When Alma Hall from Flower Mound joined a weight loss club brand new to the U.S., she never dreamed that she’d be helping others do the same just months later. Forty pounds lighter, the trim Flower Mound businesswoman has become one of the first Texans to open a Slimming World group in the U.S., helping others achieve the same weight loss success.

For over 40 years, Slimming World, a household name in the UK, has been helping Brits lose weight. Its weight loss groups opened in Denton and Collin counties in summer 2009 and to date have helped hundreds of people lose pounds, improve their health and lead a healthier lifestyle.

Alma said: “I was a size 18 when I joined my Slimming World group and I was desperate to lose weight. My knees were agony, my doctor was on the verge of giving me blood pressure meds and, worse of all, I couldn’t keep up with my kids and husband when we went out together. I’d tried diet pills, shakes, other clubs and even starvation to lose those pounds, but they left me hungry and bored. When I first joined Slimming World as a member, it was different than everything I’d tried before – I never felt like I was on a diet.”

Slimming World’s healthy eating plan encourages you to fill up on unlimited amounts of foods like pasta, rice, potatoes, lean meat, fish, fruit and vegetables without weighing, measuring or counting. No food is banned – even chips, chocolate and wine! And there’s no need to buy special meals. The plan uses everyday foods that can be found at your local grocery store.

“Each week the whole group supports and inspires each other with lots of recipe ideas, hints and tips, and extra support from the Consultant who runs the group whenever anyone needs it. There are no lectures and no-one’s weight is ever read out – just their weight change. I’ve gone from a size 18 to a trim size 10. My blood pressure is now normal and my knee pain totally gone! Best of all, my family can enjoy the same meals as me, and I can keep up with them when we go out!”

“Obesity is such a huge problem in Texas, and 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 their weight loss target.”

Alma’s Slimming World group opens on March 25 at Flower Mound Community Church (3415 Cross Timbers Rd - 1/2 mile west of FM 2499), and will be open every Thursday at 9:30am & 5:30pm. Enroll for free on March 25 and save $20!

For more information about Slimming World, and for details of their other weight loss groups, visit www.slimmingworldusa.com.