After losing 19kg through UK support group, expat brings idea to Dubai

Carole Holditch set up Good Habits UAE, which combines a diet management plan with group support, after seeing a gap in the market for those wanting help to make significant lifestyle changes.

Carole Holditch poses with a photograph of herself before she lost 19kg with the help of a support group. Antonie Robertson / The National

DUBAI // Carole Holditch decided to share her knowledge after a slimming support group helped her to transform her body – and her lifestyle.

So the Briton set up Good Habits UAE after she moved to Dubai 20 years ago.

Ms Holditch started the company, which combines diet management plans with group support, after seeing a gap in the market for those wanting help to make significant lifestyle changes without surgery, crash diets or other quick fixes.

She said there were two types of people struggling with weight. First were those who worked long hours or were in a stressful job, with little time to exercise and prepare healthy meals.

The there were those who were not working but had moved to the UAE with their partner, and put on weight by turning to food to occupy their time.

But all have a common thread, said Ms Holditch: “Everyone who has come has had some kind of tipping point.”

This could be a health complaint, a cruel jibe or simply an unflattering photograph.

“Others simply want to feel better about themselves and be a better role model for their family,” she said.

She lost 19 kilograms about 25 years ago after attending a group and said the weekly classes motivated her to keep it off.

“The idea of the group is that you have the tools and knowledge to have a healthy week ahead and there is a wealth of ideas and experiences to share,” she said. “You leave a meeting feeling empowered and feeling, ‘Yes, I can do it this week’.”

The first thing her members notice is a change in their energy levels, Ms Holditch said.

“Your mind is also clearer and you make better decisions,” she said. “Your mood is better, you have less sickness, you sleep better and generally feel more positive in all aspects in life.”

In 20 years, thousands have attended the slimming support group, with about 200 members attending weekly meetings, split into smaller groups.

Some members have lost as much as 45kg.

Often members come in pairs – sisters, flatmates, husbands and wives or mothers and daughters who want to slim down together.

Many have tried “fad diets” and realise they did not work in the long term.

“Everyone wants a quick fix but you didn’t put that weight on overnight, so you are not going to lose it overnight,” Ms Holditch said. “Nothing worthwhile is instant.”

She wants to expand sessions to Abu Dhabi. For more information visit goodhabitsuae.com. A meeting costs Dh55.