Being the best at losing wouldn’t normally help you to scoop an award - yet one man from Hamilton has done just that, after being named the town’s ‘Greatest Loser’ 2022.
That’s because talented singer William Boyle has lost a life-changing nine stone to take the title, which is awarded to the member of the Slimming World group who has lost the most weight - and he feels great as a result of his transformation.
William, who was once dubbed 'Wubo' - a play on fellow Scots' singing sensation Subo (Susan Boyle) - has gone from 26st 5lbs to 17st, and is delighted with this loser title.
He told Lanarkshire Live : "This is a loser title I take happily.
"For me though it’s the change on the inside that’s been the greatest – I’m happier, healthier and so much more confident now. Instead of avoiding all photos, I have become selfie daft."
The proud 31-year-old joined the local Hamilton group last August after seeing a picture of himself and deciding 'enough was enough' - and he admits he instantly saw changes in his habits.
He added: "My weight impacted on so many aspects of my life, from struggling to find clothes that I like to fit, to not being able to do simple everyday tasks without feeling tired and out of breath.
"Before I lost the weight, I hated having my photo taken and whenever I saw pictures of myself I knew that my smile wasn’t real – yet now I’m beaming.”
William’s weight was also putting a huge strain on his health.
Working in the NHS, he is on his feet for hours at a time in a physically demanding role, and it was a real struggle for him.
Even his mental health was suffering too with his confidence at an all time low.
He told us : “Walking through those doors was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done.
"I was embarrassed about my size and scared that I might be the biggest person there. I needn’t have worried though, everyone there was so friendly especially my consultant. I was so relieved when I found out that my weight was confidential – I’d had visions of having to tell everyone how much I weighed.
“Since then I’ve made so many friends at the group and I honestly don’t think I could have done it without their support each week.
"They helped me with recipes and tips and if I was ever struggling they were always there to remind me why I’d wanted to lose weight in the first place, and how far I’d come since first stepping through the doors.”
William followed the club’s 'food optimising' eating plan, swapping ready meals for homemade chicken and veg.
Today he loves being able to eat what he loves, buy clothes he wants to instead of what is available that will fit, he is beaming with confidence and loves to socialise with friends and family instaed of shutting himself off.
William added: “People think slimming means going hungry, yet it’s not like that at all with Slimming World.
"I love food and it’s never once felt like I was 'on a diet’ – in fact, people are always surprised at how much food I have on my plate and can’t believe I’m losing weight eating so much delicious food and without ever feeling hungry."
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