Really cant believe that comment from Bige!
Fine, you dont agree with it. Yes, its unfair that its only available to certain people due to the randomness of Primary care trusts and local health authorities etc - but isnt it better that its available to some than not at all?
If I hadnt been referred to Slimming World by my nurse, it wouldnt have occured to me to join a group - its just not the sort of thing that I would usually do. And before you ask - yes I could have afforded it - thats not the point. I probably would have just tried dieting on my own and gave up because without the weekly weigh in discipline, the shiny stickers, the support, encouragement and advice I would never have got this far.
Or, I would have gone on some faddy diet, lost the weight I wanted, then piled it all back on once i got fed up with milkshakes twice a day, and would have ended up back where I started.
Without Slimming World, I probably would have slowly slipped further and further into obesity causing much more damage and cost to the NHS through heart problems, diabetes, cancer, strokes etc etc.
As it is, I have the structure of a healthy eating plan that I can live with and maintain for life.
Worth £144 of any PCTs money I'd have thought.
Once the vouchers ran out, I joined as a paying member and will continue to pay until I reach target, which is just over 5lbs away. And once I reach target I plan on continuing to go back for free, volunteering at the pay station, providing incentivisation to new joiners, offering my advice and experience.
Or do you think thats not fair either and target members should pay too???
I suppose you object to stopping smoking schemes as well?