A LEICESTERSHIRE resident has shared her top tips of how to maintain and enhance weight loss, with help from expert nutritionists at the county council’s free Weight Management Service.
Leicestershire resident Joanne Murray has credited the service with helping her lose nearly four stone. And now the 43-year-old is planning to run her first 10K.
Joanne from Coalville, used the council’s service last year to start her weight loss journey. Working night shifts as a nurse, she found herself snacking regularly and felt uncomfortable in her body.
Over the last six months she has lost considerable weight and is now training for a ten-kilometre run, having completed the NHS ‘Couch To 5k’ programme.
“It really has been a journey for me. I have a new lease on life. I’m a lot more confident and have more energy to enjoy doing the things I now love, like running and swimming,” she said.
Sharing her top tips on how to reach and maintain a healthy weight over a long period of time, Joanne said that the most important things are “making everyday changes to your diet and setting a routine.”
“Being conscious of what you are eating, how much of it, and why can help you to understand your eating habits and how they can be improved,” she revealed.
“Committing to switching to a wholemeal bread or stopping adding sugar from a hot drink, can make a big difference.
“Also Instead of saying you want to exercise every other day, be more specific. For example, aim to walk 10,000 steps every day,” she added.
“The responsibility of walking my dogs a set distance each day also makes me enjoy being active.”
Joanne also warned dieters not to expect too much, too quickly and to seek the support of friends and family.
“It isn’t healthy to lose weight too quickly, and it isn’t possible to maintain when that happens,” she said.
“I set myself a goal to lose 1lb every week, but I weigh myself every month. If I have a less successful week, I can make up for it the next.”
Residents across Leicestershire and Rutland can benefit from the authority’s Weight Management Service, which will see them partnered with an experienced nutritionist.
They offer tailored advice and guidance to help people make better decisions for their health and adopt healthy habits.
The initiative also offers free specialised services for families, pregnant women, men, and people with learning disabilities.
To find out more and get involved, visit: www.leicestershirewms.co.uk
