A West Lothian man has lost an incredible 14 stone and reversed his diabetes after making some basic lifestyle changes.
Craig Anderson has lost around half his body weight after joining Slimming World with his wife - despite initially planning to support her.
Unhappy with his weight and the impact it was having on his health, he says he was hesitant to start his slimming journey because he didn't know where to start.
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Craig 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, reports the Daily Record.
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.”
Since starting the program and reversing his diabetes, the weight loss has also brought his blood pressure and cholesterol down to a healthy level.
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”.
