I couldn't fit through a St James' Park turnstile before I lost more than six stone with Slimming World

Retired project manager Keith Holliday has transformed his weight with Slimming World after he was “struggling to walk” and had a “bad back”.

Keith, who is a dad-of-three and a grandad-of-one, joined a Slimming World group in January 2024 and has since got on to lose six stone 6lbs.

His weight loss means that he has gone from a 48-inch waist down to a 38-inch waist.

The 68-year-old has explained that he had a number of health problems before joining Slimming World but he didn’t attribute them to his weight.

He said: “I didn’t realise that I was as heavy as I was. I had been troubled with a back back for three years prior to joining Slimming World.

“I was struggling with my walking and my health in general but I didn’t realise that it had such much to do with my weight.

“I was eating a lot of sweets, nuts, ice cream, and fish and chips, as well as drinking lager when it was going out.

“When I first joined Slimming World, I was shocked at my weight but I was glad that I went so that I could start resolving the problem.”

Keith has heaped praise on his Slimming World consultant and revealed that he can now fit through a turnstile at St James’ Park when he goes to watch Newcastle United.

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He added: “Slimming World has given me the inspiration to lose weight and the 9am Friday morning group is very supportive and friendly.

“Joanne is the best consultant anyone could wish for and has given me a lot of encouragement and support on my journey to get me to where I am now.

“Instead of eating things like sweets and nuts, I am now eating lots of apples, pears or bananas.

“I’m going to the gym and walking around four or five miles without having to stop.

“I feel much fitter, I don’t have as many aches and pains and I also enjoy being able to get clothes much easier now, rather than having to shop at large men sites to get sizes I need.

“But most of all, losing weight means that I can now get through a turnstile at the match instead of having to go through a large door.”

You can find out more about Slimming World groups in Wallsend by visiting: https://www.slimmingworld.co.uk/counties/tyne-and-wear/wallsend.