Real Success

Harry Moore, from Thornhill in Sunderland is celebrating after being crowned Slimming World’s first Young Male Slimmer of the Year! Shocking headlines about childhood obesity, along with taunts at school, spurred teenager Harry to lose an amazing 4st 3lbs. Harry shares his transformation with us.

“I put on weight from the age of 11. I didn’t go out, I couldn’t - because I couldn’t keep up with my mates when they went paintballing or played football or basketball. I’d get breathless just going up the stairs and had a very painful back because of the excess weight I was carrying.  I’d spend my evenings at home alone, snacking in front of the TV or playing on the computer, feeling left out, depressed and angry.”

All that changed after he read a story in his local paper about the massive rise in childhood obesity and Slimming World’s pioneering work to help reverse the trend.

After shedding 4st 3lbs, and going from a 42” waist to 36”, Harry emerged as a happy, confident teenager who impressed competition judges when he revealed: “I didn’t want to be a statistic, I wanted to be a role model for other young people.”

Harry revealed: “I was unhappy, unhealthy and fed up with the name calling. I wanted to change my life. So with my mum’s support, I joined my local group. I was nervous at first and embarrassed. But I really enjoyed my first meeting and the group was very welcoming.

"My consultant Wendy told me about Free2Go, a really simple, generous healthy eating plan Slimming World created especially for young people. I knew straight away it was flexible enough to suit me."

“That first week I lost just a pound but that was enough to get me going.  Over the next few weeks I continued to lose steadily, filling up on lots of fruit and healthy Free Foods. I love Free2Go because I can still enjoy bread and pizzas – only now I have small wholemeal rolls and I make my own pizza!”

Harry even found the plan fitted in well with a gruelling revision and exam schedule as he tackled his GCSEs.  He said: “In June I celebrated my 16th birthday – the day after my mum’s birthday and two days after finishing my GCSEs. We planned to share a 21” stuffed crust pizza together. When it came to it, we decided to have the 10” pizza and I only ate one slice – I didn’t enjoy it, it was too fatty and I’d rather have a home-made version and fill up on Free Foods.”

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As well as a passion for cooking, Harry has discovered a new active social life. “I started with walks which I found suited me because I hadn’t done any activity in years.  Now I go on 10-mile walks with my mum and dad, I’m playing basketball, cricket and football and I go to the gym three times a week. I go out more – I can wear trendy clothes now – and I can also go paintballing with my friends. I used to be shot in every game because I just couldn’t run – and I was a large target! I went paintballing again after I lost the weight and I wasn’t shot once in five hours!”

His mum, Susan, said: “I’m already so proud of what Harry’s done, the competition is just the icing on the cake. He’s looking so fit and happy and it’s so wonderful to see him able to wear trendy clothes like other teenagers.

“I’d encourage any parents with concerns about their child’s weight to think about going along with them to a group for support. After all, if you had something that worried you, you’d want someone to be there for you, why should our children be different?”

Harry says: “I haven’t just changed physically. I used to be the quiet one in the corner and now I feel more self-confident and happy – I used to have terrible mood swings and that’s gone now.  And I felt so good I asked to join the social team at my Slimming World group so I can help other people there and share my tips and experience. Now I can be the role model.”

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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.