A MAN from Carlisle who shed seven stone to have more confidence on his wedding day has said Slimming World has 'saved his life'.

Col Methven, 44, from Carlisle was six stone lighter when he said “i do” and has in total lost seven stone and achieved his chosen target weight.

Col joined Slimming World after feeling as if he couldn't 'look at the man in the mirror' and with his upcoming wedding to wife Jodie decided to make a change 

"It was march 2023, the wedding was 6 months away, I didn't share her (Jodie's) confidence that there was enough time to make the changes. That said, it felt like I really needed to - and soon.

"With my weight at an all time high, I’d developed sleep apnoea, a condition that meant I’d stop and start breathing at night, Jodie was worried. My GP told me in no uncertain terms it was triggered by my weight.

"I was a postie in the Royal Mail and my round was 12 miles a day within Carlisle, my diet was Baguettes lots of mayo pizza crisps full sugar cola, the Lbs had steadily creeped on I had reached 23 stone and my self confidence had gone in the opposite direction.

"I was embarrassed about the way I looked, I was sure everyone would judge me. It took a lot of convincing from Jodie before I agreed to go, I was anxious, I was certain I was the Slimming world type."

But after joining his local group with the help of Jodie, Col came up with a food optimising plan, and took part in Body Magic Slimming Worlds physical activity Programme 'a few minutes at a time on the exercise bike, gradually building it up, week after week'.

Col said: "It isn't overstating things when I say Slimming World Saved my life. If I had carried on I was going in that cycle of self-destruction. I am a new man in a new phase of my life with my new wife Jodie."

You can find your local group at www.slimmingworld.co.uk