A real diet for real women

WHEN four Darlington slimming consultants realised they were putting on weight instead of losing it, they decided to come up with their own diet.

In 1998, tired of years of yo-yo dieting, sisters Mandy Drake and June MacFarlane, and friends Lynne Simmons and Julie Woodcock set up their own slimming organisation, Slimfit. It was re-launched earlier this year as Changes and now has dozens of classes across the North-East, as well as a flourishing postal service.

"We had tried every diet there is, even slimming pills, and we were still putting on weight. We eventually realised that fad dieting wasn't going to work," explains Mandy.

June adds: "I think one of the most important things we realised is that food isn't the enemy. We need food to live and we help people to realise that. They have to change the way they think about eating and dieting."

The Changes eating plan is based on healthy eating and portion control. There is very little weighing of foods and only the extras need to be counted. The plan is designed to ensure that no matter how much weight you need to lose, you will never feel hungry.

There are three different groups of normal, everyday foods for slimmers to choose from and they can have four choices from at least three different sections, as well as unlimited choices from the free fillers sections.

Treats and extras are allowed every day for your favourite food or drinks and a generous allowance of half of pint of skimmed or semi-skimmed milk.

The free fillers section of the plan allows unlimited amounts of low calorie fruits and vegetables, tea, coffee, sugar-free jelly and low calorie soup, as well as a long list of other food and drinks.

Mandy says: "I think the thing people really like is the normality. You don't have to make separate meals for yourself and the family and it's real food.

"People think dieting has to be about suffering but it shouldn't be like that. I like to go out and eat and have a few drinks and that's fine. You can have whatever you like as long as it's in moderation."

For more information, call Changes on (01325) 260060 or visit the website at www.changes.uk.com

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'I ate 24 hours a day and piled on the stones...'

SINCE she joined Changes last year, Kirsteen Campbell has lost 5st 12lbs. "My life has changed. I am unrecognisable from the big shy girl with no self-esteem who longed to join in. I don't hide away in corners any more," she says.

The 31-year-old mum of two began to put on weight when she was pregnant for the first time at 19. "I felt totally worthless and continued to gain weight steadily in my 20s. I tried various clubs but never really believed I could succeed and always comforted myself with more food," she says. "My lowest ebb came with a miscarriage. I ate 24 hours a day and piled on a further three stones. I didn't know how to stop the destructive cycle."

Kirsteen, an accounts assistant who lives in Darlington, decided she had to do something about her weight and joined Changes after it was recommended by a family member.

When she attended her first class, she was 17st 6lbs and a size 22 to 24. Her self-esteem was at rock bottom and she was also going through a painful divorce. But she stuck to the eating plan, learned to address issues such as comfort eating, and has lost 5st 12lbs. Since losing weight, she has stopped having back problems and her fitness levels have improved.

"I'm 100 per cent more confident. I no longer watch people having fun, I join in and enjoy myself. Clothes shopping is a pleasure. I can wear what suits me rather than just what fits. I look forward to getting dressed on a morning now and don't go out of the door depressed.

"The children were frightened they'd lose their cuddly mum but now I'm much more fun to be around. I cried the first time my little boy put his arms around my waist and they reached fully."