TWO Uttoxeter slimmers received praise from a top comedian as they attended a ceremony celebrating their successful weight loss.
Alison Crawford, who manages Slimming World groups in Uttoxeter, and Dolly Lowndes, who runs weekly Slimming World groups at Wilfred House in Carter Street, both met funnyman Jason Manford at the awards ceremony in Birmingham.
The Salford-born former 8 Out of 10 Cats team captain, who has appeared on a string of television shows including Show Me the Funny, Comedy Rocks and Live at the Apollo, joined host and Slimming World’s founder, Margaret Miles- Bramwell OBE, FRSA.
Both women said meeting Manford was the perfect ending to another extraordinary year for Slimming World which helps more than a million people every year to lose weight and lead healthier, happier lives.
Ms Crawford said: “But there’s still a lot of work to be done with some of the highest levels of obesity in Europe here in the UK, in 2012 we want to help even more people to slim down and improve their health starting this January.
“At this time of year lots of people will be making New Year’s resolutions and pledging to lose weight, and we’d love anyone who wants to make a change to come along and join us.
“Even if they’ve struggled to stick to resolutions in the past, there’s no need to be put off. Slimming World’s Food Optimising eating plan isn’t a diet, it’s an easy, healthy way of eating that the whole family can enjoy.
“By making small easy changes to the way they shop, cook and eat, members see a big difference on the scales.
“Better yet because members can enjoy unlimited amounts of a long list of every day foods from fruit and veg to pasta and rice and lean meat to eggs and fat free dairy, they never have to go hungry.
“When you combine this with all the support, fun and friendship that members get at a Slimming World group, that’s a powerful weight loss package that’s hard to beat.” Manford said: “Presenting the Slimming World Awards was a real honour. I was blown away by the achievements of all of the slimmers who joined us on stage.
“Throughout the day I met so many inspirational people, not only the slimmers collecting awards but also the amazing people like Dolly and Alison who run the groups and help them achieve so much. It’s literally changed their lives beyond all recognition.
“I know keeping weight in control is a challenge for a lot of us these days and I think the people of Uttoxeter are very lucky to have someone who is clearly asdedicated to their members as Dolly is and to have such a great support network on their doorstep.
“If anyone in Uttoxeter is thinking about trying to lose weight, I can honestly say that this Slimming World group is the place to do it.” More information is available by visiting www.slimmingworld.com to find the nearest Slimming World group.
