Ferntree Gully Take Off Weight Naturally Club members, from left, David Doughty, Cheryl McCarthy, Sue Doughty and Rachelle Sankey display the rewards of a successful weight loss campaign.By Paul Pickering
FOR a bunch of losers, the members of Ferntree Gully’s Take Off Weight Naturally (TOWN) Club are fast becoming accustomed to winning.
Having won a cabinet-full of trophies at the recent TOWN awards ceremony in Tullamarine, the group can now lay legitimate claim to the title of Victoria’s premier weight loss group.
The Ferntree Gully club more than doubled the aggregate weight loss of their nearest rival, shedding a staggering 251 kilos in the space of a year to street the field of 137 clubs from across the state.
TOWN Clubs of Victoria is a non-profit weight loss support service run primarily by volunteers.
While the movement was founded in 1968, a growing membership of 7000 people statewide suggests that it is beginning to find a foothold as an alternative to commercial weight loss programs.
Ferntree Gully group leader Sue Doughty says that the weekly meetings are characterised by a relaxed group dynamic in which everyone is encouraged to share their experiences and ideas.
Before they join, each member is required to visit their GP to decide upon a healthy goal weight.
Rather than prescribing a set diet, Ms Doughty says that the focus is on adjusting lifestyles.
Fellow member Cheryl McCarthy said: “We’re trying to get people to realise that they’re responsible for themselves, but there is a lot of support here and people who will help along the way.”
Among the group’s abundant success stories is Rachelle Sankey, who was the Queen of the Ferntree Gully club at the recent awards ceremony.
Ms Sankey has lost 19 kilos during her time as a member and says the encouragement of the group has given her the courage to change her life.
“I had very low confidence,” she recalled.
“I used to be embarrassed to go out walking but these people said just go out there and do it.”
The Ferntree Gully group has 103 members, male and female, aged 18 to 80.
There is a joining fee of $35 and a weekly cost of $5.
Prospective members can call Sue on 9874 3303.
