Thursday 3rd January 2019 - Local services - weight management

Posted 2:00pm

Although this is a bit of a personal entry, in reality it fits in with the HMHB ethos.

We are actively promoting a healthy lifestyle - which includes exercise, nutrition, routine and mindset. It is important that we, ourselves, demonstrate that to the people we are talking to. How are people meant to take us seriously if we do not appear to believe in our programmes.

I, Lazza, as people know, have had my own mental health issues, which is where the concept for healthy Minds, Healthy Bods emerged. Part of that has been my fluctuating weight. I would like to be around 76kgs. That is about 12 stone and fits in well with my height, as well as happy times in my life.

Five years ago I was 90kgs. Three years ago I got down to 74kgs. This morning I was 96.5kgs. It is time to stop the yoyoimng and be proactive and accountable. I take photographs for the business and I neglect to put some online as I am unhappy with how I look. That should be incentive enough.

I have therefore gone online and self-referred myself onto the "rebalance" weight management programme managed by my local NHS trust (Camden and Islington). I can lose the weight myself I know. I did it three year ago. But this time, for various reasons, it has not been easy, so I know being around others will help me. This also follows the HMHB values, around group exercise, getting outdoors and meeting people, setting targets, and encouragement of others.

The course is organised to build confidence, and allow you to take control of your lifestyle. Confidence is key. It includes a weekly programme of diet and nutrition advice (which I guess will be helpful as we move forward too), along with a range of group exercise classes. I am really looking forward to these.  And the great things is, at he end of the 12 weeks you can receive a further nine months of free support from coaches to help you stick to the new lifestyle.

Another reason for doing this is that we can promote this service to any of our service users, with inside knowledge of the benefits. I am sure I can start again losing the weight. I am targeting a loss of 22.5kgs over a year. This is around half a kg a week - or just 1lb a week. I can do it this time. I know I can. But it will also be testament to the growth mindset menttality.