Two Sunderland dads share their inspiring lockdown weight-loss stories as they enjoy healthier lives

Alan Dodds, 47, from Grangetown, decided he needed to take action when his weight started to affect his health – leaving him struggling to breathe at times.

The dad-of-four became increasingly reliant on his inhaler to manage his asthma and even found himself needing help to get out of the bath.

The turning point came on June 6, 2019, when Alan decided to join Slimming World in Grangetown Community Centre, Stannington Grove, along with wife Maureen.

Weighing in at 25st, Alan started out as a size five XL and had a 57in waist.

But by February 2020, Alan had shed an incredible 8st 7lb to weigh 16st 3lb. His waist size dropped to 36in and his clothes dropped to a size XL.

And Alan didn’t stop there – while some struggled to control their eating habits during lockdown, Alan continued to lose weight at home.

Alan has been crowned his group’s Man of the Year after losing a total of 9st 4lb and now weighs 14st 13lb and wears a size large with a 34in waist.

On losing weight during lockdown, Alan said: “It’s not been too much of a hassle as we’re in the right mind set, so up to now things have been exactly the same – apart from the virtual Slimming World meetings.”

Meanwhile Jonathon Maw was crowned Man of the Year at his Seaburn Slimming World group after managing to lose 4st despite the effects of lockdown.

Starting out in January 2020, weighing at 16st 4.5lb and a size XXL, Jonathon joined the group in an effort to tackle his high blood pressure and cholesterol.

Although his weekly meetings have now been replaced by virtual ones due to the pandemic, the dad-of-two from Fulwell said the support has still been amazing.

And his dedication throughout these difficult times has shown in his weight loss, as Jonathon has continued to shed the pounds and now weighs 12st 4.5lb.

His blood pressure and cholesterol levels have also come down and the 47-year-old is now hoping to be able to come off his medication.

“My lifestyle has totally changed,” Jonathon said.

“I can’t thank Emily King at Slimming World enough and the group for their support.

“The virtual groups on Zoom have taken some getting used to, but the support you get has still been unbelievable.

“I look back at the photos of me from before and at the time I was in denial.

“It was not until the weight came off that I realised.”

During lockdown, spray painter Jonathan has been following the eating plan at home and continued to run as part of his daily exercise.

Going from a size XXL and a 38in waist to a size large with a 32in waist, one thing that Jonathon is particularly looking forward to as we emerge from lockdown is the shops reopening so that he can finally buy clothes that fit him.

“I can’t wait until the shops open – everything I have is too big!”

But it’s not just Alan and Jonathan who have managed to lose weight during this challenging time.

Slimmers across the country have been coming together online to share support and advice on making healthy choices during the pandemic.

Slimming World’s virtual groups enable consultants and members to speak to each other via video calls so that they can share support and advice on maintaining healthy food choices and exercise whilst at home.

Durham and Wearside’s district manager Sue Thompson, who lost 16 stone with Slimming World, said: “We’ve created this new service so that we can continue to give our members the very best support, to help them hang on to the changes they’ve already made towards living a healthier life and – even more importantly – to keep in touch with their slimming community.”

Alan’s diet before:

Breakfast: Full English breakfast.

Lunch: Takeaway sandwich.

Dinner: Takeaways like pizza.

Snacks: Biscuits, cheese toastie.

Alan’s diet after:

Breakfast: Hi-fi bars, Alpen Light bars.

Lunch: Salad.

Dinner: Chicken curry or a baked potato.

Snacks: Carrot sticks.

Jonathon’s diet before:

Breakfast: Nothing.

Lunch: Takeaway bacon sandwich.

Dinner: Home made meals such as bolognese.

Snacks: Bread and biscuits.

Jonathon’s diet after:

Breakfast: Fruit.

Lunch: Home made meals such as pasta bake or soup.

Dinner: Home made meals such as diet coke chicken or curry.

Snacks: Fruit.

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