Real Success

Garth Bownes from Newcastle has become the first man to win the title of Slimming World Consultant Slimmer of the Year 2009 after losing an incredible 9st 8lbs. Now the granddad of five has started a new career as a Slimming World Consultant, helping others to slim too. Garth shares his amazing story with us.

“I struggled with my weight for 30 years and my health was very poor. I had high blood pressure, high cholesterol and poor mobility. My doctor warned me I was also at risk of developing diabetes. My 60th birthday was looming and when my doctor said I had to lose weight or face the consequences I knew there was no ignoring it.

“I’d tried lots of diets in the past but a friend had lost quite a bit of weight with Slimming World so I decided to give it a try and I’ve never looked back. I was nervous about crossing the threshold of that first Slimming World group. But I needn’t have been - I got a very warm welcome. The group support is incredible and while it’s easy to imagine a slimming club as a woman’s environment it never once felt like that for me. I have made so many friends and have always been treated with good humour and respect by everyone.

“It doesn’t feel like a diet. I still enjoy all my favourite foods – chicken coated in mustard and wrapped in bacon is my top choice – and the weight has just dropped off. I’m so much fitter too and while before I struggled to climb the stairs at home or even walk to the car I now go swimming, walking and bird watching regularly, which I love.

“Carrying that extra weight around made everything so difficult – I effectively had a 10 stone person strapped to me for 30 years – but now I can just enjoy life. The

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support I’ve had at my local Slimming World group has been amazing, so I’m delighted to be now helping other people in Newcastle to lose weight and improve their lifestyle in my role as a Consultant.

"I’m a bit of an old rocker at heart and I’m going to watch Bruce Springsteen in concert twice in the summer. He’s released a new album called Working on a Dream this year and that has definitely been the case with my weight loss! It’s a dream come true.”

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If you'd like to reveal the real you, find your nearest warm and friendly Slimming World group, where men and women are welcome.