Harry moves mountains after losing more than 14st with Slimming World
· At his heaviest, Harry Cox couldn’t walk for more than two minutes without being exhausted
· The letting agent, from Holland-on-Sea, has now halved his bodyweight by losing an incredible 14st with Slimming World
· The 27-year-old has been named the organisation's Man of the Year 2026 thanks to his stunning transformation and wants to challenge the perception that slimming clubs are just for women.
A letting agent from Essex who once drove to appointments just a two-minute walk away has lost more than half his bodyweight, climbed Snowdon and been named Slimming World's Man of the Year 2026.
Harry Cox, 27, from Holland-on-Sea, says losing more than 14st has completely changed his life. It’s given him the confidence, fitness and freedom to embrace adventures he never thought possible and inspired others to make positive changes too, including mum Sarah, 54 who’s lost 4st.
Harry, who attends Michelle Grosvenor's Slimming World group in Holland-on-Sea, says the support he found in the group transformed not only his weight, but his belief in himself. He says: "When I look back at how I used to live, it honestly feels like a different life. I was exhausted all the time, physically and mentally. My weight affected every decision I made, even the simplest things.
“As a letting agent, I'd sometimes have appointments that were literally a couple of minutes away on foot, but I'd get in the car because the walk felt too much. I'd be worried about getting out of breath and embarrassed if someone saw me struggling. Looking back now, that's quite difficult to admit, but it shows just how much my weight had taken over my life. I'd convinced myself that was normal. I'd accepted feeling uncomfortable, tired and limited. The truth is I wasn't really living; I was just getting through each day."
At 25st 6.5lbs, Harry decided to join Slimming World with his mum. He says: "I didn't want a quick fix. I knew I could be successful because Mum had been a member before and that we would support each other. Michelle explained Food Optimising, to me and it sounded like I could eat in a way that fit around my life as a man in his 20s. I was still eating the foods I loved, just learning how to make them work for me. Friday night kebab night is still a non-negotiable in our house and my Slimming World group showed me I could still have this – the difference is now I make it myself using lean meat, spices and loads of fresh ingredients. I never feel like I'm missing out and that's a huge reason why I've been able to keep going."
There aren't many places where men can openly talk about struggling with their weight, confidence or relationship with food. Slimming World gave me that safe space, encouragement and a group of people who genuinely wanted me to succeed.
As the weight came off, Harry discovered a passion for walking and the outdoors and explains how Slimming World’s active lifestyle programme encourages members to start with small steps towards getting more active. He says: "Before losing weight a short walk felt difficult, but gradually my walks got longer and, before I knew it, I was walking for enjoyment. Living near the beach, I've spent so much time walking along the seafront and appreciating where I live. Those walks became something I looked forward to instead of something I dreaded.
“The moment that really brought home how far I'd come was when I climbed Snowdon. Standing at the top was emotional because I knew the old me would never have believed it was possible. It's one of the achievements I'm most proud of."
In recognition of his remarkable transformation, Harry has been named Slimming World's Man of the Year 2026 after being nominated by fellow members and impressing judges with his weight loss, commitment and the inspiration he provides to others.
Harry, who now weighs 11st 1lb, is passionate about encouraging more men to discover the support system available at Slimming World and believes many are missing out because they mistakenly think groups are only for women.
He says: "I know some men can feel nervous about walking through those doors thinking it’s not for them and I completely understand that because I wondered if I'd fit in too. What I found though, was a group of people who understood exactly how I was feeling. Nobody judged me. Nobody criticised me. They just supported me.
“There aren't many places where men can openly talk about struggling with their weight, confidence or relationship with food. Slimming World gave me that safe space, encouragement and a group of people who genuinely wanted me to succeed. At group we would share what events or challenges we had coming up and what we would do to stay on track. It was that accountability and forward planning that made such a difference each week. If sharing my story helps even one man realise he doesn't have to do this on his own, then that's something I'm incredibly proud of.”
Harry says his family and friends have been a huge source of support throughout his journey too. He says: "The support from the people around me has been unbelievable. My mum has lost over 4st and we’ve celebrated every milestone together. My friends and family have encouraged me when I doubted myself. The best thing is seeing how my journey has inspired others.
“When I climbed Snowdon, I thought about how far I'd come, not just physically but mentally too. I thought about the person who was driving two minutes down the road because he couldn't face the walk. If I could go back and tell that version of me one thing, it would be that you are capable of so much more than you realise. Slimming World hasn't just changed my weight. It has changed the way I see myself and the way I live my life. That's something I'll be forever grateful for.”
Group: Harry attends Michelle Grosvenor's Slimming World group in Holland-on-Sea, Essex.
VITAL STATS
Harry Cox:
Starting weight: 25st 6½lbs (161.7kg)
Weight loss: 14st 5½lbs (91.4kg)
Weight now: 11st 1lb (70.3kg)
Height: 5ft 6in (1.68cm)
Joining date: 6th June 2024
Age: 27
Before menu:
Breakfast: Fried breakfast or bacon sandwiches on white bread
Lunch: Sandwiches filled with fried crispy chicken, crisps and a large chocolate bar
Dinner: Ready-meal lasagne with garlic bread or a large kebab from a takeaway with chips
Snacks: Fast food, chocolate bars and crisps
After menu:
Breakfast: Overnight oats with fat-free Greek yogurt, strawberries and blueberries
Lunch: Tuna or chicken salad with low-fat mayonnaise and red picked onions. Fruit bowl, with banana and low-fat raspberry yogurt.
Dinner: Slimming World homemade cottage pie with vegetables
Snacks: Hi-fi bars (available in Slimming World groups), fresh fruit, small chocolate bar and a pack of low-calorie crisps.