Slimmer motivated by death of his brother

The death of his brother at the age of 36 motivated a man to embark on a dramatic weight loss programme that saw him shed three stones.

Stuart Barnbrook, aged 35, of West Bromwich, was inspired to lose weight after his brother Simon died of a heart attack caused by high blood pressure. The father-of-two from Vicarage Road, said the devastating event shocked him into changing his own lifestyle and he reached his goal of 12 stones 5lbs in eight months.

"My brother's death was heartbreaking and I did not want to end up the same way," said Mr Barnbrook, who also had problems with high blood pressure.

"I have a son and daughter and, the way I was going, I thought I would not be much of a father figure to them."

Stuart and Simon's weight troubles stemmed from the death of their father from cancer when Stuart was just 12.

Simon became Stuart's surrogate father and the pair found themselves relying on a fast food diet.

Weight Watchers leader Pauline Homer said: "Growing up together Stuart and Simon ate a diet of junk food and both struggled with their weight."

Speaking about meeting his target, Mr Barnbrook, who works at Asda, said: "I feel like a completely different person.

"When I started the programme I worked out I was eating about double what I should be eating for my height.

"Now I look younger and I feel healthier. It has given me a lot more confidence.

"Before I used to struggle to find shirts that fit me but now I have had to get a completely new wardrobe."

Mrs Homer said she was really proud of Mr Barnbrook.

"Stuart has made a dramatic transformation from his 38 inch waist and is now a trim 32 inch waist," she said.

"His new trim figure enables him to coach an under-eights football team without getting out of breath.

"His health has shown a marked improvement with his blood pressure falling to a normal healthy rate."

The Weight Watchers group meets at Sandwell Primary Care Trust in West Bromwich at 5.30pm on Mondays, Walsall Rugby Club at 5.45pm on Tuesdays, and at Sports Academy Social Club in Tipton at 6 and 7.15pm.