Kettering slimmers shed half their body weight

David West and Kay Lenton's lives have been changed with a new-found confidence, happiness and health after losing half of their body weight.

The pair, who are part of Kettering's Midland Band Slimming World club, have now been given a special 'Club 50' award as part of the company's 50th birthday.

David, who dropped from 20st 12lbs to 10st 1.5lbs, said he was proud to win the award.

He said: "I feel like a new man since losing weight. In fact, I look so different that people who I haven’t seen for a while often can’t believe I’m the same person.

"For me though it’s the change on the inside that’s been the greatest – I’m happier, healthier and much more confident now.”

Kay was told her weight would reduce her lifespan which led to her joining her local Slimming World group.

She has now lost 12st 6.5lbs and said she is "beaming".

She said: "My weight impacted on so many aspects of my life, from struggling to find clothes that I like to fit, to not being able to do simple everyday tasks without feeling tired and out of breath.

"Before I lost weight I hated having my photo taken and whenever I saw pictures of myself, I didn’t feel like my smile was real – yet now I’m beaming."

The pair followed a 'food optimising' eating plan and swapped takeaway curries for pasta dishes and Slimming World curry recipes.

David said it didn't feel like a diet and that he made small changes such as using lean meat and low calorie spray rather than oil or butter.

Christina Willis, who runs the Midland Band Slimming World group, said: “The changes we’ve seen in both David and Kay are incredible.

"I hope their success will inspire other people who’d like to lose weight by forming new lifestyle habits and as a result, become happier and healthier to come and join us.

"There’s a warm welcome waiting at Slimming World and just think, if you start today you could soon feel like a completely new person. You would be made to feel very welcome at either of my groups at the Midland Band Club in Kettering every Monday at 9.30am and 11.30am, or in Finedon at the Finedon Community Centre every Tuesday night at 7.30pm. If you would like any more information please give me a call on 07594 145776.”