Weight Watchers has launched a new style of men’s club in London where the only stripping off is that of excess weight.

Weight Watchers has set up London’s first men-only group after research revealed many men felt intimidated by the female majority that attend most weekly weigh-ins. The pilot scheme will be based at a location bound to make men feel more at home – Grasshoppers Rugby Club!

Philip Newton, 39, lost 2.5 stone through Weight Watchers and is now leading the Osterley meetings, to pass on his experiences to men in the same position.

“I’m really pleased to be involved in this pilot scheme and I say to any men out there who are concerned about their weight, give it a go.”

Philip, who now weights 11.7 stone and who has managed to keep off the weight he lost two and a half years ago, believes, “There are more overweight men than women in the UK but it’s very intimidating for them to attend weight loss groups where the majority of members are women.

“It took a lot of courage for me to go to the class. Initially it was quite scary to be the only man in the room. I’m really pleased to be involved in this pilot scheme in Osterley and I say to any men out there who are concerned about their weight, give it a go. You will be surprised at how easy it can be when you have group support.”

Around five per cent of Weight Watchers’ members are men and 50,000 men have joined this year, which it claims shows a growing awareness of the seriousness of the problem among the male population.

However, levels of obesity in the UK are rising and more men, 67 per cent, are classified as overweight than women, 58 per cent.

Weight Watchers’ dietician Zoe Hellman explained that women are more likely to be on a diet and to join dieting groups, but men are actually more successful at losing the weight. “They respond well to our group sessions and take the guidance and advice of the leader to heart.”
“Men also become quite competitive with each other which all helps to help shift those stubborn pounds. Once our male members find a meeting environment they feel comfortable in, with people they can empathise with, the weight comes off.”

For more information about the meetings call 08457 123 000.

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This entry was posted on Friday, January 16th, 2009 at 2:37 pm and is filed under For Men, News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.