Cookham's Slimming World

 

Malaysian-born Martina Bryant came to Cookham aged just six weeks old and has lived here ever since. She met her husband, Andy, 18 years ago and they have three children, Oliver, seven, Lucas, five, and Chloe, one next week. As if that wasn’t enough to keep her busy, she also runs two successful Slimming World groups in the village – and is launching another one this Friday 13th February…

 

I started a franchise of Slimming World in Cookham in August 2012, and it’s really taking off. Some people said to me that Cookham women may be too posh to slim, but obviously we’re not! Due to demand, I opened a second session in January 2013 – and I’m about to start a third session tomorrow.
I currently have 250 members and they come from Cookham, Maidenhead, Burnham, Flackwell Heath and Slough. It’s really exciting. My goal is to open
a fourth session on a Saturday morning in January 2016.

  I actually fell into the job by accident. I went to Slimming World as I wanted to lose weight for my 10th wedding anniversary – we were going to Zakynthos and I wanted to feel good on the beach. I managed to lose one and a half stone in 12 weeks. At one session, we were given a talk about working with Slimming World and, off the cuff, a friend told me to put my name down for an opportunity event. I went to the event a week later, and just a fortnight after that I had an interview. I was shipped off to a training weekend in Derby and two weeks
later, I’d bought and had set up my own evening group. And I haven’t looked back since!

   I still weigh-in every week myself and, of course, I have good and bad days. Don’t we all? My weakness is steak and chips…

   I think Slimming World works as you never have to starve yourself or go hungry. You have Free Foods that you can eat in unlimited amounts. No food
is banned. You can enjoy your favourite treats every day and still lose weight. You also don't need to worry about weighing all your food, counting points or monitoring every mouthful – I know I couldn’t be bothered with that. You decide what size you want to be and I'll help you get there. I’m looking forward to the Slimming World meals coming out in Iceland next week (18th February). The food is syn-free and easy to prepare in minutes.

   I love what I do. I’m self-employed and enjoy helping people to lose pounds and achieve their dream weight. I offer them support and advice on their journey, encouraging them to eat healthy food. I’ve also met some lovely ladies at my groups. And I’ve had a lot of success stories. One of my ladies lost seven stone – she looks amazing now! Another lost four stone on her journey and we had a big celebration in group. I support my members every step of the way but fellow members want each other to succeed just as much.

   Doing this has given me my identity back, something for me as well as my role as a mum. I have to go on a training course every two years in Derby to keep up to date with all the latest info.

   You’ll never guess what I did before… I worked at The Handmade Cake Company! Their caramel shortcake is amazing. I was the transport manager.
I also helped, and still do, with my hubby’s AP Bryant Electrical company
doing his accounts.

   I’m super busy, so I’m looking forward to our holiday in the summer – we’re
off to Menorca. I shall be sticking to my Slimming World plan to achieve a beach body in time for then. We were considering going to Malaysia at one point
– I was born there and adopted when I was just a few hours old, and I’ve never been back. 

   If you fancy coming to group, my session times are Thursday at 7.30pm,
Friday at 9.30am and my new session starts tomorrow at 11.30am, all at Cookham Dean Cricket Club. Sessions are £4.95 paid weekly, and the joining
fee is just £10 (£5 at the moment as there’s an offer on). Children are very welcome at the sessions and we offer refreshments, a raffle and awards.
It’s great fun. I hope to see you there.

 

Contact Martina on 07857 700175
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