For years, Matt believed lasting weight loss just wasn’t going to happen for him.
Working full time, raising three daughters and now enjoying life as a grandad to three granddaughters, he had been a Slimming World member on and off for years.
The plan itself wasn’t the problem – consistency was. Weight would come off, then creep back on again, leaving him stuck in a frustrating cycle.
That changed when Matt restarted his journey on April 29, when he weighed 18 stone 11lb.
Now, just months later, he weighs under 15 stone – having shed an incredible three and a half stone to date. But for Matt, the transformation goes far deeper than the numbers.
“I’m honestly in a place I never thought I’d be,” he says. “Physically and mentally.”
Matt says his biggest battles were cravings – particularly sugar and alcohol. Living opposite a shop didn’t help, and nights out often ended with bags of chocolate and sugary snacks. He describes it as “a never-ending circle of self-sabotage”.
Health concerns became the wake-up call. With high blood pressure, high cholesterol and a high visceral fat index, Matt realised he didn’t want to let life pass him by. He had ambitions – completing the London Shine 26-mile walk for Cancer Research and one day hiking Ben Nevis – but knew none of that was possible without major change.
One decision proved to be a turning point: cutting out alcohol as much as possible.
“It was a total game changer,” he says. “Once I stopped drinking, the sugar cravings disappeared too. There are so many good alcohol-free options now – Guinness 0.0 became my go-to.”
Alongside following the Slimming World plan, Matt began walking again, tracking his health with a Garmin watch and slowly building his fitness. The weight began to fall, but so did something else – his self-doubt.
His health markers have improved dramatically. His cholesterol, blood pressure and visceral fat are all down. His clothes no longer fit, and he’s had to buy smaller sizes. But it’s the mental shift that stands out most.
“I walk to and from work every day, hit at least 15,000 steps, and I can run for an hour now,” he says. “Exercise used to feel impossible. Now I can’t wait to do it. It’s amazing what it does for your mood, especially being out in nature.”
At nearly 59, Matt says his goal is simple: to be the best version of himself and to inspire his children and grandchildren to believe they can achieve anything.
His Slimming World consultant, Jane Sigley, says Matt’s story is about far more than weight loss.
“I chose Matt as a feature not just because of the weight he’s lost – which is fantastic – but because of the impact this journey has had on his mental health and his whole life,” she says.
“He talks openly in group about the challenges he’s overcome and he’s rightly proud of his achievements. Seeing his confidence grow has been incredible.”
Jane says Matt’s enthusiasm has also had a ripple effect within the group, particularly through conversations with other members.
“The other day he was chatting with Simon, one of our long-term runners, asking about trainers. It sounds small, but it’s huge. It’s a conversation Matt probably never imagined being part of before. That’s what this journey has given him.”
Matt has been named Slimmer of the Week many times, often taking home the group’s much-loved basket of goodies – a major confidence boost and a sign of the support around him. Jane says the group can’t wait to award him his target certificate, with Matt already eyeing up his three-and-a-half-stone award.
Slimming World, Matt says, is his “safe space” – somewhere he knows he can stay accountable, supported and focused, even when challenges come along.
“I know there’ll be ups and downs,” he says. “But by keeping going to group, I know I’ll get there.”
Jane runs Slimming World sessions at Guide Bridge Theatre every Saturday at 8am and 9.30am, with Matt attending the 9.30 group.
Find your local group at www.slimmingworld.co.uk