Real Success

Roberto Enrieu from Coventry has lost a staggering 25 stone to be crowned Slimming World’s Man of the Year 2009. Shedding the weight has led to a totally new life for Roberto, as well as a striking resemblance to a certain Hollywood heart throb! Roberto shares his story here…

“I spent most of my life overweight and by the time I hit 40 years old I weighed over 40 stone. My health began to suffer but one of the worst experiences was when my weight problem led to me being ‘let go’ from my job as I ‘didn’t fit the company image.’ I subsequently spent 6 months unemployed and my confidence was shattered. I couldn’t get a job because, as good as my CV was, employers just weren’t interested in working with someone of my size. 

“My weight was also putting a strain on my family life. My youngest daughter had to go into hospital for a cord cell transplant. I visited every day but, because I was so immobile, one day I fell down the stairs and ended up in hospital myself. It was terrible. I had one daughter in high dependency unit having chemotherapy and awaiting a cord cell transplant and another at home and I couldn’t be there for either of them. I felt so guilty that my weight was having such an awful affect on my family and was terrified that I might never see my youngest daughter again.

“I knew it was time to do something so I decided to join Slimming World. Once I learnt all about Food Optimising, where I could fill up on lots of fruit, vegetables, lean meat, pasta, rice, and potatoes I began to lose weight straightaway. I’d tuck into Weetabix with yogurt and fruit for breakfast, vegetable pasta for lunch then curry and rice for dinner. It was the complete opposite of my previous diet where I’d starve myself all day and then gorge on huge takeaways at 8.30pm
each night.

“I also began to increase my activity levels gradually with the help of the Body Magic programme and now I go to the gym, swimming, climbing and cycling. Thanks to becoming fitter I’m now able to take part in activities like kayaking, as part of my job as an IT Consultant for primary schools. 

“Now I’ve got a new lease of life. I’m fit and healthy, I love my job and I get on brilliantly

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with my family. I’m an active Dad, so I can play sports with my kids and get involved whereas before I was always stuck on the sidelines.

 “My decision to join Slimming World came in the nick of time. As I slimmed down my doctor discovered a heart problem that had previously been masked by my weight. Had I not lost that weight he says I could have been dead within seven years. I’d have missed seeing my children grow up.

“Since losing weight I’ve had a few people saying that I look like George Clooney. I have to say I’m really flattered as I used to weigh three times what he does! I’m not sure how close the likeness is, but I’ve just bought a new suit so I’d be happy to fill in for him should they ever make an
Ocean’s 14…”

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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.