Plymouth man stopped 'starving himself' and lost six stone
A Plymouth man has lost six stone after following a sensible diet and exercise regime - without having to restrict what he eats. Dougie Rogers is set to share his expert weight loss knowledge with members as he prepares to run his own Slimming World groups in Devonport from October 24.
Describing himself as no longer the 'couch slouch' and now a keen cyclist, Dougie transformed his own life by losing nearly six stone and is using his success to shape a whole new career helping other people change their lives and achieve their weight loss dreams.
Dougie joined his local Slimming World group in Tavistock in January and having already lost almost three stone by himself, dropped that very hard to shift final 3 stone
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Dougie said: “I cannot believe that I am no longer that sedentary guy sitting at my desk or on the sofa. I had realised that my weight was having a detrimental effect on both my physical and my mental health; I used to hold my breath to tie my shoes because my belly was in the way.
"I was diagnosed as pre-diabetic and taking medication for high cholesterol and blood pressure but I’m now free of all these medicines."
The latest figures from the Devon County Council website reveal that almost 60% of adults in Devon are overweight or obese. Having trained as a consultant for Slimming World, the UK’s largest group-based weight loss organisation, at its national training academy in Derbyshire, Dougie says
He added: “Obesity is becoming such a huge issue across the UK. When I first joined Slimming World as a member, I never dreamed that I would end up helping other people to lose weight, but now I just can’t wait to get started.
“After my initial weight loss on my own I found that my weight loss was like a yo-yo. I always regaining the weight that I had lost and sometimes even more. I couldn’t get to or sustain a healthy weight and with having a new grandson I didn’t want to be the person who was looking after the bags from the sidelines or watching him run around from the comfort of the car because I was ashamed of the way I looked and felt.
"The extra energy I have now has changed everything. I think the most incredible thing about my weight loss is realising that my body and my mind is capable of so much more now, I can now walk many of the Dartmoor Tors and cycle 30 to 40 miles in a session. I’m planning to cycle the Devon coast to coast route from Ilfracombe to Plymouth, a total of 99 miles over 2 days. After losing a further 3 stone with Slimming World, maintaining a healthy weight and completing my training, it’s a privilege for me to be able to pass on the experience, insight, and understanding that helped me so that I can give my members the support they need to get to target.”
“Support is really the most important thing. It all starts with feeling that you’re not alone. I couldn’t have lost the final 3 stone without the weekly help, encouragement, and understanding of my own consultant and group. As someone who has lost weight myself, I know the challenges people can face, which is why, along with the group, I will be there to support every one of my members all the way to their chosen target weight. Setting targets, sharing recipes and other ideas, and working together as a group to overcome challenges and celebrate success is so important to a successful journey. That’s why, at my Slimming World group, there’ll be tonnes of support, encouragement, and fun.
“Like a lot of slimmers, I had tried to lose weight so many times before by following numerous diets, but they were never sustainable because I’d always get tired of restricting what I ate. I thought I was destined to struggle with my weight for the rest of my life, but when I came to Slimming World, it was different. I never felt like I was on a diet.
“The eating plan encourages you to eat lots of tasty, filling foods like pasta, rice, potatoes, and lean meat and fish. You are never hungry, and no foods are banned, so there’s no deprivation. I couldn’t believe I’d found a way to lose weight without starving myself.
“Slimming World isn’t just about changing what you eat. Becoming more active is important too. Our Body Magic programme takes the threat out of activity by showing people, many of whom have unpleasant memories of being forced to take part in activity at school, how they can build activity into their daily routine without having to take up traditional forms of exercise like going to the gym or running. Everything counts, from walking to gardening to washing the car. I love cycling and walking along the moors, and all this activity counts towards my Body Magic awards.
“As a consultant, it’s my role to create that warm, supportive atmosphere to get people sharing their ideas and experiences to help others – it’s going to be great fun!”
Like Dougie all Slimming World consultants are former members who have lost weight at their local group themselves, and groups are set up as individual businesses in the heart of local communities. There are currently around 4,000 Slimming World consultants across the UK and Ireland running 15,000 groups.
Margaret Roberts, who is the District Manager for Slimming World in Devon and Cornwall, said: “Slimming World consultants are chosen for their positive outlook and because they genuinely care about the health and happiness of others. With Dougie’s experience of being a successful Slimming World member and his kind and warm personality and great sense of humour, I just know that he’ll be an amazing support to members, cheering them all the way to their target weight.”
Dougie’s group will be held at Devonport Guildhall every Thursday at 9.30am, 5.30pm and 7pm For more information or to join Dougie’s group, contact him on 07804 601610, or just turn up – a very warm welcome awaits - or visit www.slimmingworld.co.uk to find your nearest group.