A DETERMINED slimmer is celebrating after his new healthy lifestyle helped him lose four and-a-half stone and reverse his diabetes.

Stanway resident Andy Knowles has been a member of the Kingsland Slimming World Group since September.

With the support of group members and consultant Rachel King, in less than a year he has lost four and-a-half stone, the equivalent of more than 29 bags of sugar.

More importantly his dietary changes have meant he has reversed his Type 2 diabetes, and no longer requires daily insulin injections.

Andy, 63, said: “At the end of 2015 I was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes after having severe flu.

“In fact, my doctor was very close to admitting me to hospital because my glucose was reading so high.

“In an attempt to lose weight, over the next three years I signed up to two gyms, attending three or four times a week doing both cardio and swimming for two hours a time.

“Although I lost a small amount, just over a stone, there was no significant improvements.”

Despite mammoth efforts, Andy wasn’t getting anywhere and his mental health was beginning to suffer.

It was in September, when he took the plunge and signed up the Slimming World, when he really began to notice a difference.

“Over the past eight months I have lost nearly four-and-a-half stone and have reversed my diabetes. This was not only a surprise to me but also my diabetes nurse at my surgery.

“I now feel far better in myself, have much more energy and am not self-conscious.

“Plus, I am no longer a slave to twice daily insulin injections and all the limitations being diabetic caused.”

Although he is not finished on his weight loss journey, Andy has sung the praises of the Slimming World plan, and encouraged others to give it a go.