By KATH GANNAWAY
EVERY Wednesday at Yarra Junction, men and women literally go to TOWN as they celebrate their losses.
Upper Yarra TOWN (Take Off Weight Naturally) Club has been helping men and women stick with their resolve to lose weight and achieve a healthier lifestyle for almost 40 years.
The club’s 30-plus members come from Wandin through to East Warburton and Healesville across the Three Bridges, and they have some impressive success stories to share.
Margaret Baker has been a member for 21 years and a graduate for 18 years. She reached her goal weight and with the support of members, including co-leader Deb Wood, has kept it off.
Members range from 17 years old to seniors and some have been with the club for 30 years, while the newest member joined just last month.
“TOWN Club doesn’t dictate or recommend any particular type of diet program or regime,” Deb said.
“We acknowledge that a person’s eating plan and form of exercise needs to be something that fits with their own preferences.
“Our purpose is to support and encourage each member as they journey toward a healthier lifestyle,” she said, adding that weight loss generally came as a result of a change in thinking about healthy life choices.
Members weigh in at each meeting, providing a weekly reflection on how they are going.
“This, members say ‘tells the story, and keeps us thinking about what we put in our mouths during the week’,” Deb said.
Speaking as a long-term graduate, Margaret said some members found that weekly accountability helped them maintain their current weight and that they also enjoyed the social aspect of meeting with other men and women with the shared goals.
Speakers including local health professionals such as staff from the local Yarra Centre, GPs, dieticians, naturopaths and other health care professionals, provide information and motivation.
“We also raise money through things such as ‘Dutch auctions’ which allows us to donate money back to our community and, sometimes to projects in under-developed countries,” Margaret said.
The Upper Yarra TOWN Club is run entirely by volunteers and is one of 120 clubs across the state governed by TOWN Clubs of Victoria.
“Each club has input into the decision making and general running of the organisation which gives our club support, accountability and credibility,” Deb said.
The club meets from 6pm to 7.30pm at the Yarraburn Centre in Yarra Junction. Contact Deb on 0417 103 589, or Margaret on 5967 1425 for more information about going to TOWN on weight-loss this year.
