It's the amazing shrinking family

Sep 30 2008 By Diane Parkes

SHIFTING the inches is a family affair with three generations losing 100lb between them.

In fact, Saturday morning at the Shirley WeightWatchers group is a complete family get-together with grandmother down to granddaughter comparing their successes.

It all began in January of this year when husband and wife team 38-year-old Helen and 48-year-old Jeff Hughes of Solihull joined the group – and began to drop the pounds.

“They did really well really quickly,” says Helen’s mum Veronica Mytton of Hollywood.

“Helen has lost 20lbs and Jeff managed to lose 45lbs. When I saw how well they were doing and how slim they were becoming I decided to join as well.”

At 68 Veronica had tried losing weight many times in the past but had never succeeded long term.

“I had a number of health reasons for needing to lose weight and although I had done things like WeightWatchers before it had never worked,” she says.

“But seeing how well the others were doing gave me a lot of encouragement.”

No sooner was Veronica signed up than her sister Anne Fisher, aged 69, of Wythall, decided to give it a go.

“She has done really well and has already managed to lose about half a stone,” says Veronica.

Following close behind is Veronica and Anne’s niece Gill Hand, aged 48, and the latest recruit is Gill’s daughter Rosie, aged 15.

“Rosie does a lot of sport and is very fit but she is worried about her weight and wants to tone up,” says Veronica, who has six children, 11 grandchildren and three great grandchildren. “Because she is under 16 we had to get a doctor’s approval but they were very happy for her to join.”

So each Saturday the family join forces at the Shirley Centre in Stratford Road between 9.30am-10.30am.

“It is a social thing,” says Veronica. “It is great to see everyone. We have always been a close family so we enjoy doing this together.

“And it gives you a lot of support. You don’t mind standing on the scales because if you have had a bad week the others will support you.

“We spend all our time swapping recipes or giving each other ideas of what we can do. And when we all reach our goal weights we will still keep going as we enjoy it so much.”

Group leader Debbie Court says all the family have been successful.

“They highlight the fact that a family can still enjoy socialising as a family and yet lose weight and reap huge health benefits,” she says.