Fylde coast dad sheds four stone with Slimming World and now wants to help others in Anchorsholme do the same

A Fylde coast dad who lost an incredible four stone after joining Slimming World is hoping to inspire others to make life-changing changes of their own – and says summer could be the perfect time to start.

Andy Paterson joined Slimming World in May 2025 after deciding he wanted to improve his health and be in the best possible position to support his family, including his disabled son and teenage daughter.

Now, four stone lighter, with more energy and a new-found confidence, Andy is taking the next step in his journey by becoming Anchorsholme’s newest Slimming World Consultant.

Andy said: “I joined Slimming World because I wanted to improve my health so I could be there for my son and support him in the way he needs.

“I have so much more energy, I feel healthier and my confidence has grown massively. I want to be as healthy and strong as I possibly can for my children, and losing weight has made such a difference to how I feel.”

With summer in full swing, Andy says there’s no need to wait until September or January to make a change – and believes having the support of a local community can make all the difference.

“When it comes to feeling healthier and more confident, having people around you who understand what you’re going through is so important,” he said.

“Real change doesn’t happen in isolation. There’s something really powerful about walking into a room where everyone wants you to succeed. You have people there for the highs and the lows, sharing ideas, encouraging you and helping you keep going when things don’t quite go to plan.”

Like many people joining Slimming World for the first time, Andy admits he was surprised to discover that losing weight didn’t mean going hungry or giving up all the foods he loved.

“I couldn’t believe how much I could eat!” he said.

Slimming World’s healthy eating plan, Food Optimising, encourages members to enjoy satisfying everyday foods and make healthier choices without calorie counting. Alongside this, members are supported to become more active at their own pace through Slimming World’s activity programme.

However, Andy says it was the support he received in his weekly group that really made the difference.

At the heart of every Slimming World group is our support system – Slimming World’s unique approach to behaviour change. Each week, members are supported to understand themselves as slimmer’s, recognise the habits and situations that can make losing weight difficult and develop practical strategies to overcome them.

Andy says that support is just as important today as weight-loss medication becomes increasingly popular.

Slimming World groups welcome anyone looking to lose weight, including people who are taking weight-loss medication, and Slimming World has recently launched dedicated GLP-1 support for members using weight-loss medications.

Andy said: “Whatever route somebody is taking to lose weight, having support to build healthy habits for the long term is incredibly important.

“For members using weight-loss medication, Slimming World’s support is there to help them make sure they’re eating well, staying active and developing habits that can support them not only while they’re losing weight, but in the future too.”

Slimming World’s expert-designed GLP-1 support includes tailored eating plans, recipe ideas, strength-building activity and guidance for members who come off medication, available through its digital hub alongside the support members receive in group.

Andy says Food Optimising can be particularly valuable when someone’s appetite is reduced.

“When you’re eating smaller amounts, making those meals nutritious and satisfying becomes even more important,” he said. “Food Optimising helps members build meals around foods that provide things like protein and fibre while still enjoying food and never feeling like they’re on a restrictive diet.”

The importance of long-term behaviour change has also been highlighted by research from the University of Oxford, which found that people who stop taking weight-loss medication can regain weight considerably faster than people who stop following other weight-management programmes.

For Andy, though, the most powerful evidence is his own experience.

“Slimming World has changed my life,” he said. “I’ve lost four stone, but what I’ve gained is just as important – my health, my energy and my confidence.

“Becoming a consultant is about so much more than helping somebody see a smaller number on the scales. It’s about helping people get their confidence back; feel better about themselves and achieve things they might not have believed were possible.

“I know what it feels like to walk through those doors for the first time, and I know what a difference having that support every single week can make.”

Andy will be relaunching the existing Thursday 5.30pm and 7pm in Anchorsholme.

And for anyone thinking they’ve already left it too late to make a difference this summer, Andy has a simple message:

“You don’t have to wait until Monday, September or January. You don’t have to wait until life is less busy or everything is perfect. You can just start.

“Walking through that door could be the beginning of something amazing. It certainly was for me.”

Andy’s Anchorsholme Slimming World groups are held at All Saint's Church every Thursday at 5.30pm and 7pm. To join, simply pop along or contact Andy on 07821 535825 For more information about Slimming World and its GLP-1 support, visit slimmingworld.co.uk.