Super slimmer Derek is only half the man he was
A Hamilton man who shed half his body weight made the semifinals of a competition to find the UK and Ireland’s top male slimmers.
Derek Kelly, 54, slimmed from 2.5lbs to 11st 10lbs .
And he was one of 37 men to win a place at the semi-finals of Slimming World’s Man of the Year 2019 competition in London after his inspirational 10st 6.5lbs loss.
Derek is a member of Hamilton Slimming World group, and says he knows how difficult it can be for men to admit they are unhappy with their weight.
And he admits that it can be even more difficult to have the courage to do something about it.
Derek says: “I joined up after my daughter brought her wedding forward due to my wife’s ill health.
“I wanted to feel and look better on her wedding day and be able to look after her mum more easily.
“I’m so glad I took that step to find my Slimming World group, it was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.”
Derek, who works in South Lanarkshire Council’s parks division continues: “Before I walked through the doors of 22st my group I’ll admit I was nervous that I’d be the only bloke in the room.
“I wasn’t though. And, even if I ever was, it didn’t matter because everyone there is so supportive.”
Colin Macmillan, who runs the Hamilton group that Derek attends, says he is very proud of his super slimmer.
“A lot of people think that slimming clubs are female-only zones, but that’s not the case at all and Derek is proof of that.
“Everyone is welcome at Slimming World and I hope Derek inspires lots of other people – male or female – who’d like to lose weight to take that step and join our group at Hamilton South Church.”
While attending the semi-final, Derek met former England, Liverpool and Leicester City striker Emile Heskey.
“Getting to meet Emile was brilliant too,” said Derek.
“I never imagined I would be part of a slimming competition when I first set out on this journey, let alone meeting someone like Emile Heskey – it’s incredible!”
Emile was blown away by the achievements of the men he met at the competition.
He says: “It was a pleasure to meet Derek and hear about his transformation – it’s hard to believe that he ever had a problem with his weight.”