Healthy Weighs across the Hebrides

Do you want to lose weight? ‘Healthy Weighs’ is an exciting new and free NHS Western Isles service aimed to provide advice and support to those who wish to not only lose weight, but also keep it off!

If you have more than a stone to lose, then ‘Healthy Weighs’ is the programme for you – and for the first time, residents across the Western Isles chain can access Healthy Weighs with NHSWI Healthy Weight Practitioners Monica MacLeod in place to cover Uists and Barra and Laura MacLeod in Lewis and Harris.

“It’s really exciting to have representation in the Uists and Barra,” said Monica, who is based in Barra but will be travelling to venues in Benbecula and South Uist to deliver ‘Healthy Weighs’.

“I’m looking forward to meeting people and families and having the opportunity to make a real difference in their lives,” she continued. “Our weight can impact so much on our wellbeing and we’re here to help people become more fit and active and to enjoy life.”

Monica and Laura will be delivering ‘Healthy Weighs’ registration sessions, open to anyone interested, in various community locations across the islands.

These will be followed by monthly meetings through which participants have the opportunity to ask questions and hear tips towards achieving a healthier weight, as well as having their weight taken.

Participants also receive a starter pack, weekly motivational texts with the option to text their weekly weight, and access to electronic resources such as fact-sheets and video clips.

The ‘Healthy Weighs’ programme follows from feedback received by participants in NHSWI’s 2017 weight management campaign ‘It Takes 3’.

Laura said: “People who joined us in 2017 achieved some very positive results and many asked for more meetings when the programme finished, so we have listened to this feedback to develop ‘Healthy Weighs’ and we are both genuinely excited to get this started.

“We are offering a supportive and non-judgemental service to provide people with a healthy approach to weight loss; and we are both looking forward to welcoming participants to our friendly and informal meetings.”

To find out more about ‘Healthy Weighs’, please contact your local Healthy Weight Practitioner:
Lewis & Harris – Laura Macleod – Tel: 01851 762023 / Email: laura.macleod2@nhs.net
Uist & Barra – Monica MacLeod – Tel: 07971146855 / Email: monica.macleod@nhs.net

Healthy Weighs registration sessions will be held with Laura on:
Monday 18^th February, 1-2pm – Stornoway: Ionad Spors Leodhais Dance Studio.
Monday 18^th February, 7-8pm – Shawbost: Shawbost School
Tuesday 19^th February, 7.30-8.30pm – Point: Sgoil an Rubha
Wednesday 20^th February, 7-8pm – Stornoway: Ionad Spors Leodhais Dance Studio
Thursday 21^st February, 6-7pm – Ness: Spors Nis
Tuesday 26^th February, 6-7pm – Harris: Sir E Scott School, Tarbert
Wednesday 27^th February, 7-8pm – Back: Back Recreation Centre, Coll
Thursday 28^th February, 7-8pm – Lochs: North Lochs Community Centre, Leurbost

Healthy Weighs registration sessions will be held with Monica on:
Thursday 21^st February, 12-2pm – Benbecula: Balivanich Clinic
Friday 22^nd February, 12-2pm – South Uist: Southend Hall, Daliburgh
Monday 25^th February, 4.30-6.30pm – Barra: Children’s Centre, Castlebay