An Armadale man is fighting fit after his stunning weight loss.
When Michael Ashby moved to Scotland in 2001 he weighed more than 24 stone and his health was rapidly in decline.
At one point, he was taking seven different medications, including pills for blood pressure, cholesterol, and diabetes, along with daily insulin injections. But after making the decision to lose weight, Michael’s life has dramatically changed for the better.
“Losing the weight meant no more pills for blood pressure, no more pills for cholesterol, and my insulin has been reduced by half,” he said.
Over the years, he successfully lost around seven stone but hit a plateau. Michael needed support with mindset change, it was then that he decided to join Slimming World, motivated not only by his health but also by the desire to watch his four grandchildren grow up.
Michael continued: “I wanted to lose more, but I hit a brick wall.
“I love how Slimming World’s Food Optimising is about eating healthy food. You can mix and match speed-free foods with Healthy Extra choices.
“My favourite meal is curry and that’s become a hit with the whole family. You never go hungry.”
Michael realised what his success really meant during a doctor’s check-up, when his doctor told him that he was no longer required to take his blood pressure or cholesterol medication, and his insulin dose was cut in half.
That was the moment he truly believed he could reach his goal.
“I was determined to get to my target weight,” he said. “I have more energy now, I’m walking more and faster.
“My biggest challenge was giving up anything sweet – crisps, biscuits, and cakes.
“I’m proud of myself. People see me now and can’t believe how good I look.”
Michael’s wife Sandra added: “I am proud of Michael for sticking to it and achieving his personal target weight. He didn’t give up and he turned his health around.”
Michael’s Slimming World consultant Sandra Hartley, who runs her group from Armadale Methodist Church, is delighted with his progress.
She said: “Now that he has reached his target weight, Michael is pushing himself even further, setting a new goal to lower his weight enough to fall within a healthy BMI range.
“If you want to lose weight, come along to a group—you won’t regret it.”
Sandra’s groups run every Thursday at 5.30pm and Friday at 7.30am and 9.30am at Armadale Methodist Church.
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