A man from Darwen is celebrating after losing seven-and-a-half stone, and has revealed exactly how he did it.

Fifty five-year-old Simon Teale says the weight loss has transformed his life after struggling with his size for years.

He said: “Like a lot of people, I had tried various ways to lose weight including fad diets, meal replacements, the list goes on.

Lancashire Telegraph: Simon Teale after his weight loss Simon Teale after his weight loss (Image: Slimming World)

“They were always so restrictive and completely unsustainable, I could never stick to them for long and any weight I had lost soon piled back on.”

Simon knew there had to be a better, more effective way to lose weight and improve his health.

He said: “I was determined to find an answer that didn’t involve going hungry or feeling deprived, to find a way to turn my health around and take away my feelings of hopelessness and resignation to a life of shame and misery.”

After searching online he discovered the details of a local Slimming World group in Darwen.

He said: “I was incredibly nervous about going along and wondered if I would be the only man there and if this would really work for me.

“The second I walked in, I realised my worries were over. The consultant, Vicky Jackson, was so welcoming and I could see a room full of men and women all chatting warmly… I knew that I’d made the right decision.”

That evening Simon was taught about an eating plan that claimed to let him enjoy normal, everyday foods, satisfying meals made with meat, vegetables, pasta, rice and lose weight at the same time.

“I couldn’t believe I’d found a way to lose weight without starving myself,” he said. “I was completely hooked!”

Simon gradually lost more and more weight, learned to cook healthy and tasty meals – all with the support of the other members in group.

He said: “Making lifestyle changes can feel daunting without the support and camaraderie of others.

“Talking to my fellow members in group each week was invaluable, sharing ideas, recipes and being there for each other through good times and tricky times has helped me enormously and I couldn’t be more grateful and proud to be part of the Slimming World family.”

He not only made changes to his eating habit  but he also introduced exercise and activity into his daily routine to improve his fitness and overall health.

He said: “I’ve never been a gym bunny so I was thrilled to discover that Slimming World’s Body Magic programme encouraged me to gradually build in a variety of forms of exercise that would bring me fantastic benefits.

“I love gardening, walking, dancing – anything fun and enjoyable to raise my heartbeat and get me moving.”

Not content with transforming his own life, Simon now wants to share his success and newfound happiness with others in his local community.

After completing training at the Slimming World Academy, Simon has become a consultant and will run his very own group on Thursday evenings in Darwen. His first session is on May 4.

He said: “If someone had told me, when I first walked through those doors, that I would one day be helping others to lose weight, I wouldn’t have believed them.

“It’s a privilege to be able to pass on my experience, insight and understanding as a slimmer, to support others in the way that I was supported. I can’t wait to get started.”

You can find Simon’s Slimming World group at Derwent Hall in Darwen on Thursday nights at 5.30pm and 7.00pm.

For more information contact Simon on 07492 088232 or visit the Slimming World website.