Members of an East Cambridgeshire Slimming World group who have lost a total of 32 stone have created a 'Calendar Girls' style nude calendar in aid of two charities.
The idea came about after the social team from Caroline Badcock's group at The Royal British Legion in Sutton decided the slimmers should create our own calendar using Slimming World props and backgrounds.
"We asked for volunteers and eight of us agreed to dare to be bare," she said, having rallied her members to pose in aid of Cancer Research and Alzheimer's UK.
"We think its pretty good as it will raise money but also promote body positivity," she said.
Caroline added that they decided to make the calendar for two reasons:
- "to raise money for Smiles, the Slimming World charity which donates money to Cancer Research UK and Alzheimer's UK.
- "to highlight the importance of body positivity; whatever you are doing, at whatever age and no matter where you are in your weight loss journey. You do not have to be at target to love yourself and be confident with how you look."
"We had a wonderful photographer called Annie from AEB Moments photography, and with some extra help from other members we had a fun photoshoot one evening.
"One of my members, Neil Mott, and DST Print Services, designed the calendars.
"They look absolutely fantastic, and it has been a wonderful seeing members of my group come together to achieve something so good.
Between all of the starring members, we have lost over 32 stone.
"There are many reasons why we all joined Slimming World: for Louise, she had put on so much weight she was needing to take medication during the night.
"Anne needed to have a knee operation and could no longer get about comfortably with the extra seven stone she was carrying, while Lynn had diabetes and now it is reversed.
"Emma was no longer comfortable in her day-to-day life and was ashamed to eat in public. As a young person, she did not want to live the rest of her life feeling the way she did.
"For myself, approaching 50 and going through the menopause, carrying an extra three stone was making me feel even worse and I knew I needed to do something about it."
Caroline added: "Probably the biggest challenge that many of us have faced since joining Slimming World is keeping going, especially if you are struggling with something personally.
"But we have all found the support of everyone in the group will pick you up.
"There is always someone who can give you some tips and just generally understand that life can be challenging.
"Knowing that you are not on your own has helped us all achieve the weight loss we want."
Caroline added that she ran the Race for Life 10K in Cambridge in July 2023, Emma has signed up for a marathon in February and the other members enjoy walking, yoga, swimming, line dancing and golf.
"Physical activity is not about losing weight, it is about your mental well-being and how it makes you feel which is so vital in today's busy lives," she said.
"I am so incredibly proud of every member in my group. They make the group special for everybody that joins, making every member feel welcome from day one, and creating real, lasting friendships.
"I am even more proud of all the members who were brave enough to take part in this."
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