Two super slimmers from Cornwall have reached the semi-finals of a competition to find the UK and Ireland’s most successful male slimmers after losing a life-changing 15st 4.5lb between them.
Alex Britton, 54, and Andrew Blackburn, 39, each secured a place in the final of Slimming World’s 2023 Man of the Year competition after members from their Slimming World groups voted for them to reach the next stage of the contest.
They were then invited, along with 32 inspiring male slimmers, to share their stories at Slimming World’s Head Office in Derbyshire.
Alex, who slimmed from 17st 10lbs to 11st 10lbs at the St Blazey group, said: “I’d been unhappy with my weight for a while, yet I just didn’t face up to it. I have type 1 diabetes and after had a period of serious cardiac ill-health, so I knew I needed to address the problem once and for all.
“To be completely honest I thought weight-loss groups like Slimming World were for women and expected them to be a bit cliquey – I couldn’t have been more wrong though, and now I recommend it to anyone who wants to lose weight too.
“If you told me a few years ago that I would be representing my local Slimming World group at the national finals of the Man of the Year competition, I would have laughed – I still can’t believe it!
“I thought losing weight would be very restrictive and that I’d always feel hungry, but I’ve been able to still enjoy my favourite meals like curries and cooked breakfasts. I’ve just learnt how to prepare and cook them differently now.”
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Andrew, who joined the Truro group at 19st 12.5lbs and is now 10st 5.5lbs, says that the supportive environment of his Slimming World group has been key to his success. He says: “I was nervous walking through those doors for the first time and not really knowing what to expect but I wasn’t the only man there and everyone was warm and welcoming and we’re all at the group for the same reason – to lose weight.
“Before I joined group, I worried eating healthily might limit me, but I try more new recipes now than I ever did before and have found Food Optimising fits around my life, rather than the other way around. I’m pleased to say that I’m never hungry!”
As well as losing weight, Andrew has a new-found passion for exercise. He said: “As the weight came off I started to feel more energetic and decided to try something new.
“I’ve since taken up HIIT (high intensity interval training) classes which really help me stay motivated and on track.”
Elaine Minear, who runs the St Blazey Slimming World group in which Alex attends, says she’s incredibly proud of Alex: “His determination and motivation has never faded – he’s a real inspiration to the whole group and I hope he inspires other people in Cornwall to join our group and take the first step towards losing weight for good.”
Sarah Renals, who runs Andrew’s Truro Slimming World group, added: “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.”
Although Alex and Andrew made the semi-finals they unfortunately weren’t the overall winners of the competition. Slimming World’s Man of the Year 2023 will be announced at the end of August.
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