A slimmer who transformed her life by losing 4 stone is using her success to shape a whole new career helping other people change their lives and achieve their weight loss dreams too.
Anna Dunnett joined Dee’s fabulous Slimming World group in Southport six years ago and dropped from 12 stone 3 lbs to 8 stone 3 lbs.
Now, Anna has trained as a Consultant for Slimming World, the UK’s largest group-based weight loss organisation, at their national training academy in Derbyshire. Members at the group are getting ready to welcome Anna as their new Consultant when she takes over the group on 2nd February 2024.
With the support of husband Jeff and her Slimming World group, Anna lost 4 stone and has kept if off for four and a half years and counting.
She said: “Support is really the most important thing. It all starts with feeling that you’re not alone. I couldn’t have lost 4 stone without the understanding from Jeff, the weekly encouragement and help from my own Consultant Dee and the group.
“The Slimming world plan became an integral part of family mealtime. We never felt like the family 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, eating with the family and socialising.
Anna Dunnett, a slimmer who transformed her life by losing 4 stone, has become a Consultant for Slimming World
“As a dancer I was always told I could lose a few pounds so had tried numerous diets, but they were never sustainable. The weight loss made a huge difference to my overall wellbeing and the IBS symptoms I’d suffered over the years. This is why my hubby Jeff was 100% behind cooking the meals at home, helping prepare tasters for group and even DJing at the Slimming World 50Th Anniversary group party. The habits had become an intrinsic part of our life.”
Sadly 15 months ago Anna lost her husband Jeff, very suddenly and unexpectedly leaving Anna broken-hearted and a single parent to their son Andrew.
Anna said: “It is now of utmost importance to stay fit and healthy. I know Jeff would want me to continue with the good habits we’d created as a family and would want me to be in the best place possible, both mentally and physically to care for our son Andrew, the most precious gift he could have left me.
“Through this extremely difficult time I have managed to stay in target and of this I know Jeff would be immensely proud.
“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 dancing and have rekindled the motivation to not just teach, but also perform again, supporting my son in his love for theatre which in turn gets me out meeting people.
Anna Dunnett, a slimmer who transformed her life by losing 4 stone, has become a Consultant for Slimming World. Anna pictured before her 4 stone weight loss
“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 losing 4 stone 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.
“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 tons of support, encouragement, and fun.”
Like Anna Slimming World Consultants are all former members who have lost weight at their local group themselves and groups are set up as micro 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. Consultants receive training in Slimming World’s healthy eating and physical activity programs and learn how to use the power of group support to empower members to take control of their own weight loss journey. As self-employed micro-entrepreneurs, consultants also learn how to build a successful community-based business.
Anna Dunnett, a slimmer who transformed her life by losing 4 stone, has become a Consultant for Slimming World. Anna pictured before her 4 stone weight loss
Anna says she can’t wait for the new challenges: “For me becoming a self-employed franchisee was a great option. I wanted an extra job that was flexible and could fit around work and my son Andrew, so launching my own Slimming World group was an ideal option – I feel like I’ve got a brand-new career, and I can’t wait for my new groups to run now!”
Anna’s consultant Dee Wright said: “Losing weight and maintaining weight loss isn’t easy, with the support and care from group and using our Slimming World Slim For Life journal to embed the habit changes, Anna has been a target member for over four years now, we think she is amazing, even more so given the incredibly difficult months after losing Jeff and becoming a single parent to Andrew. We wish her every success on the relaunch of her group.”
- Anna’s Slimming World group will be held at Liverpool Road Methodist Church, Liverpool Road, Birkdale, Southport every Friday 9am and 10:30am from 2nd February. For more information or to join Anna’s group either pop along on Friday 2nd February or call her on 07756 743351
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