Weight loss group wants to grow

The Peninsula Slim-Downers has been running for 52 years and is looking to expand its membership this year.

The weight loss group first formed in 1973, aiming to help people lose weight and live a healthy lifestyle.

The group follows the guidelines of The Heart Foundation and is focused on motivating members to maintain healthy weight loss.

While the group doesn’t exercise together, members help each other stay on track and to lose weight through incentivised programs and weekly meetings.

Peninsula Slim-Downer’s Vice-President Carol Reece says the most important aspect is friendship and a sense of community.

“I think the friendship of it is the most important, and to encourage people to live a healthy lifestyle; whether you lose one pound or 100 pounds,” Carol says.

“Everyone is very encouraging, but I think it’s important because some of these women here ... Thursdays is their only interaction all week with anyone. I do think it’s important to keep it going and I would certainly like to try and keep it going.”

The Peninsula Slim-Downers group meets every Thursday from 8-10.30am to weigh in.

It’s not entirely about weight loss though, as the group facilitates activities throughout the year including bus trips, lunches, Christmas parties and dinners.

“When there are five Thursdays in the month, a bus trip is organised, and we just do whatever is going,” Carol says.

“We’ve been up to llama farms and salmon farms (in the past). We like to do general interest things where older members can go and be safe and enjoy it.”

The two main events are a graduation dinner and a Christmas break-up lunch, which are both paid for by the Redcliffe Dolphins Leagues Club.

The group also meets for lunch every month and recognises member anniversaries.

“We’ve got some members who have been here for 40 years…so we celebrate those milestones at the end of the month and then we go and have lunch,” Carol explains.

There are a few small fees involved before joining the group, including a $10 yearly fee, which is paid in $5 increments in January and June; and a $3 weekly fee.

Men and women of all ages are welcome.

To find out more, phone Peninsula Slim-Downers President Adrienne Flood on 0405 423 208.