An 80-year old slimmer has proved it’s never too late to change after losing 3 and a half stone in just seven months.

William Smith, who turns 81 in July, is just one pound away from his target weight of 12 stone and is now encouraging others to follow his lead, saying: “if I can do it, anyone can!”

Mr Smith, who lives in Bury St Edmunds, started losing weight after his GP referred him to his local Slimming World class last November. He then weighed 15 stone 8lbs, but has been losing an average of 1.5 – 2lbs a week ever since by following a sensible diet of low fat foods such as salad, salmon and chicken.

“If I can do it, anybody can,” said Mr Smith, who attends the Tuesday night class at Howard Community Centre. “I only wish that I’d done it years ago – but who knows, by doing it now, I might have added another ten years to my life!

“I’d been trying to lose weight myself but found it very difficult on my own. I’d start off right for a couple of days but would then begin cheating – which was silly as I was only cheating myself at the end of the day.

“My GP put the idea in my head to go to a class but I was a bit reluctant at first. I thought it would be all women, but there are men there too. Once I got there, everyone was really friendly and welcoming. They’re all behind you, which really gives you a lift.

“Knowing that I’ve got to be weighed in front of the class motivates me, while seeing other people lose weight also spurs you on. We all try and encourage each other as well and offer support to get on the right track.”

Mr Smith sticks rigorously to his diet all week – but does allow himself one treat the day after his weekly weigh in.

He said: “I’m really good all week and always concentrate on my diet – apart from Wednesdays, when I always have fish and chips for lunch. After all, a little of what you fancy does you good.

“I’ll eat anything, so the diet is easy for me. I just have a look in the book I was given and have whatever I feel like on that day. I’ve learnt that you have to be patient and keep at it – just do what you’re told and eat the right foods, and you’ll lose weight.

“I’ve surprised myself with what I’ve done. Never in a month of Sundays did I dream I’d lose all that weight! I feel so much better in myself, have more energy and am sleeping better. I don’t get out of breath any more either.

“The only problem is that I brought some brand new trousers before I started the diet and now they’re far too big for me so I can’t wear them!

“I’m proof that if you want to lose weight, you can. You just need to set your mind to it. I’d encourage anyone else who wants to be a healthier weight to go to a class – if you want to lose weight, that’s the place for you!”

Sally Hogg, head of health improvement partnerships at NHS Suffolk, said: “Mr Smith is a shining example of what the Healthy Ambitions Suffolk project is all about. He has done brilliantly to persevere with his diet and lose weight – and now feels much better as a result.

“Mr Smith is also living proof of the value of the slimming on referral scheme, through which GPs can offer vouchers for slimming classes to patients who fit the criteria of having a body mass index over 30.

“I’d encourage anyone else who wants to feel fitter and healthier to take inspiration from him and follow his lead. Small changes can make a massive difference and there’s never been a better time to start – so take the plunge and make your own healthy ambition become a reality.”

www.healthyambitionssuffolk.nhs.uk