A super-slimmer from East Kilbride reached the final eight of a competition to find the UK and Ireland’s most successful male slimmers.
Anthony Grimley, 42, shed a life-changing 9st 2lbs and won a place in the final of Slimming World’s 2022 Man of the Year competition.
Members from his Whitehills group voted for him to reach the next stage of the contest, which was held at Slimming World’s Derbyshire head office.
The weight loss allowed Anthony to complete his first half-marathon, something he never imagined possible at his 23st heaviest and, although he didn't grab the title, it is still a remarkable achievement.
Now weighing a healthy 13st 12lbs, he told Lanarkshire Live : “Deep down I’d been unhappy with my weight for some time but it took me a while to face up to it.
"And then when I did admit to myself that I wanted to lose weight I still didn’t want to ask for help.
"I thought weight loss groups like Slimming World were for women and expected them to be a bit cliquey, but I couldn’t have been more wrong and now I recommend it to all my friends who want to lose weight.
"At the start of my journey if you told me I would be representing my group at the finals of Slimming World’s Man of the Year competition, I would have laughed – I still can’t believe it.”
Anthony says that the supportive environment of his Slimming World group, which he joined in 2019, has been key to his success.
He went on: “It was nerve-wracking walking through those doors for the first time, but I wasn’t the only man there and everyone was warm and welcoming because we’re all at the group for the same reason – to lose weight.
"Now I’m fitter, I have more energy and I’ve improved my health.
“I thought losing weight would be very controlling and restrictive, so it’s been a brilliant surprise that all the way through my weight loss journey I’ve been able to still enjoy my favourite meals.
“The freedom of the plan means I never have to miss out and nothing is off limits. I love that I don’t have to worry about weighing and measuring everything I eat or counting calories either.
"Before I started, I worried eating healthily might limit me, but I try more new recipes now than I ever did before - plus I’m never hungry.”
As well as losing weight, Anthony has a new-found passion for exercise.
He added: “As the weight came off I started to feel more energetic and decided to try something new.
"I’ve since taken up running and I’ve even completed my first half-marathon, something I never thought possible before losing weight.”
Lorraine Seix, who runs the Whitehills Slimming World group, says she’s incredibly proud of Anthony.
“His determination and motivation has never faded – he’s a real inspiration to everyone," she said.
"I hope he inspires other people in East Kilbride to join our group and take the first step towards losing weight for good.
"Men often think Slimming World isn’t a man’s world but actually research shows that men lose more weight than women when they join, as well as dramatically improving their physical and mental health, boosting their energy and getting fitter.
"I’d love to welcome people to our group at The Church of Christ at Scholars Gate every Thursday at 5.30 and 7.30pm or feel free to call me on 07966 274121 for more information.”
Don't miss the latest headlines from around Lanarkshire. Sign up to our newsletters here.
And did yo u know Lanarkshire Live is on Facebook? Head over to our page to give us a like and share.
