'I used to watch EastEnders every week, I knew this habit was killing me'
Andrew Wood used to love nothing more than sitting with his family to watch one of their favourite shows, EastEnders. But soon he would realise his weekly habit was killing him.
The 50-year-old, from the Hollins area of Oldham, would power through a big bag of crisps. At other times he would binge on carbs, eating at the wrong times - eventually tipping the scales at 26st 4lbs.
At his heaviest he struggled even climbing stairs.
Yet despite facing the terrifying reality of developing serious health issues, Andrew says it was an upcoming wedding that truly motivated him to change.
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The dad-of-one knew he had to make major changes after learning he had a high chance of developing diabetes and heart disease. Desperate to lead a healthier lifestyle, Andrew, who works as a machine operator, decided to sign up to Slimming World in January 2024.
He had been overweight for as long as he could remember and spent years battling with his size. By following a food plan and adding walking to his daily routine, the dad watched as the weight dropped off – eventually shedding an incredible 8st 4lbs.
Now weighing in at 18st, Andrew has described his transformation as “life-changing”. “I had always struggled with my weight throughout life,” he told the Manchester Evening News. “I was always putting weight on and weight on.
“I was eating the wrong things; I liked my carbs and my crisps. At night, we would come together as a family and watch EastEnders and we would all have a big bag of crisps each.
“I was eating at the wrong times, eating late and not doing enough exercise.”
Although Andrew had spent his entire life being overweight, he says his size would often get him down – especially after the festive season.
“I was quite low about it,” he added. “After Christmas time, I became very self-conscious. As someone who has always been overweight, I was uncomfortable.
“If there were people about who I didn’t know, I tended to shy away and go in a corner, but I couldn’t fit in a corner because I was so big. You mask it.”
“I wanted to be able to buy normal clothes from a normal shop,” he said. “I always had to get clothes online. I’ve lived in shorts for the past 10 years with elasticated waist-bands. It was such a nice feeling being able to go into Next and buy normal clothes.”
Andrew credits making small changes for his weight loss success – from swapping cooking oils to making ‘fake-aways’. Incredibly, his new lifestyle means he has been able to reverse his threats of heart disease and diabetes.
“I initially cut out bread but started to reintroduce wholemeal bread,” he said. “I also changed the oil to a fry-light cooking spray.
“I cook a lot and have taken over cooking from my wife. We always have a fake-away on a Friday night.
“I’m coming home from work with a little bit more energy. Before, I would have tea at 5pm and sit on the sofa until 10pm mustering up the energy to walk up the stairs.
“It’s only now I realise how much more energy I have and how bad my energy levels were. I felt so tired. It’s been life-changing.”