A Scot whose incredible weight loss journey has seen him drop 14 stone and put his type 2 diabetes into remission has shared the secret behind his transformation.
Craig Anderson, from West Lothian, says he feels like a different man after losing half of his body weight.
Four years ago, Craig was at his heaviest weighing 28 stone.
Unhappy with his weight and the impact it was having on his health he decided to embark on a health and fitness journey alongside his wife Wendy, who was already a member of Slimming World.
He said: "Deep down I’d been unhappy with my weight for some time but it took me a long time 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’ve realised now though that far from being weak, admitting that you need help takes strength of character and getting support to identify where I’m going wrong and to make changes has given me a sense of confidence that is benefitting every aspect of my life."
He says he was initially nervous to attend the group with his wife Wendy because he thought that it was aimed at women and would focus on 'diet food.
Craig continued: “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 and feel good.
“It’s listening to others and talking about my own motivations and challenges that has, week by week, helped me to understand myself as a slimmer better and learn to plan, so I can make changes that I’m confident I can keep up for life."
Craig says he is now around half of the weight he was when he started in 2018, now feels healthier and like he has more energy.
He said: “I always thought that physical activity would be the best way to lose weight, but when I was at my heaviest I just wasn’t fit enough to do it and I’ve since realised that I needed to do more than just move more.
"I started by walking more and leaving the car behind where I could and as I got fitter, I started to push myself more, even getting the bike out the garage and challenged myself more and more always striving to beat my PB times.
"I can honestly say I feel like a different man since losing weight.”
Craig suffers from type 2 diabetes, which is the most common form of the disease and can be prevented or delayed by healthier lifestyle changes.
Since starting the program, Craig has put his diabetes into remission, and the weight loss has brought his blood pressure and cholesterol down to a healthy level.
Craig believes the flexible nature of the diet has helped him achieve his goals after he was initially concerned healthy eating might limit him.
He said: "I love the variety of foods I can still enjoy such as steak and homemade chips, chicken curry or a roast dinner.
"The freedom of the plan means I never have to miss out and nothing is off-limits – I can still enjoy a pint of beer! I love that I don’t have to worry about weighing and measuring everything I eat or counting calories either."
In recognition of his achievement, he has been awarded Man of the Year, Mr Sleek, Greatest Loser and Couple of the Year by the weight loss company.
Nicola, who runs the Blackburn Slimming World group says she’s incredibly proud of Craig: “He has done brilliantly and we’re all in awe of his transformation.
"He’s achieved what he set out to do – to become healthier and happier. And while so much has changed over the last year, his determination and motivation has never faded – he’s a real inspiration to the whole group.
"I couldn’t be prouder of everything Craig’s achieved and loving how much confidence he has gained”.
Don't miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond - Sign up to our daily newsletter here.
