This week is Men's Health week 2021.

Local Slimming World Consultant Laura Bounford and her group are speaking out to help reach other men in our community who are looking to make a change to their health, wellbeing, body image and/or mental health.

Laura says: "Weight issues are common in both men and women, yet we know from over 52 years' worth of research into the science and psychology of slimming that men who are overweight report taking around two-and-a-half years to realise they are overweight, and on average up to three years longer to find the right time or courage to talk to someone about their weight worries.

"It's then around another year before they pluck up the courage to do anything about it, meaning that overall, it takes more than six years for men to act to tackle their weight."

Slimming World consultant Laura Bounford who supports 110 people in Congleton at Astbury Village Hall every Thursday says: "This is heart-breaking but understandable. It took me three years to do something about it myself and I'm female.

"Culturally, men who are overweight often see it as masculine to make unhealthy lifestyle choices such as eating big portions of high calorie and processed foods and drinking alcohol to excess, while also avoiding seeking support to help them manage their weight.

"Often, they may see increasing physical activity as the most socially acceptable way to approach losing weight as well as competitive team sports and high-intensity activity being seen as more masculine, while group-based exercise classes and slimming clubs are seen as more feminine.

"Thankfully, I have a fabulous group including 18 amazing men to-date, which is above-average for a Slimming World group, and I am so proud of that fact, and after sharing these facts with my male members they wanted to jump at the chance to speak-up together to share their experiences in the hope to inspire more local men to take that step right now."

Adam Molloy who lives in Buglawton, Congleton, and is a father of one, first joined Laura feeling self-conscious, lethargic and feeling at an all-time low with his weight.

He is now 6st 7lb lighter and has been awarded his 10am groups 'Man of the Year 2021' title last week for his exceptional progress, commitment and contribution to help and support his fellow group members too.

After losing weight, lockdown struck, and Adam found it challenging to stay motivated and inspired.

He says: "It's important to me to speak up about the mental health side of being unhappy with your weight, especially as a man.

"No matter where you are, whether you've not yet found the courage to begin or whether you have and you've hit a bump in the road, it can feel overwhelming.

"During lockdown, I began to beat myself up because I had fallen off-track after years of dedication and effort and was beginning to feel how I remembered feeling when I very first joined at 23 stone.

"I began to feel like I was on my own again - I knew I wasn't but this is something many people reading this will be able to relate to, whether slimming or not after the pandemic.

"With the way I was feeling and the challenges lockdown brought to us all, the weight started to creep back on.

"The worrying thing is that because I was so trapped in my own head, I didn't really care at that point, if I put weight on because I felt like I'd lost my previous healthier routine, which I'd worked so hard for and had come to love and rely on.

"If you would have said to 23 stone me that I'd love going to the gym, even miss going, I'd have laughed at you - but when my physical Slimming World group and the gyms closed too that was a really hard time for me.

"I am so glad that our physical Slimming World group has been able to re-open at Astbury Village Hall in Congleton, as I was terrified, I'd end up back where I started if lockdown continued for much longer.

"The accountability of meeting with my group in person, of seeing my consultant Laura every week, is second-to-none.

"After months of negative self-talk and feeling really low, that feeling, the inspiration and motivation that we all get from being in group together has really turned things around for me yet again.

"There is so much more to losing weight than the food and getting more active - the mind and psychology has a lot to answer for.

"My self-confidence is back after having eight weeks of consistent losses and it's helped my state of mind massively. I feel so much more positive for my future again.

"I, like many slimmers am my own worst enemy when it comes to losing weight. After years of low self-esteem, negative experiences like worrying I was so heavy I'd break my own bed, being bullied and not feeling happy in my own skin, it can be challenging to break that negative cycle, so I really can't thank Slimming World enough.

"Yet again my group has given me the boost I really needed and the benefits have been priceless for me.

"I've lost 1st 5lb after being back together with me group in the last two months. I've met more new people who are making that brave first step to join us in our group on a Thursday morning and feeling like those shackles of negativity, regret, guilt and shame are well and truly off! I've got my self-belief back and it feels so good.

"The great thing about Slimming World's Extra Easy Food Optimising plan is that it really can work for everyone.

"Loads of people in group are like Jamie Oliver's in the kitchen but there are also people like me who don't know a hob from a hob knob biscuit!

"The meal plans and recipes are easy to follow and it has given me the freedom and encouragement to try new things. If I don't know how to do something I can ask my friends in group and give it a whirl.

"I especially love Slimming World's 'speed' free foods. These are totally unlimited foods that have an extra benefit as the more of these you choose, the more weight you lose because they are the lowest in calories.

"That means I know I'm filling up on the right stuff without needing to count calories at all as they've done it for me, all whilst boosting my weight-loss too. You really do learn a lot about food and nutrition over your time with the group, it's brilliant and educates you for life.

"There's nothing better, when trying to lose weight than eating a family-friendly meal that can satisfy even the biggest appetites and feeling full.

"Knowing it will boost my weight loss, protect all my hard work and help me move forward is a huge bonus.

"Joining Slimming World has given me a new-found confidence. I can now keep up with my little boy and find I can complete a full day's work with energy to spare, whereas 23 stone me was left feeling spent with nothing at all left.

"We're all in this together, it really isn't a women's place, it's open to everyone and it's changes my life forever. I am looking forward to a healthier, happier future and am engaged to be married later on this year.

"I feel happy knowing I won't have any trouble finding the right outfit for the occasion and know instead of feeling self-conscious on the day, I'll feel on top of the world, marrying the love of my life and starting an entire new chapter for our family life together and I can't wait.

"Come and join us, Laura and our group will be there every step of the way for you. She'll never give up on you, as long as you don't give up on yourself.

"Know that as a man you deserve to be happy and if you don't feel confident, if you feel losing weight and having body confidence is impossible, I promise you it isn't. It's within reach and it is more than possible with our group - come and slim with us."

Laura's group currently meets every Thursday at Astbury Village Hall in Congleton at 9am, 10am, 11am, 6pm and 7pm.

New and returning members are all welcome to pre-book their place and join at 11am or 7pm each week.

Simply text, call or WhatsApp Laura on 07595 535816 for an informal chat, for offers or to book yourself a place.