Low carb/real food programme

Bentley Village Surgery, Chawton Park Surgery, Boundaries Surgery and The Wilson Practice

Welcome to the low carb/real food programme

“I really want people to understand what it can do for them, especially in the long-term and those who have tried many other diets. I am still losing , slowing down a bit, but I don’t care as long as it’s in the right direction! I have lost 3 more pounds.” (Shared with permission from participant on the Nov/Dec 2020 programme)

If you’re reading this, you’re wanting to find out more about the online weight loss and health programme I’m organising with your GP surgery, starting in mid-February. This page tells you a bit about the programme and explains how to register for the pre-course information session on Monday 15th February at 6.30pm.

To register for the information session, please click the button below. It’ll take you to Zoom where you can enter your details. You’ll then be emailed a link to join the session on 15th February. If you’re new to Zoom there’s more about it further down this page. Registering for the info session doesn’t commit you to the whole programme. It is important, however, that you attend the info session so you know what to expect.

Register for the information session

Register

When, what, who?

There will be seven sessions, the first four at weekly intervals, the last three at fortnightly intervals. This is so that you have regular support in the early weeks, but more time to try things out and see what works for you later on in the programme.

Session dates: 22nd Feb, 1st, 8th and 15th March (ie weekly), then 29th March, 12th and 26th April. All are at 6.30 – 8pm, via Zoom.

The programme is designed for people with type 2 diabetes, pre-diabetes, or who have been advised to lose weight. The programme aims are to help people:

Get control of type 2 diabetes, or even put it into remission
Reverse pre-diabetes
Reduce blood glucose and HbA1c
Lose weight
Improve overall health, wellbeing and energy.

Partners, spouses and those living with and/or caring for people with type 2 diabetes are also very welcome.

There is no charge for this programme.

As well as being a registered health coach, I’m an ambassador for the Public Health Collaboration, a charity dedicated to informing and implementing healthy decisions for better public health. It’s in this capacity that I’m running this course for surgeries in the Bentley/Alton/Four Marks area. You can find out more about me and my work on this website.

How does it work?

For the info session I’ll take you through the programme, what it covers, what to expect and how to sign up. The info session will pretty much be in the form of a presentation, although of course you’ll have the chance to ask questions, either live or via the ‘chat’ function. Dr Natalie Smith from Bentley Village Surgery will be there, too.

For the actual programme sessions, even though we’re talking via Zoom, the programme is as interactive as possible so that you can ask questions and share experiences and ideas with fellow participants. We work in groups of about 8 -10 people (you’ll remain in the same group throughout the programme). Each group is led by one or two volunteer facilitators from the Public Health Collaboration. Partners, spouses and family members will be in the same group, unless you prefer not to be.

You can also ask your GP or practice nurse for more info.

Here’s what some of the participants from previous courses have said:

“It’s been the easiest way to lose wight that I have ever tried and I am delighted with the HbA1c results”

“I’m very grateful for the opportunity to be part of this programe. Sincere thanks to all for making this a very positive and helpful 12 weeks”

“My general health has improved, my weight has reduced by 7.8 kg and my insulin dosage has reduced massively”

“An excellent and life changing course”

“A big thank you – eye opening”

“So far I’ve lost two stone and eight inches from my waist. I know I have more to lose, but now I believe it is achievable. You and Chris have proved that to me!”

It’s a remarkable change in lifestyle. I think my energy levels are more consistent. I shall carry on for ever with this type of eating”

“So good to lose weight without feeling hungry so often, and to have a pattern which is sustainable indefinitely”

“I have started doing more exercise including lifting some small weights so am hoping that I will get myself fitter as well as healthier. May even consider couch to 5K…”

How to Zoom

Zoom is free for you to use and you don’t need a Zoom account to take part, although if you haven’t used it before, it’ll ask you to download the software onto your phone/iPad/computer. For all the sessions, including the info session, you’ll be sent a link or ‘invitation’ to the session. Just click on that link and you’ll be taken straight to the ‘waiting room’. If you are asked for a meeting ID or password, all this info is contained in the information accompanying the link you receive. From here, after a short wait, you’ll ‘be let in’ to the meeting and off we go. When you’ve registeredk the registration link near the top of the page. I will send you an email with an ‘invitation’ to the session. If you’re unfamiliar with Zoom, here’s some info and a short video which explains it: https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/articles/201362193-How-Do-I-Join-A-Meeting-

It’s not complicated but it’s worth familiarising yourself with how it all works beforehand. Checking your microphone and webcam work beforehand is very useful. I’m afraid I’m unable to help you with technicalities around setting up Zoom.

The video in the above ‘how to’ link talks about selecting a background. Please don’t worry about this… unless you want to!