Real Success

Barrie Walters from Shropshire has lost an incredible 6 stones with Slimming World and totally transformed his body and health! From lethargic lorry driver to fitness fanatic, Barrie shares his journey here.

“My weight steadily increased over the years as a result of working in the transport industry. The early starts, late finishes, eating at truck stops and burger bars on the road as an LGV driver meant I really piled on the pounds. Five years ago an opportunity arose to progress into middle management. I took the position hoping that it would give me some time to ‘get back on track’. After a while I decided to leave management and go back out on the road as an LGV driver. Very quickly I realised that I wasn’t fit enough to do the job anymore, damaging my back in the process which resulted in two months off work.

"I'd also been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and the condition was slowly worsening. To make matters worse I now had dangerously high blood pressure and cholesterol levels! Enough was enough!"

“My wife Sam had previously been a successful Slimming World member, but unsupported by me her weight had crept back on. She suggested we joined a group together to ‘change our lives once and for all’. So very begrudgingly the next Thursday night, Sam dragged me to our local group.

“I was the only man in the room at first and was feeling decidedly uncomfortable. I picked up a Slimming World Magazine and buried my head in it, hoping to blend into the background. I started to read an article about a man who had gone to a group and was exactly the same starting weight as me. He’d lost 4½ stones in six months and his before and after photos were incredible! It was at that point that I thought, ‘if he can do it, so can I!’ I vowed to myself that I’d lose 5 stones.

“I quickly got into Food Optimising, enjoying alternate Original and Green days as I love them both. When I found out that Mullerlight yogurts are a favourite Free Food at Slimming World I was quite amused. Part of my job as a lorry driver is to deliver for Muller dairies, so I actually transport millions of Mullerlight yogurts a year!

“As my weight fell off I started receiving regular Slimmer of the Month and Slimmer of the Week awards which gave me the confidence to begin exercising. I went to my local swimming baths and took some stroke improvement lessons and started swimming regularly. I soon received my Silver and Gold Body Magic awards! I took up running in August 2005 , very slowly at first. After a few weeks I was able to run 6 miles in one go! Before I lost weight I did no exercise at all. Now I run 6-8 miles 3 or 4 times a week, I cycle 25 miles 2 or 3 times a week and I walk my dog 4 miles every day. I’m training for a half marathon in March 2006 and eventually I’d love to compete in triathlons.

“Thanks to my weight loss my confidence and physical health were improving, my blood pressure was lowering all the time and I felt great. My GP even reduced my diabetic medication – she told me that I’m the only person in her diabetic clinic to have their medication reduced. I’m hoping that it can stop altogether eventually!

“Six stones lighter I have so much more energy than ever before and I can shop in any high street store. Instead of paying £75 for a pair of ‘big man's jeans’ as I used to do, I got a pair for £15 recently! I gave 27 of my old shirts and 12 pairs of trousers to a charity shop recently because they were simply too big to wear!

“My whole extended family has joined in with my journey. I joined Slimming World with my wife, my youngest daughter runs the book shop at our group and my parents and in-laws have all adopted Food Optimising cooking techniques when we eat at their houses.

“I know that I’ll maintain my weight loss forever as Slimming World has taught me a new way of eating and looking after myself. The best thing is I know that I’ve prolonged my life and improved mine and my family's life!”

find out more

If you'd like to reveal the real you, find your nearest warm and friendly Slimming World group, where men and women are welcome.