Thousands of woman across East Lancashire will vow to lose weight as their New Year’s resolution. We spoke to inspirational Nelson super-slimmer Simon Woof, who is about to become the region’s only male Slimming World group leader.

WHEN Simon Woof looks in the mirror he must pinch himself when he sees the slim, confident man looking back at him.

For just eight months ago Simon Woof was overweight, lonely and desperately unhappy.

Simon piled on weight in 2005 after undergoing debilitating chemotherapy.

“The treatment really knocked me for six,” said Simon, 38, of Barkerhouse Road, Nelson.

“I had absolutely no energy to do anything and would just lie on the sofa for hours on end. I was encouraged to eat in order to keep my strength up but because I was inactive the weight piled on.”

After recovering from cancer, Simon — a former financial manager — went back to work, but his weight remained the same and his self-esteem and confidence plummeted.

“I hated myself,” he remembered.

“I knew I was overweight but didn’t know how to sort myself out. I tried all kinds of diets but they all left me hungry and totally fed up. I stopped going out with friends and made excuses. I was deceiving them but, more importantly, I was deceiving myself.”

In May 2009 Simon was dealt another blow when he split from his partner of eight years.

“I was totally devastated. I just wanted to die,” he said. “It felt like the end of the world.”

But a work colleague told Simon about an article she had seen in the local press about a Slimming World group being held just around the corner from work, in Mill Hill, Blackburn.

“I realised that I was going to have to make the effort to get back out there and that only I could make the change,” said Simon. “My colleague had also struggled with dieting and thought she’d give herself one more go, so I agreed to go along too.”

Plucking up the courage to attend that first meeting was tough, but as soon as he arrived Simon knew it would be worth it.

“It was daunting to walk into an already established group, but we were welcomed at the door by the consultant Nicola Haworth,” remembered Simon.

“She was really friendly and put us at ease straight away. It felt like we belonged there from the outset. I remember thinking ‘Phew! What a relief!’ and wondering why I’d been so nervous in the first place.”

When he stepped on the scales during that first meeting Simon weighed in at 14st 7.5lbs, which was overweight for his 5ft 11in frame.

Now, just eight months later, Simon has lost all of his excess weight — 1st 7lbs — and is a picture of health. Not only that, he has been so successful that his slimming club has asked him to become its leader.

“I can’t begin to tell you just how simple and enjoyable the experience of losing weight has been,” said Simon.

“I was able to set my own targets, eat all my favourite foods, including fish and chips, curry and scrumptious puddings by following the generous and flexible Food Optimising programme. I’m sleeping much better and I know I’m healthier as a result.”

Simon puts his success down to the support he received from the group.

“We have something called Image Therapy, where the whole group gets involved and supports each other even when things are not going well for some members,” he said. “Members get comfort from each other’s stories and most of the time end up inspiring and motivating each other. “Simon is now looking forward to the future with confidence and a new-found energy.

He is taking over as leader of the Blackburn (Mill Hill) group which meets at Mill Hill Working Mens’ Club, Moorgate Street, every Wednesday, at 5.30pm and 7pm, from January 6.

For more information, contact Simon on 01282 690129 or email curlywurly.sw@googlemail.com.

“I can guarantee that Slimming World is not what you think,” said Simon.

“Come along and give it a try. Men, women and children are all welcome.

"Your weight loss journey may seem long and tough but together we can do it.

"The only limit is your imagination. I’m so glad I took that ‘one small step’.”