Real Success

Eighteen year old Jack Mitchell from Sunderland has been announced as the winner of Slimming World's Young Slimmer of the Year 2008 after losing a phenomenal 7½ stones.

Before joining Slimming World, teenager Jack could barely face walking into a shopping centre, let alone working in one of its brightest, busiest stores! But since losing weight, Jack has turned his life around, overcoming his shyness, beating the bullies that tormented him at school and landing his dream job at the Disney Store.

“The night before joining Slimming World, I didn’t get a wink of sleep. My stomach was churning and I was filled with fear at the thought of all those unfamiliar faces staring at me. Much to my relief, when I walked through those doors nearly 18 months ago, I saw a bunch of people just like me – smiling, chatting and stepping on the scales as if it were the most natural thing in the world! Now I’m one of those people too and it feels amazing!

“I’d started gaining weight around the age of 10. I’ve always had problems with my ankles, so instead of having a kick-about with the lads on a real football pitch, I’d do it on the computer instead. As I became more isolated, the loneliness really started to set in and I turned to food for comfort, especially after my grandfather died. To make matters worse, the bullying at school was horrendous.

“As I became bigger, I suffered with pains in my back – but that was nothing to the emotional pain and disgust I felt when I looked in the mirror. I tried losing weight with a plan set for me by the dietician at my local children’s hospital, but the portion sizes were so limited I was constantly hungry. And there were no treats – miserable! In the end I actually gained more weight than I lost.

“These days it’s a totally different story – Slimming World's Free2 Go plan for young people means I can fill my plate with a huge variety of delicious, satisfying foods. Thanks to my wonderful mam, the cupboards are filled with healthy food and I have a Food Optimising meal

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waiting for me every night when I get home from work! In addition, I always do at least 20 minutes of Body Magic a day, which really invigorates me and puts a spring in my step! I go out more, and have learnt how to incorporate treats and meals out into my eating plan so that my weight always stays under control.

“My main ambition in life is to become an actor or TV presenter – and with all this new-found energy and confidence, I truly believe I can do it. Believe me, having lost 7½ stones, I know anything’s possible when you’re determined enough! If you’ve got the right support and tools behind you (and at Slimming World, I’ve received tons of both!), there’s nothing to stop anyone from achieving their dreams!”

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If you'd like to reveal the real you, find your nearest warm and friendly Slimming World group, where men and women are welcome.