Nick’s the ‘best version of himself’ after life-changing 6st weight loss
- A dad from Surrey says he’s physically and mentally fitter than ever since losing an incredible 6st in eight months at his local Slimming World group
- At 18st 11lbs, Nick Furlong felt his weight was impacting every part of his life including his job as an RAC patrol manager
- A routine check showed he had pre-diabetes, high cholesterol and sleep apnoea and he considered taking weight loss drugs
- Since joining Slimming World, the 45-year-old is much more confident at work and a fit and active dad to his children
Nick Furlong, 45, who says his weight affected every aspect of his life, feels he is in the best place both physically and mentally after losing 6st (38kg) in eight months with Slimming World.
He says: “I was relatively slim until I hit my 20s. My weight crept up from there so, I’ve essentially lived most of my life overweight. I’ve tried all sorts of diets over the years – Keto, meal replacement shakes and even the baby food diet. I’d lose a bit of weight, but none of them were sustainable. I didn’t enjoy what I was eating and felt I was missing out, which led to me feeling depressed and eating even more, in a downward spiral. I was seriously contemplating weight loss drugs before starting Slimming World and I’m so glad I didn’t go down that route.
“I’m a mechanic by trade and I’ve been in the industry for nearly 30 years. I work for the RAC managing a team of 43 patrols who attend hundreds of breakdowns every day. I no longer work at the roadside myself, and one of the reasons was because it was becoming such a struggle. I’d been known to get myself wedged under many a car while working and the physical side of the job was getting harder and harder.”
It was when Nick’s youngest son Oscar was born in 2019 that he really started considering his future. He says: “I knew I wasn’t the youngest of dads and my health wasn’t great either. I have been asthmatic all my life and I hadn’t realised what a huge part my weight played in this. I decided to go for a routine check-up at the doctor’s and the results were eye-opening. The doctor said I had prediabetes, high cholesterol and sleep apnoea too.”
Nick and his four best friends, decided to go along to his local Slimming World group. He says: “I was very sceptical at first. I was worried what being in a group was going to be like and that this would become something else I wasn’t able to stick with. But I was so wrong. My Wednesday night group is a highlight of my week. I soon realised that I didn’t have to miss out, I can still eat all my favourite foods and we can still eat together as a family. My Consultant Clare and the other members are so supportive.”
Nick, who lives with his wife Kerrie and two sons, 20-year-old Josh and Oscar, who’s now five, soon began to enjoy Slimming World’s healthy eating plan, and introduced new healthy ways of cooking and eating for the whole family. He says: “Clare helped me realise where my excess calories came from. I started planning my meals, so I didn’t make unhealthy decisions because I was hungry and in a rush. I prepared things to take to work with me and the other members in group gave me ideas to help me stay on track.”
In time, Nick became more active with the help of Slimming World’s physical activity support programme, which helps members introduce activity at their own pace and in a way that fits in with their daily routine.
One of my reasons for joining a Slimming World group was because I wanted to be an active dad, to be able to run in the parent’s race at my son’s sports day to show him that you can give anything a go. Before losing weight I’d avoid getting involved and my weight kept me on the sidelines, but not now! There’s been nothing but positive effects from my weight loss on my family, which I love!
“Being slimmer and having more energy encouraged me to get more active. I joined the gym with the same friends I joined Slimming World with, and I honestly love it. I never would have set foot in a gym when I was heavier. The simplest of tasks were a challenge before – I got out of breath just walking around the house. I’m a really active dad now, I enjoy long walks with the dogs and have even tried classes like spin and pilates. Slimming World has changed my life so much for the better.”
Now that he’s 6st lighter, Nick says he is much more positive at work too: “I feel more organised and focused throughout the day and feel I can give better support to the team that I look after. With my new positive mindset and drive to improve myself, I’ve enrolled in a team leader course that will provide a qualification at the end. My mental health and focus have all improved so much since I started my journey and feel like I’m the best possible version of me.”
VITAL STATS:
Name: Nick Furlong
Age: 45
Height: 5ft 11ins/180.34cm
Starting weight: 18st 11lbs/263lbs/119.2kg
Current weight: 12st 11lbs/179lbs/81.2kg
Weight loss: 6st/84lbs/38kg
Waist size before: 42-44ins/111.76cm
Waist size now: 32ins/81.2cm
Date joined Slimming World:13/03/2024
Group: Nick is a member of Clare O’Connell’s group in Woodhatch, Surrey
Before menu
Breakfast: Cafe bacon rolls, sausage sandwiches, or fast-food breakfast
Lunch: Shop-bought sandwiches or more fast food
Dinner: Home cooked meals like spaghetti bolognese
Snacks: Packs of crisps. Chocolate bars. Petrol station cakes/doughnuts.
After menu
Breakfast: Overnight oats. Fruit and low-fat yogurt
Lunch: Tuna salad and rice dishes
Dinner: Homemade Slimming World burgers, curries, stir fries and spaghetti bolognese. Lots of fish, lean meat and vegetables.
Snacks: Fruit, nuts, boiled eggs, chocolate bar
– ends –