Despite the fact I’d known the diagnosis was coming, it was still a shock to hear the words out loud: ‘I’m afraid you have type 2 diabetes.’ I’d been referred for tests by my GP because I felt constantly drained and exhausted. Now I knew for sure, I went home to tell my wife, Elissa. I was worried about possible future complications, so I did my best to cut down on things like bread and sweet treats.

A year later, in November 2018, though, I’d only lost just over a stone. So when a flyer for Slimming World dropped onto my doormat, I thought, ‘This is it, I’ll join!’ I was about to turn 50, which was a huge factor for me. I got out of breath easily, I had high cholesterol and high blood pressure and I suffered from severe back pain.

I went along to my local group the following January, and weighed in at 23st 4½lbs. I quickly realised that I was in the right place. My Consultant, Claire, was so helpful and I got off to a good start straight away. 

Before joining Slimming World, my main meals were always fast food. I never felt like I had the time to prepare food, so we’d just get something quick like pizza or pie and chips. I wouldn’t think about what I was eating at all. Now, I plan my meals and I never feel hungry. I’m cooking everything fresh from scratch and, OK, maybe it takes a wee bit longer, but not always and it’s so much healthier. My favourite quick dinner is crustless quiche and I also love my Food Optimised chicken curry – it’s absolutely delicious!

In IMAGE therapy, we talked about our personal challenges and I realised that biscuits were a trigger food for me – if I started a packet, it would be gone before the evening was out! Claire suggested finding other ways to satisfy my sweet tooth, such as having fresh fruit with low-fat yogurt. It worked brilliantly and, spurred on by the other members’ support in group, I started getting some great losses.

Within a couple of months, Elissa and our sons, Iain and Ewan, could see the change in me – now, rather than dozing on the couch, I was always on the go. And Food Optimising worked like a dream. In February 2020, just over a year after joining, I achieved my target weight – and the very same week, I was told my diabetes was in remission and I could come off the medication!

We’d talked about Body Magic in group, and I began following the Couch to 5K programme. I couldn’t believe how much I enjoyed my first proper exercise in years, and it was great to get outside every day. I now run two or three times a week and I completed the Edinburgh Marathon Festival 10K two years running. When I crossed the finish line and shared a post on Facebook, the support I got from my Slimming World group was phenomenal.

I’m also a Diamond Member these days, as I’ve been at target for a year and a half, and I’ve even retrained as a Slimming World Consultant!

The real crowning glory came recently, though, when I was about to go to a friend’s wedding. ‘I wonder if I can still get into the kilt I wore when we got married?’ I joked to Elissa and began searching for it.

Unbelievably, it fitted beautifully – a whole 30 years after I’d first worn it! That tartan kilt symbolises the changes I’ve made to my health and, when I’ve got it on, I couldn’t feel prouder.

*Weight loss will vary according to your individual circumstances and how much weight you have to lose.