A super slimmer has been honoured after losing more than six stone in just over 20 weeks during lockdown.
Michael Gray, from Portlethen, Aberdeenshire, could not have imagined how much more difficult his weight loss journey would get when he started it in January this year.
But now he has been rewarded for his focus by his local Slimming World group, as they named him their Man of the Year 2020 following the first ever virtual competition in the organisation's 50-year history.
Michael, 32, began 2020 weighing 21st 15lb with a 46-inch waist and has now dropped to 15st 8lb and a 36-inch waist, thanks to a new eating plan and exercise regime, alongside the advice and encouragement of his fellow members.
He said: "I've been doing exercise and workouts in the house, but when it got down to only being allowed out for an hour, it was really quite restricting.
“And because I live on my own, it's really quite challenging on the mental side of things as well as the social side of it.
"It was a struggle at times, but with family being quite close and the people in the Slimming World group, it's been really good."
After being made redundant from his offshore job, where the chefs would help him choose healthier options for meals, losing weight has given Michael something else to focus on while hunting for work.
He added: "Cooking meals from scratch is something I've always been into but I've got more into since I've started slimming World.
"Every second morning I'm doing some kind of workout, whether it's push-ups, squats or lunges. One of the guys I used to work with is a fitness instructor and he's given me a lot of advice over the years - it's just a case of getting myself to do it."
The national winner for Slimming World's Man of the Year 2020 competition will be announced in the coming months with a £4,000 cash prize up for grabs.
Group leader Nicola Garrod said: "Michael has done brilliantly and we're all in awe of his transformation.
"While so much has changed in the last few months, his determination and motivation has remained the same - he's a real inspiration to the group."
Michael’s daily meals – before
Breakfast: Bowl of Frosties (maybe going for seconds too)
Lunch: Sandwich meal deal from Asda or a Subway. Asda sausage roll, chicken and chips.
Snacks: Crisps, chocolate, anything that can be grabbed and ready to eat.
Dinner: Supernoodle, takeaway.
Michael’s daily meals – after
Breakfast: Boiled eggs
Lunch: Fruit and veg, more fish – specifically tuna.
Snacks: Slimming World Hifi bar.
Dinner: Takeaway equivalent prepared from scratch at home – fresh fish with homemade chips, pizza on a wholemeal wrap.
