By STEPHANIE BRUMFIELD / Staff Writer

COLUMBIANA – Those interested in possibly re-starting a Weight Watchers group in Columbiana are invited to attend an interest meeting Nov. 20 at 4 p.m. at Elvin Hill Elementary School, where organizers will gauge interest to determine whether starting a group is possible. A minimum of 15 people must attend the meeting and sign up to participate for the group to restart.

Phoebe Robinson, a Columbiana native who is organizing the event, said she lost 30 pounds the last time she participated in Weight Watchers, but meetings haven’t been available in Columbiana for more than a year. For the past year, she’s been participating in Weight Watchers online.

“I haven’t gained any, and I haven’t lost any,” Robinson said. “The meetings are the difference.”

Linda Major also participated in the Columbiana Weight Watchers group before it stopped meeting last year, and she said it’s the easiest weight loss program she’s ever followed.

“I do better when I have to be accountable to someone, a human, in front of me,” Major said. “Paying the money also makes me more accountable.”

If approved, Tracey Anderson will lead the group and will provide weekly programs with weight-loss tips, tricks and recipes at the weekly meetings, which will be held at Elvin Hill Elementary on Wednesdays at 4 p.m.

“She’s the last (leader) we had in Columbiana, and I reached my goal,” Major said. “(Anderson) is wonderful. She’s very positive, encouraging and realistic.”

Robinson said she enjoyed meeting in Columbiana because she works full-time, and it’s difficult to drive to Hoover for weekly meetings. She also said she likes the approach.

“It’s not a diet,” she said. “That’s what I like about it. It teaches you to rethink the way you live in a healthy manner without feeling deprived.”

The length and cost of the classes will depend on the number of people interested. If 15 people sign up, the classes will last 12 weeks and cost $156 per series per person. If 20 people sign up, the classes will last 17 weeks for $186 per series per person. E-tools such as online tracking, recipes and apps are included in the cost of the series.

As long as 15 people sign up to participate, Robinson said she expects the first meeting to be held Dec. 4.

To RSVP to the free interest meeting Nov. 20, contact Phoebe Robinson by email at phoeberobinson@bellsouth.net or by phone at 669-9010.