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Spreading The Lchf Word Together, Maybe The Way Forward?

Debandez said:
QUICK UPDATE RE DATE.

IVE HAD THE FOLLOWING REPLY FROM NATALIE AT THE PRESS TEAM - SO SATURDAY 1ST SEPTEMBER WOULD BE BETTER THAN 29TH. HOW IS THIS DATE FOR PEOPLE?

I’ve just heard back from diabetes.co.uk and the best date for their team would be the 1st September which I know is the date you first suggested. Would this still work? It means they can get the right people there on the day.
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Good for me @Debandez
 
PenguinMum said:
Hello All. Just got round to reading the whole thread. Its a powerful plan great idea. I am not able to come on 29th Sept but maybe another time. I dont know if you plan to put up a pin board with succss stories from people who cant be there but I am happy to be included and write something. Its a pity its not earlier in Sept when the University campuses would be empty. They all have great facilities, travel links, parking, etc.
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Press office have come back with a more suitable date for them of 1st Sept and it would be great if you could join us.
 
shelley262 said:
Re better connected its nearer London as on main train line but from north think you’d have to change at brum. However gather it’s on outskirts of coventry at university of Warwick and near m40 so possibly easier to drive to and park at. If on public transport would need bus or taxi out of Coventry rail station.
May work better though for dcuk if they have room to host at office as a midlander I thought I’d answer the transport query !
Would be so great if you could come along @bulkbiker youve been such an inspiration to me on my journey so would love to meet you and I’m sure a lot of us feel the same way
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I WILL SECOND THAT!!!
 
Debandez said:
That's at least 4 of us which is a great start. Happy days. Are you still pk @Goonergal and @HSSS and @bigsi1984
@bulkbiker @jayney27 @DJC3 @Terrytiddy @eggs11
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Hi. Yes 1st September works for me for timing. The only issue is that Euston station is closed that weekend. That means Birmingham is a much better option than Coventry as the Chiltern Line will run to Brum -important for us non-drivers!

Editing to say that I’m happy to share weight loss details, pic etc. I’ll PM you.

And also wonder whether @Polgara would be interested in joining.
 
*** FOR INFO THIS IS NATALIE'S (PRESS OFFICE DIABETES.CO.UK) EMAIL TO ME THIS MORNING. PLEASE IGNORE DATE AS THAT HAS CHANGES TO 1ST SEPTEMBER. NATALIE THINKS GOING FOR THE TITLE '100 STONE LOST ON THE LOW CARB' WOULD BE IDEAL AND WOULD LIKE NAMES AND INDIVIDUAL WEIGHT LOSS SENDING TO HER (FOR THOSE THAT ARE HAPPY TO DO SO) AND BEFORE AND AFTER PICS OF THOSE INVOLVED IF THEY DONT MIND AND ARE HAPPY TO DO PRESS. IM HAPPY TO COORDINATE.

Hi Debra,


I love your enthusiasm! You’re doing a fab job!


Diabetes.co.uk have organised many low carb meet ups across the country and would like to propose that this is something we do for this group. I have suggested the 29th September but it will take a few days before I can confirm whether this date works with everyone’s diaries. Usually we find a venue and host a low carb lunch for those who have been on the programme and want to share their journey and those who are just starting out on the low carb route. Usually one of the head team from diabetes.co.uk attend and they can do a short presentation/introduction. Again, if the dates work we would also organise for the videographer/photographer to attend the lunch to take some photos etc of the success stories so far.


If you’d like to do your own event I quite understand, if not diabetes.co.uk would be very happy to host this as one of their nationwide low carb lunches.


I am very happy to pitch a story to the nationals about the group you are creating. Ideally it would be great to pitch the “100 stone lost on low carb” angle. Perhaps you could send me names and weight losses for some of these people and see if we can get the figure up to 100. I would then need to get before and after pictures of the people involved if they’re happy to do press.



MY EMAIL TO NATALIE

Hi Natalie,


Can we run with Saturday 29th September please?


I'm getting great feedback for this. People are so happy that you and your team are on board.


Here is the gist of my latest update on my thread, do you think this is doable, it may be the first time that a meeting has been held ....ever! Please offer guidance as I do tend to get carried away!!




WHERE

  1. I confirmed our preference for a meeting point would be Birmingham as this would be central for anyone commuting and this suits Natalie and her team also which is great.

    WHEN

    We discussed a dates and it seems weekends work well for them and Saturday the 29th September has been provisionally agreed. This gives us over 2 months to get an agenda together. This is a team effort and please FEEL FREE TO THROW IDEAS IN THE POT. September was the month suggested by our press team and 29th was most suitable date.

