Pounds for pounds: Weight-loss company swapping British pound for dropped pounds

Amber Veytia of Euless admits she has tried some odd ways of losing weight.

When she's at a restaurant eyeing a loaf of bread she knows she must limit herself on, she simply knocks it onto the floor.

"I know I won't eat it if it's been on the floor," Veytia said. "So I'll just 'accidentally' knock it off the table."

Much to the disappointment of the other person who's sharing the loaf.

Now, Veytia and her fellow members at Slimming World, a weight-loss program that takes the approach of eating all you want but only the right kinds of foods, will have a new motivator.

For a limited time, every pound a member loses will be symbolically "replaced" with a British pound, which converted to U.S. money equals about $1.50. "Lose Pounds and Earn Pounds" ends June 20.

The concept comes from Slimming World's roots in the U.K., which uses the pound for its currency. Slimming World began in the U.K. in 1970, and advocates say it has helped five million people lose weight.

Over the last year, it has branched out locally. There are groups that meet in Plano, Flower Mound, Lewisville, The Colony and Frisco.

Members record their weight one week and find out the next how many pounds they lost and, as a result, how much they earned. Members can either keep the money or donate it to charity. Slimming World designated Susan G. Komen for the Cure as its charity, though members can donate their winnings to others.

"I think it's a good motivator," Veytia said. "I'll be donating the money to my church, so I know they'll be rooting for me. Plus, I think this will help entice other people to come in."

Veytia just wishes the program started earlier. She's been one of the more successful members so far, shedding 30 pounds since January. She had been scheduled to undergo gastric bypass surgery but was advised by her doctor to try some weight-loss programs first to even qualify for the procedure. Seeing how well Slimming World has worked for her, she canceled the surgery.

Alma Hall of Flower Mound has also seen a major difference since joining Slimming World. Going back to September, she has dropped 40 pounds. She agrees that adding British pounds into the equation will help.

"It's a good motivator because you're getting something tangible," said Hall, who is set to become a consultant in Flower Mound after completing her training.

But Hall doesn't discount the other things Slimming World offers.

"This is a safe place to be," Hall said. "I get what I need, whether it's extra recipes for the rest of the week, or just hearing the good and the bad. If you have a bad week, then (group consultant Carol Twyman) has a good way of encouraging you."

During the meetings, members gather around Twyman and announce the amount of weight they lost, or in some cases gained, in the last week. With that comes applause for the weight loss, encouragement for the goals that fell short and ideas on what works and what doesn't.

There are also awards given out to those who reach various weight-loss milestones, including a healthy food basket for the "Slimmer of the Week."

Slimming World uses a food optimizing system that allows members to eat all they want from a list of "free foods," which are very low in calories. The idea is that many people give up on other weight-loss programs because they can't eat as much food, and therefore they're hungry all the time.

Members then pick from a list of "healthy extras," which are broken down to "A choices," which feature mostly dairy products, and "B choices," which are high in fiber and contain important nutrients.

Then there are the "Syns," which are foods, ingredients, dips, etc. that members can have but only in a very strict portion. A chart designates a "Syns" value for a variety of these items.

"There are so many choices, and you always stay full," said Fran Gamble, who drives from south Arlington to attend the Flower Mound meetings. "This way, food isn't on your mind 24 hours a day. There are so many things you can have, you just have to count the 'Syns' value."

Veytia said portion control isn't for everyone, and with Slimming World, only the "Syns" need to be closely counted. But she said she doesn't have to worry about that with pasta, potatoes or many of her other favorites.

"With this, I can eat as much as I want to," Veytia said. "Even the bad stuff, but only certain amounts."

Go to www.slimmingworldusa.com/group_support/weight_loss_Flower_Mound.asp for information.

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