A MAN who lost a “life-changing” 11 stone after swapping pizza and kebabs for healthy home-cooked meals has told of how he “feels like a new person”.
Stuart Murray, 52, dropped from 30 stone to 19 stone in the year since he joined Stanway Rovers Slimming World in June 2021.
He has taken home the title of ‘Mr Sleek’ – awarded to the slimmer who has inspired other members in the group.
Proud Stuart said: “I feel like a new man since losing weight – in fact, I look so different that people who I haven’t seen for a while often can’t believe I’m the same person.
“I have to say though, it’s the change on the inside that’s been the greatest – I’m happier, healthier and much more confident now.”
He added: “My weight impacted on so many aspects of my life, from struggling to find clothes that I liked to fit to not being able to do simple everyday tasks without feeling tired and out of breath.
“Before I lost the weight, I was just existing, now I’m full of life and can do so much more.”
Stuart’s weight was putting a huge strain on his health, leaving him with joint pain and high blood pressure.
People who are severely overweight, with a body mass index above 30, are more likely to suffer from health problems like coronary heart disease, arthritis, diabetes and cancer, and being overweight has also been linked to more severe outcomes of Covid-19 too.
Stuart followed Slimming World’s food optimising eating plan and swapped takeout pizza and kebabs for home-cooked meals, including lots of fish and vegetables.
“I still enjoy the occasional drink as well,” he said.
“People think to lose weight you have to go hungry, it’s not like that at all with Slimming World though.
“I love food and it’s never once felt like I was on a ‘diet’ – in fact, people are always surprised that I still eat food like pasta, potatoes and rice and can’t believe I’m losing weight eating so much delicious food, without ever feeling deprived.
“I still enjoy all my favourite meals, I’ve just learned how to make small changes like using lean meat or cooking with low-calorie spray instead of oil or butter – and they taste so much better.”
The Stanway Rovers Slimming World group is held every Thursday at 4pm, 5:30pm or 7pm. To join or find out more call Alice on 07834 195844.
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