    WHO

    Wouldn't it be great to open the event up to all members, anyone who wants to attend. Not just people who have managed to reverse their condition (and there are so many), put it into remission, are controlling well, but also those who haven't yet achieved all their goals and are a work in progress. Or anyone who just wants to learn or feel a bit inspired. Or just come along to support. Also for those that can't make it they can add input, provide before and after photos, write down their personal journeys. We may have a board there to pin things on with any luck. Open to friends and family. Maybe even the public??!!

    EMINENT FIGURES??

    I'm thinking Dr David Unwin is a local GP (North West) and we could invite him along. Maybe he might do a short talk! (I can dream). Other names have been mentioned, Dr Michael Mosley, Aseem Malhotra, Rangam Chattergee and Zoe Harcombe. But there are many others. All very busy people no doubt but you don't ask you don't get my mum used to say.

    THE AGENDA

  • We could make a day of it or at least half a day!
  • Already I have volunteers who are going to bake cakes (low carb obviously)
  • Maybe we could print off some popular recipes to have as handouts? as well as other info handouts that might be helpful.
  • No eating until after the photoshoot of course (teehee)! Anyone that can come with their old clothes that are too big would be great, we can change in the loo for a BIG photo (pun intended).
  • How about a cardboard cut out of some kind volunteer. A before cut out. For them to stand next to for photo. I've seen this done but not sure how doable this is expense wise.
  • Before and after photo section
  • Keynote speaker kicking things off with summary of weight loss/HBA1c levels and a little about the LCHF woe. Explanation of how much sugar is in every day foods (many of my friends have been totally shocked when I tell them sugar is in particular foods ie potatoes, rice, pasta bread etc. Education required. I was in the dark before my diagnosis. Maybe look at the eat well plate? Maybe graphs (don't even ask me but there are members who love a graph and a spreadsheet! You know who you are).
  • Flip charts (am I getting carried away here?)
  • section on finger pricking and how important it is for BS management - self funding issues - low incomes/benefits - suggestion that they need to be given to anyone with HBA1c over 41 - expensive at the outset but could save NHS millions - we can confirm the freebies details on info sheets, could we get those companies behind us - discounted strips etc
  • more advice to be given at the outset as to the possible complications of BS when not controlled. No emphasis out on this at the moment and people just think that the tablet will sort the problem
  • talk a little about cholesterol and the effects the HF part of this diet can have

The above are just thoughts and nothing is set in stone. Please feel free to add your own thoughts. I have never done anything like this before and it is a learning curve.

Not sure where this will lead but even if it just ends up with us having a big meeting that in itself is an enormous positive. We can actually meet the people who have helped and inspired us over the weeks/months and even years.


PLEASE SPREAD THE WORD FAR AND WIDE - THANKS

PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF YOU CAN ATTEND OR IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO PUT SOME INPUT TO THE MEETING NO MATTER HOW BIG OR SMALL.

IT TAKES A LONG TIME TO TURN THE TITANIC BUT WE MIGHT BE ABLE TO GIVE IT A NUDGE IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

Debra




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Goonergal said:
Hi. Yes 1st September works for me for timing. The only issue is that Euston station is closed that weekend. That means Birmingham is a much better option than Coventry as the Chiltern Line will run to Brum -important for us non-drivers!

Editing to say that I’m happy to share weight loss details, pic etc. I’ll PM you.
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Brilliant @Goonergal thanks for letting us all know about Euston station too that’s important as think brum is a better option for others going by public transport from other non london locations especially if we meet near grand central station.
 
Goonergal said:
@Debandez is 1st September set in stone now? If so I’ll book ticket ASAP to get cheapest ones.
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Don't book it just yet. Let me see how tomorrow pans out if that's ok. Just make sure 1st is definitely ok to get everyone there.

It may be on a small scale this meeting. With such short notice. We can think of it as a practice run for the next one!!!

It's a great feeling knowing I'm going to be meeting my heros. That in itself is amazing.

I've never been able to diet in my life and now I'm 50lbs lighter!!! I still keep pinching myself!!! It's all down to the help and support on here.
 
DJC3 said:
@Debandez I can do 1st Sept, I’m really glad the date has changed!
I’m happy to help in any way.
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That is such good news will be so great to meet you in person! Some of us are considering booking an overnight on Friday once it’s confirmed I live quite close but wouldn’t want to miss out on anything and it’s a break for me!
 
@shelley262 I’d love to come up Friday too. I’m so looking forward to meeting you. I was feeling really glum this afternoon thinking I wouldn’t be able to make it, but very happy now!
 
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