I lost 3 stone at Slimming World in Fleetwood and now I'm a consultant encouraging others to do the same

Fleetwood dad Andy Mellor, 38, has lost 3 stone in just 16 weeks after joining Slimming World to support his fiancée, and is now helping others as a Slimming World Consultant.

Andy did not expect his support role to lead to significant personal changes.

Initially, he began attending Slimming World to encourage his partner, eating the same meals and joining her at group sessions.

However, when Andy weighed himself, he realised he could benefit from making healthy changes too.

This marked the start of his own weight-loss journey, which saw him lose 3 stone in just 16 weeks and reach his target weight. Eighteen months on, Andy has maintained this loss. Inspired by the encouragement he received from his Slimming World group, he has become a Consultant to help others.

“I originally joined because I wanted to support my fiancée, so I never imagined that I would end up changing my own life too,” Andy said.

“When I stepped on the scales, I realised that I needed to make some changes.

“Losing 3 stone in 16 weeks was an incredible achievement for me, but what really stayed with me was the support and encouragement I received along the way.”

Andy says that Slimming World’s Food Optimising approach allowed him to enjoy a wide variety of satisfying meals while working towards his goals.

He also maintains an active lifestyle, playing football at least twice a week.

A key part of Andy’s experience has been the group support.

"Our group became so much more than somewhere we went to get weighed. It really felt like a family. Everyone celebrates your successes, supports you when things don’t go to plan and gives you that encouragement to keep going,” he said.

Andy’s story reflects the broader success of Slimming World’s programme.

A recent evaluation of over one million adults found members lost an average of 5% of their body weight within three months.

The programme serves around 700,000 people each week through community groups and online services, supporting people of all ages and backgrounds.

Andy hopes his story will encourage more men to join.

Slimming World research shows men who participate can achieve significant weight loss, with regular attendance linked to strong results.

“I think sometimes men can feel that weight loss groups aren’t for them, or that they should just try to sort it out themselves,” Andy said.

“But that’s not what I found at all. I was welcomed, supported and never made to feel like I had to be perfect. You can still enjoy food, have a social life and be yourself.”

Now, Andy is launching a Slimming World group at Thornton Football Club on Gamble Road, with sessions every Monday at 5pm and 7pm.

The club is supporting the new community group.

“We’ve had such great support from Thornton Football Club, and I’m really grateful that they want to help us create something for the local community,” Andy said.

“I want people to know that wherever they are starting from, they will be welcomed. You don’t have to be perfect, and you don’t have to have everything figured out before you walk through the door.”

Andy lives in Fleetwood with his fiancée, their three children, and two soon-to-be stepchildren. Having transformed his life, he looks forward to helping others reach their goals.