Slimmer of the Year Margaret Pammenter.
Camera IconSlimmer of the Year Margaret Pammenter. Credit: Supplied/Supplied

A community pledge to lose weight

Karen Valenti, Comment NewsCanning Gazette

Weight Watchers Federation (WA Inc) is a weight loss club with a difference ” unlike commercial organisations, it is community-based and members pay just $2 to $5 to attend weekly meetings.

The WA Federation recently hosted its annual statewide Slimmer of the Year competition at Cannington Exhibition Centre.

Margaret Pammenter, from the Dianella Weight Watchers club, won.

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She lost 39kg during the 12-month competition period while runner-up Julie Clark, who attends Ellenbrook Community Weight Loss Club, shed 33.5kg. The third place winner, Susan Melville, from Esperance Weight Watchers, lost 25.5kg.

Margaret Pammenter has lost a total of 100kg during the past six years and feels energised by the weight loss

‘My journey has been very hard,’ Ms Pammenter said.

‘It’s difficult to be really good. There is never an easy day. You have to change your mindset.’

Ms Pammenter said she enjoys long walks most days, which is a far cry from not so long ago, when she had trouble walking to the letterbox.

Support received from her club was also important, she said.

‘I felt comfortable attending the weekly meetings and encourage everyone who needs to lose weight to hear the words in the pledge that members recite at their local community based Weight Watchers Federation (WA Inc) club.’

The Pledge Reads:

‘I will use my intelligence to reduce sensibly, I will put food in its proper place in my life, and not use it to comfort me for my frustrations or misfortunes to which over-eating will only add.’

‘I will help and encourage my fellow members to do likewise.’

The slimmers also see the word calorie as an important acronym. They say it stands for: C ” Choose a balanced diet. A ” Avoid extras. L ” Learn to say no. O ” Offer to help others. R ” Regulate eating habits. I ” Interest yourself in a hobby. E ” Exercise moderately, walking is excellent.