At Solihull Lighten Up, Gateway’s call centre staff support people who want to lose weight. As well as referrals to our own weight management course “Lighten Up For Life“, and vouchersĀ for commercial groups Slimming World and Weight Watchers, Solihull Lighten Up offers extra telephone support – regular phonecalls to check in with people, making sure theyāre happy with the help theyāre getting, talking through issues, and hopefully providing a bit of extra motivation for people on their way to achieving their goals.
One thing our Solihull Lighten Up call centre team rarely do, however, is meet their clients in person.
This week, six months after first contacting Solihull Lighten Up – and now an amazing 3st 8lb lighter! – Tracy came into the Gateway office and met Lighten Up Administrator Sue for the first time. It was emotional for both of them.
Tracy’s story
“This time last year, I was unhappy with my weight. I’ve always struggled with it, on and off, but nothing has ever felt permanent.
Tracy in July 2017
“I’d been to Slimming World before and by the summer I was wondering about going back – even going so far as having a conversation with the consultant I’d had before – but I hadn’t quite made the decision to go. I had also picked up a leaflet for Solihull Lighten Up at my GP surgery, and thought about contacting them, but after carrying the leaflet around for a bit, I eventually threw it away!
“The turning point came when I was invited to my friend’s barbecue, on the August bank holiday weekend. I knew there would be people there I hadn’t seen for years and, to be honest, it scared me. The last time I’d seen them, I’d lost a lot of weight thanks to a meal replacement diet and at that time, they’d made comments like, ‘you’re looking much better now,’ and ‘you used to be so big!’
“But since then, I’d put a lot of it back on.
“I couldn’t face it. In the car on the way there, I had what I can only describe as a panic attack. The thought of seeing the people who’d commented before … I couldn’t go. I remember my son saying, ‘what’s the matter, mom?!’ I really panicked.
“It was a lightbulb moment for me. I’d had depression in the past and I could see that the signs were there again. That experience really shook me into action.
“I knew I wanted to join a group again, but I liked the idea of extra support, so I found the details for Solihull Lighten Up and I phoned as soon as I could.
“I spoke to Sue the day before my birthday and she was just amazing. She really listened to me and we talked about how I was feeling, which I hadn’t really expected … but Sue made it easy. I found I could be completely honest with her and I hadn’t done that before. I ended up pouring my heart out to her for what must have been 30 or 40 minutes and I felt a lot better. It had already helped.
“When Sue told me that I was eligible for support from Solihull Lighten Up, I was a bit overwhelmed, to be honest. I was certainly surprised – I’m in full time work and I had thought that only people on benefits would be eligible, but she assured me I fit all the criteria and deserved the help.
“I started at Slimming World that weekend.
Tracy in April 2018
“The thing is, though, it feels really different this time. I’ve done diets before, and I’ve been to Slimming World before, and I’ve had successes – I’ve lost weight. But it didn’t feel like a long-term change. I’d lose the weight, and then I would put it back on at the first sign of stress (and at the time, I did have a lot of work stress). I was always up and down.
“This time, everything feels like it’s come together a lot better. I feel even more responsible because there’s someone who believes in me, getting in touch and giving me that extra push.
“Before, I would eat the right number of ‘syns’ and lose the weight, but this time round it feels like I’m doing more than that. I’ve certainly changed the way I eat – I’m having my five a day as a matter of routine now. I’m making fresh, healthy food, and enjoying it! Slimming World is really good but with the support from Lighten Up on top, I feel like people have invested in me, which makes me feel more motivated.
“I’ve actually changed my lifestyle. It feels sustainable.”
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