Dieting George Gives It Stick!

DIETING George Forder has reached a unique personal goal. The 73-year-old retired prison officer from Weymouth has lost enough weight to dispense with his trusted walking stick.

And to celebrate, the father of three, grand father of nine and great grandfather of one, is now planning to raise money for charity by auctioning the stick on E-Bay. He explained: "I used to really struggle to walk any distance without the stick and yet now I don't need it anymore.

"My wife Pauline and I love going to Abbotsbury Sub Tropical Gardens and like walking up the steep Magnolia Way. Before, I would have to rest two or three times on the climb but now I can get to the top in one go and without having to use a stick.

"Hopefully I won't be needing it again - at least not because of my weight - and so I'm now going to put it on E-Bay and give any proceeds I make to charity."

George decided it was time to lose weight last year when he started to top scales at more than 18 stone. After consulting his doctor, he was referred to Lynch Lane-based lifestyle and health experts, Healthy Wessex Living.

For a nominal fee, they set about designing a personal programme, which included diet recommendations, exercise advice, general support and weekly mentoring sessions.

"We're not talking stones and stones," added George. "What I've lost is actually about 8lb so far. But that smallish amount has improved my lifestyle and wellbeing tremendously and so it just shows what a difference it can make.

"I have a target figure in mind and so I'll keep plugging away until I get there. Sure it's tough some times - I miss my cooked breakfasts and my Eccles cakes terribly - but on the whole it's easy because you can feel the benefits.

"The staff at Healthy Living Wessex have been fantastic and have become real friends. They don't order you around or anything like that. They offer sound, practical help and support and I would recommend them to anyone thinking of losing weight or generally wanting to improve their health."

George's personal mentor at Healthy Living Wessex, Sharon Taylor, said she is proud of her client's efforts.

She said: George has done fantastically well and we are all pleased and proud. He has been a model client, listening to advice and then going away and adapting his life accordingly and the benefits are there for all to see.

"To now be walking without a stick is a wonderful achievement and it has improved George's life so much. Small, gradual changes is the best way to improve your health and lifestyle and I'd urge anyone inspired by George to give Healthy Living a call."

Please contact us for details of future courses and for more information. Healthy Living Wessex Tel: 01305 765201; Email: sharontaylor@healthylivingwessex.co.uk