27/07/2025
Long post alert!
It has been such a long time since I posted anything over here, I thought I should pop across to give a final update! Almost 9 years ago I started my journey as a Slimming World Consultant in a little church hall in Eaglescliffe. At that time I had no idea that it would become my sole job or that it would become my passion. Having lost over 4 stone myself on the plan I was already a convert and I was so excited to help others to achieve their dreams as I had done. That little group grew and grew and it wasn't long until I took on another licence in Ingleby Barwick, having done a stint as a relief consultant in Newton Aycliffe in between. Life throws curveballs sometimes and I was made redundant from my job, I got another one straight away but absolutely hated it🤣, I stuck it out for a few weeks and then I had the opportunity to take on more groups as 2 consultants left their posts, as you all know I jumped at the chance and became the permanent consultant for the Yarm groups as well as covering Thornaby for over a year as relief.
My time as your consultant was one of the happiest of my working life, to have the privilege to be a part of the achievements (of which there were many both on the scales and off) to be included in your celebrations, to be celebrated (I will never forget my fiftieth surprise in All Saints 🤣 you all made more of a fuss of me than my family did!), the Luna awards lol, I thought I would be doing the role forever. However, when lockdown struck we all found ourselves in such a strange situation, who will ever forget that open all hours Zoom room! On the one hand it was a terrible time but on the other I got to know a lot of you on such a personal level thanks to that zoom room. The groups were never the same after the lockdown was finally lifted and I retrained to supplement my income ultimately meaning I had to reduce my groups so I could follow this new career. Not a decision I took lightly and one that really did break my heart 🥲, I kept my Saturday morning group on - where it all started, but when disaster hit in December 2023 ad I had a nasty accident resulting in a broken leg, despite some amazing support from everyone in the group and the wonderful Debs stepping in (I will be forever grateful) I took the heart-breaking decision in May 2024 to step down permanently. Our incredible area manager offered me a lifeline in that I could take a leave of absence instead of leaving so I could recover from my injuries and come back when I was ready. Now, a year plus on I have had to make the decision to hang up my scales permanently as I just cannot give the role what it needs and what you, my members deserve.
My Eaglescliffe group has been looked after by the gorgeous Sarah James and now a year on she will be taking it on permanently - and I am so happy that she is - Sarah is an incredible consultant (I go to her group on Fridays) and I couldn't have wished for anyone better to have taken the group on.
If you have read all of this so far - thank you! I just want to sign off and say bye bye, I want to thank Slimming World for an incredible 9 years, their care and trust in me and for holding the post open for me for as long as they have done, but most of all I want to thank you, my members (and I will always think of you as mine!) you have been nothing short of amazing, I have made some gorgeous friends and had the best time with you all.
Take real good care of yourselves and please do stay in touch
