A Scots slimmer got to meet Emile Heskey after shedding nearly 14 stone – more than the former Liverpool star weighed during his playing days.
James Wright’s weight loss won him a place in the semi-finals of Slimming World’s Man of the Year 2019 competition, after losing 13st 9.5lbs.
The 34-year-old, from Edinburgh, was congratulated by former England international Heskey at a ceremony to name the semi-finalists.
Heskey, 41, weighed around 12-and-a-half-stone during a career which included a 2001 FA Cup final victory.
James, who slimmed down from 26st 2.5lbs to 12st 7lbs at the city’s Longstone Slimming World group, was encouraged to join by fiancée Toni.
He said: “It was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.”
A Slimming World study revealed 95 per cent of men want to lose weight for health reasons but generally keep weight worries to themselves for more than six years.
On average, men lose 5.7 per cent of their body weight in three months at Slimming World, while women shed 4.3 per cent.
James said: “I’ll admit I was nervous I’d be the only bloke in the room. I wasn’t though.
“And, even if I ever was, it didn’t matter because everyone there is so supportive.
“The hints, tips and recipe ideas kept me motivated even on the weeks I was struggling.
“When I thought about losing weight I thought I’d have to cut out all of my favourite meals and go hungry but I couldn’t have been more wrong.
“I eat just as much as before, if not more. Steak and chips, cooked breakfasts and curries are all still on the menu.
“I’ve just had to make some simple swaps like ditching the olive oil or butter in favour of low-calorie cooking spray and swapping white bread for wholemeal.”
James said he’s taken up running as part of his exercise regime.
He added: “I run five miles home from work five days a week and I feel great for it. I hope to one day run a marathon.”
Heskey said: “It was a pleasure to meet James and hear about his transformation. It’s hard to believe he ever had a problem with his weight.”
Elaine Hunt, who runs the Longstone group, said: “A lot of people think that slimming clubs are female-only zones but that’s not the case at all and James is proof of that.”
James made the final ten but fell short of winning the competition. The overall winner will be announced next month.
