About Herts Slimming Clubs
Herts Slimming has been established in Hemel Hempstead since May 2001, and has a proven track record for helping people lose weight and most importantly stay at their ideal weight.
The service is operated by Debbie Stokes, who has lost almost 6 stone herself. She has worked since 1999 helping people with weight problems and realised that a more personal approach was needed to help people lose weight and stay slim.
Why Herts Slimming Clubs is different to other slimming organisations
The ethos of Herts Slimming is based around healthy eating and exercise, changing eating habits gradually to lead to a healthier way of eating, avoiding diets. Diets do not work long term, as the tendency to go on and off diets, means the cycle of yo- yo dieting is never broken.
"On joining every member receives a full lifestyle assessment"
We work to change eating habits and lifestyle by introducing eating plans which guide eating habits into a more balanced approach and encouraging more exercise. The main eating plan is the Healthy Start which gives a fruit and dairy allowance, a choice of breakfast, lunches and evening meals and an allowance of free choice calories dependant on the amount of weight which needs to be lost and the activity level of the individual. We also have plans to cater for vegetarians, men, chocolate lovers and seasonal plans such as the summer No Cook plan and the Autumn and Winter Comfort plan.
On joining every member receives a full lifestyle assessment and all advice is tailored to the individual. In the classes weekly information is given in the form of a talk and usually an accompanied information sheet. The programme has been carefully compiled to cover topics such as fat, fibre, sugar, healthier snacking, portion control, alcohol, eating out, achieving a balanced diet, exercise recommendations and motivational ideas.
The support and motivation also is a major part of losing weight and this offered by weekly weigh in sessions and discussions to look at the reasons why overeating occurs. Advice and strategies are given in order to help with this area. Once a person reaches their healthy weight they are guided through the target weight maintenance programme and then are given a life membership to Herts Slimming which they can use to weigh for free at the classes or they are charged a reduced visit fee if they require a home visit. This ongoing support plays an important role in ensuring the weight remains stable.
Events and Incentives
Once an ideal weight has been achieved every member is offered the opportunity to have a makeover with a national magazine, a wonderful all expenses paid day which recognises all the effort which has gone into losing weight. Occasionally members have received a makeover and appeared in magazines that are not quite at their ideal weight for particular features, these are offered to members who have shown effort with regard to losing weight.
"....a wonderful all expenses paid day which recognises all the effort which has gone into losing weight. "
Herts Slimming also hosts an annual Successful Slimmer event awarding prizes for weight loss achievement and awards a Slimmer of the Year prize. We also hold regular incentives and hold an annual sponsored slim. Over 4,000 has been raised to date for local worthy charities. We also encourage members to donate unwanted chocolates and sweets received at Christmas and Easter which we give to local elderly care units.
A service tailored to your needs
The weight loss service can be tailored to your needs. You can choose to attend weekly classes, have 1-2-1 to support in your home, support via email, phone or post or have a work place club (subject to a minimum number). Herts Slimming currently operates a workplace class for Asda, Hemel Hempstead which has proved both convenient for staff and has generated changes in the food served in the canteen!