‘I would worry about the opinion of others’
Mike Welsh says losing five stone has made a big difference to his life. Here is his story
I JOINED Leesa’s Wednesday afternoon Slimming World group, in Canton, in September 2018, attending most weeks, apart from a trip to Berlin last October. I lost four stone in four months.
I lost another half stone and reached my target weight in February 2019. I then adjusted my target, and have now lost five stone in total. I am happy with my weight and a BMI below 25.
I am 56 years old and have been overweight since I was 10. Giving up smoking in February 2016 made me pile on the pounds and the problem became acute.
There were physical limitations. I found myself breathless and sweaty after light exercise. Before joining the group, I tried to lose weight in the gym. I was going three times a week, building up cardio and weight exercises, but I didn’t lose much weight (about half a stone in six months).
Being overweight was physically limiting, but the more damaging effect is the emotional one with low confidence, mood and self-esteem. It’s awful when you don’t want to be noticed, dress in shape-hiding clothing, can’t find anything to fit and worry about the opinion of others – not just strangers, but friends and family. I dreaded summer when I couldn’t wear my padded puffa jacket to hide my size.
In early September 2018, I had a chance meeting with someone doing health and safety training in the Valleys. He was from Sheffield and had lost four stone with a local Slimming World group. He was such an ambassador for Slimming World that I decided to give it a go.
I was a little sceptical that I could make it work for me and I knew the group would be mostly women, but Leesa was so welcoming, knowledgeable and certain that I could make food optimising work for me. She was confident in me.
I weighed in at more than I had thought – it was a shock!
I stayed for the group session and found the members to be friendly, warm and supportive.
In my first week, I lost 12lb – I was delighted. I had followed the plan to the letter, spending time shopping, preparing great meals, planning my day’s food carefully and I was still attending the gym.
I’ve tried many diets in my life, cabbage soup, Atkins, Slimfast – you name it, I’ve tried it! So, I knew by experience, that I would lose the largest amount in the first week.
The difference with Slimming World was, I enjoyed the food and saved up my ‘syns’ for alcohol with my mates on the weekend. The change felt sustainable for me. I had been using the local takeaways a lot, eating pizza, kebab, fish and chips, Carribbean, currys and Chinese food ... all my favourites!
I am a good cook and make great bread, but also sauces, curry’s, bolognese and shepherds pie. I made time to cook my own meals using as much speed food (fruit and veg) as possible, skinless chicken and low-fat mince.
I made my own wholemeal bread, sliced it thinly and put two slices per bag into the freezer.
In late October I climbed Pen-y-Fan and I was winning slimmer of the week a lot. My group was always pleased and supportive – a kind and generous lot!
Being thinner doesn’t make you a different person, the people who love us don’t love us any more or any less. It may not mean so much to them, but it will make a big difference to you.
I like to be seen now. I don’t worry about looking in the mirror (still old and bald tho) and I love shopping for clothes.
I don’t honestly know if I’ll ever slip back, but I’m really happy to be thinner. What I do know is that, if I ever slip back, I know a very good path back to health.
■ Mike now has his own Slimming World group every Saturday at 9am and 11am at County Hall, Atlantic Wharf, Cardiff.