Weigh to go Andrew
Andrew before and after his weight loss A slimming club might be thought of as a woman’s world but Andrew Hoggan is celebrating after losing three stone five lbs at a Perth Slimming World group.
But best of all, he has done that without giving up his favourite foods and still tucks into curries, steaks, burgers, roast dinners, fry-ups, pizza, and fish and chips. He even enjoys the odd glass of beer as well.
Andrew said: “Like most men, I thought slimming clubs were for women and expected to be eating nothing but salad.
“But the minute I walked through the door I realised nothing could have been further from the truth.
“I was made very welcome. There’s a real mix of people – men and women of all ages - and we have a great time. Plus with Slimming World’s food optimising eating plan, no foods are banned. Instead I’ve learned how to cook healthier versions of my favourite meals like pizza and cheeseburger pasta and every week at we share new recipes and handy tips in group.
“The last straw for me was when my wife and I came back from holiday and neither of us liked what we saw in the photos, and decided we would join Slimming World, and it has definitely made the difference slimming together.
“The support we give each other at home, and also the support in group each week, is absolutely what has gotten me to my target weight.
“I had also started a new job, which was the biggest challenge I overcame. It involved a lot of walking and I always had a lot of knee pain.
“I’ve now joined the gym, walking is much easier and the pain I had previously is gone.
“The biggest challenge I have had to overcome is seeing my colleagues eating takeaways and hot cooked rolls on a daily basis. It was tough, but now the joy of confidently walking into a Superdry store to buy clothes that previously I would have been unable to fit into, far outweighed the challenge.
Slimming World consultant Angie Blair, who runs the group in the NCOC Annexe on a Thursday, said: “Even though men tend to be more nervous when they first join, they are actually some of the most successful slimmers.
“Men tend to have more muscle mass than women do and as muscle uses up energy it means that men often lose weight a little faster than women.
“Men also tend to be extremely focused when they start on a healthy eating plan and often see very good weight losses in the first few weeks, which motivates them to carry on and reach their targets quickly.”
For more information, motivation and recipe ideas visit www.slimmingworld. com