NEW research by Slimming World suggests that many men do not like to ask for help to manage their weight, yet a Launceston man who had the strength to look past that has lost a brilliant six stone.

Since January, Ian Clements has lost 6st 1lb in 21 weeks and has now been named Launceston Monday’s Slimming World Man of the Year 2016.

Like many men, Ian thought that slimming clubs were aimed at women and assumed the focus would be on ‘diet’ food and talking about people’s emotions.

However, he decided to give it a try after suffering aches and pains. After walking through the doors, Ian was pleasantly surprised to find that the support provided by the group was practical and the camaraderie and sense of competition appealed to him. He also enjoyed following the eating plan.

Ian said: “Deep down I’d been unhappy with my weight for some time but it took me a long time to face up to it. And then when I did admit to myself that I wanted to lose weight I still didn’t want to ask for help.

“It was nerve-wracking walking through those doors for the first time but I wasn’t the only man there and everyone was so supportive. Now I look forward to the sessions. There is lots of banter and laughter and I get some really good ideas too, from new recipe suggestions to ideas to boost my activity levels.”

As the weight came off, Ian found he had more energy and so he was eager to use it. He added: “As a man I always thought that physical activity would be the best way to lose weight, but when I was at my heaviest I just wasn’t fit enough to do it.”

“Slimming World helped me to break it down into chunks and by starting small I’ve managed to build up my activity gradually. I started using an exercise bike at home and as I got fitter I started pushing myself more. I can honestly say I feel like a different man since losing weight. Now I can play with the grandkids and play cricket for South Petherwin.”

Emma Weston, who runs the Launceston Monday’s Slimming World group, said: “He has done brilliantly and we’re all amazed by his transformation. He’s a real inspiration to the group.”

Now Ian could go through to the semi-finals of the national Slimming World Man of the Year 2016 competition, which will be held at Slimming World’s head office in Alfreton, Derbyshire in July. The overall winner will take home a luxury holiday in Chicago or £3,000 cash.

The other Launceston groups’ Man of the Year winners were: Monday 9.30pm — Nick Gannon; Wednesday 5.30pm — Andy Wood; Wednesday 7.30pm — Peter Prynne; Thursday 10am — Andrew Cowling; Thursday 5pm — Lee Weatheril; Thursday 7pm — Rik Jones.