Martin weighs in with title

Martin Barnett is shadow of the man he was just a few months ago — and he's delighted

The 46-year-old music teacher has lost four stone and five pounds and has been given the Man of the Year title by his local slimming club.

Martin, who is 6ft 7in tall, weighed in at 23st 12lb in January but now tips the scales at 19st 7lb.

He said: "I hated being overweight and I did try to do something about it, I'd try to watch what I ate but I'd never lose much weight — if any.

"I'd always thought that slimming groups were just for women, but it was clear 'going it alone' didn't work for me and I needed some extra motivation."

Martin, from Bloxwich, put on weight after a hip injury. He joined the Great Wyrley Slimming World group and began following the Food Optimising healthy eating plan where slimmers can eat hearty meals and still lose his weight.