Fernwood founder supports Choice's call for regulation of diet fads

Diana Williams, the founder of Fernwood Women’s Health Club network, is supporting the call from Choice for pharmacy-based weight loss products to be regulated under a national accreditation system which would include minimum standards for training.

Diana says Australia has seen a plethora of weight-loss gimmicks and fads float in and out of the health and fitness market since she opened Australia’s first women’s-only health club in country Victoria in 1989.

“Over the last 20 years, women have been bombarded and misled with the many diet products and plans on the market that have promised quick fixes to weight loss. The one thing that has not changed during that time is the one truth in the health and fitness industry - that the only safe way to lose weight and keep it off is to combine a healthy eating plan with regular exercise. “

Fernwood health club franchise network offers members a weight management program at their 78 clubs around Australia. The program called Slimplicity has been designed under the direction of a scientific advisory council which includes a dietician, and is also a member of the Weight Management Council of Australia (WMCA).

“Slimplicity has seen thousands of women successfully lose weight and achieve their long term weight goals by coaching women on how to achieve healthy and balanced lifestyle habits that can realistically be incorporated into everyday living,” Diana explains.

Available from the gym franchise group, the program teaches women valuable skills to effectively take control of their own healthy eating plan through a supportive and thorough education program conducted by consultants who have undertaken training approved by the WMCA.

Diana urges all women to do their homework before embarking upon any weight loss program. “Women need to be assured that they are receiving accurate information from qualified health experts – not being cheated by fads and gimmicks making hollow promises”.