Arthur Pope from Wisbech is half the man he used to be ...

Arthur Pope, from Wisbech has lost a life-changing 15st to win Slimming World’s ‘Club 50’ Award - awarded to those members who have lost an incredible 50 per cent of their starting weight.

Arthur said: “I’ve been overweight for many years. I feel like a new man since shedding the pounds – apart from looking so different, it’s the change on the inside that’s been the greatest – I’m happier, healthier and much more confident - I feel I have a new life.”

The 64-year-old joined Slimming World in October 2015, Arthur said: “My weight impacted my life, being unable to walk without feeling tired and out of breath. I now enjoy gardening, and I watch football matches whilst using an exercise bike."

After hearing about it from a friend, Arthur and his wife Chris decided to join their local Slimming World group.

He said: “Walking through those doors was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done, I needn’t have worried though, I’ve made so many friends at the group and I honestly don’t think I could have done it without the support of my consultant and the group each week.”

Arthur followed the club’s Food Optimising eating plan and enjoys a nice spicy curry or his favourite chicken cacciatore. He said: “People think slimming means going hungry, eating nothing but salad or obsessively counting every calorie you eat, but it’s not like that at all at Slimming World. I love food and it’s never once felt like I was on ‘a diet’ .

“I still enjoy all my favourite meals like burgers and chips and roast dinners, but I’ve learned how to make small changes like using lean meat or cooking with low calorie spray instead of oil or butter. This is a change that I’ve made for life and I have the tools I need to stay like this forever.”

Tina who runs the Wisbech Slimming World group, said: “The changes we’ve seen in Arthur are incredible. I hope his success will inspire other people who’d like to lose weight by forming new lifestyle habits and as a result, become happier and healthier to come and join us.

"There’s a warm welcome waiting at Slimming World and, just think, if you start today you could soon feel like a completely new person."

To find you nearest group visit www.slimmingworld.co.uk