At 24 stones Terry Sharratt needed to lose weight but thanks to Slimming World he's well on his way to reaching his target. Liz Rowley talks to the self-employed builder about his impressive loss

TERRY Sharratt's weight had never bothered him until even the simple task of walking started to become a strain. The 53-year-old, who lives in Green Lane, Willaston, with wife Sue, aged 50, has struggled to keep his waistline down most of his adult life, but when he hit 24 stones he knew he had to do something.

"It got to the stage where I started to feel quite poorly with it," admits the self-employed builder, who owns Terry Sharratt Builders. "I was lethargic, my mobility was becoming more restricted and I couldn't walk far without aching and being tired."

His solution was to join Slimming World and with a target of nines stones to lose in 12 months, he's already two thirds of the way there.

He says: "Obviously being 24 stones the weight was quite easy to get off at first, but all I started to do in the beginning was reduce the amount of food I was eating.

"I never thought I was on a particularly bad diet, but because of the job I do I was always buying pies and cakes at lunchtime instead of proper meals."

Changing the quantity he consumed was more than enough to kick-start Terry's weight loss, and within eight months he has dropped almost six stones of excess weight. It's only since Christmas, however, that he's really started to notice a change.

"I know I'm still overweight and that I've got quite a bit more to lose, but since Christmas I've been able to do a lot more than I've done before," he admits. "I've got a lot more energy and I'm able to work without feeling so tired, but I know I can do more to help myself."

Although Terry has struggled with his weight since a teenager – aged 16 he weighed 15 stones – the diagnosis of diabetes in 1996 made his weight loss campaign even more necessary.

"I was thinking about buying a house and in order to get a mortgage I was asked to have a medical. The results came back that I had high blood pressure and from this they found out I was actually a diabetic. I haven't really worried about this but obviously the heavier you are the worse it affects you. Nobody prompted me into losing weight, I just decided to do it because I knew that if I didn't do something I would end up being in hospital or worse."

Joining Slimming World was even easier for Terry – who has halved his intake of insulin since starting the plan – thanks to the support of an employee also trying to lose weight.

"He had lost weight and then put it back on again and the pressure meant he was suffering with his knees," he explains. "I'd been to Slimming World a few years ago and lost some weight but didn't stick to it. When I went back my mate came with me and we found it motivating.

"Ideally I'd like to reach my target by July because it would be a year since I joined the group, but I won't be disappointed if it's a week or a month after, just as long as I get there eventually.

"I'm still dieting hard and I go to the doctors for regular check-ups and he says I'm going great."

He might still have a way to go, but with his waistline already plummeting, Terry openly admits to feeling like a new man.

"Losing the weight has certainly made me feel a lot better," he concludes. "It's helped me with my business and it's helped me away from work as well. Taking the initial plunge is the hardest part, but once you start it's great."

Slimming World class leader Helen Jones says: "Terry has been a complete inspiration to the group since he started.

"He's consistently lost weight and always stays to help motivate others. It's been hard for him because of his diabetes, but his insulin has halved since he lost the weight and I know he's feeling a lot better."

Terry attends the Slimming World class at the Victory Hall, in Woore, on Tuesdays at 7pm. To learn more call 01270 628242