Losing weight is no easy task and it can be even more challenging when you’re a man, but after successfully losing 2-and-a-half stone Islander Stuart Vass is now setting up his own Slimming World group in Ryde.
Slimming World’s ‘Machobesity Report’ recently revealed that men are encouraged to see fatty foods and beer as ‘manly’ and attempts to lose weight as ‘feminine’.
With so much conflicting advice out there, it’s no wonder some men think Slimming World wouldn’t work for them. In fact, research shows that men can actually lose weight faster than women when they join their local group!
Stuart spent many years believing that joining Slimming World and losing weight was something that he simply watched his wife do.
He explains:
“Whilst I was weighed almost 17 stones, I could not see why I needed to lose weight, I worked hard and I played hard. I was happily married and didn’t feel that I needed to lose weight to feel good. But as the years passed my knees started to hurt, I became breathless and tired when walking the dog and my self esteem plummeted.
“I avoided buying clothes as I didn’t want to admit the size I had become; I avoided socialising – so much for ‘work hard and play hard’- in fact day to day life was becoming hard! I knew something had to change, for both my heath and emotional wellbeing. I didn’t want to become another statistic!”
68% of men in the UK are currently overweight or obese. Men are more likely to store body fat around their middle which is associated with an increased risk of a number of health conditions including type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure.
Stuart and his wife Hilary decided to embark on a new weight loss journey together…
“Although I wasn’t on my own when I first walked through the door I was still nervous about joining – I felt embarrassed, thinking ‘blokes don’t do this’. I couldn’t have been more wrong, though. My Consultant made me feel so welcome and, to my surprise, it was great. We all had a good laugh, and I wasn’t the only man there. I now have a room full of new friends who understand, they support me and keep me motivated– with absolutely no judgement or humiliation”.
Stuart’s big appetite has not stopped him from losing weight, the pounds and stones have fallen off whilst he has enjoyed his favourite meals. He has lost over 2-and-a-half stone since joining his local Slimming World group.
In May of this year, Stuart didn’t feel well and was shocked when he was told he had suffered a small stroke. Thankfully, he has recovered quickly and has no long-lasting effects. He fears had he not lost some of the weight then the stroke would have had a very different outcome for him.
Stuart has been so delighted with his own success he has decided to also help others live their best life and is embarking on the next stage of his Slimming World journey. He is launching his very own group at Greenmount Primary School on Thursday evenings at 17:30.
Male or female, if you’re feeling inspired to take that first step towards achieving the weight you want, he is waiting to help. Get in touch for more details by calling Stuart on 07887532432.
