarkshire residents aged 16 and over are welcome to attend this step-by-step programme where they’ll learn simple tips to make healthier choices and positive daily habits, alongside a low impact exercise class, before they progress to Weigh to Go Maintenance.
Margaret told Lanarkshire Live : “My coach, Simon, is a lovely, down to earth chap who welcomed me, made me feel at ease and helped motivate me each week.
"I enjoy the chats we have as a group and I also feel what I have learned each week has helped me to make lifestyle changes and I feel so much better for it. I have so much more energy and feel happy.
"Reversing my type 2 diabetes diagnosis was a combination of increasing my physical activity and making dietary changes. I still go to the classes and also became an Activeage member to continue to receive support to achieve my long-term health and wellbeing goals."
Each week of Weigh to Go varies to include a wide range of easy to follow wellbeing topics, tips from others who have successfully gone through a similar journey and weekly tasks, such as completing a lifestyle diary and checking nutrition levels on food labels.
The class is led by a qualified instructor and consists of 45 minutes low impact exercise, followed by a 45-minute healthy eating and lifestyle interactive chat.
Weigh to Go Maintenance focuses on low impact exercise, but with a shorter session on healthy eating and lifestyle change discussion.
David Kennedy, health improvement senior – physical activity, NHS Lanarkshire, told us : “Weigh to Go is a fantastic programme for everyone looking to make healthy lifestyle changes and now, attendees will find these changes are even more sustainable with Weigh to Go Maintenance.
“Since Weigh to Go launched, I’ve enjoyed hearing the inspiring stories of those who have made positive healthy changes in their lives, not only where weight loss is concerned but also new confidence, managing to reverse type 2 diabetes diagnoses and visiting the gym for the first time.
“I would urge anyone thinking of making any healthy changes to give it a try. The programme incorporates both an education and physical activity element tailored to suit all fitness levels.”
Weigh to Go Maintenance is free to attend for leisure centre members, or £2.10 per session for non-members.
Healthy Valleys, Lanarkshire Community Food and Health Partnership and Getting Better Together Shotts are also now holding Weigh to Go within the community, giving residents even more classes and venues to pick from.
Book to attend your local Weigh to Go Class and find out more online.
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