Teacher weighing 24st misplaced half his physique weight and his family did not recognise him
Ray Brown ditched a whopping 11st 7lbs – half of his body mass – and now enjoys a kickabout with kids during break-time instead of shying away inside the classroom
A primary school teacher lost so much weight that his own family didn’t recognise him at his wedding vow renewal.
Ray Brown shed a whopping 11st 7lbs – half of his body mass – and now enjoys a kickabout with kids during break-time instead of shying away inside the classroom. Growing up in a Caribbean household meant tucking into huge meals “with all the trimmings” but he realised his eating was out of control when he hit 24-and-a-half stone.
Ray said: “As I gained weight, everything started to slow down. I’d get out of breath just going up the stairs, and my knees would creak and ache even on short walks – at my age, feeling like that wasn’t a good sign.”
The 40-year-old, of Wellingborough, Northants, started Slimming World after failing at diet trends like juices and meal replacement plans which just left him feeling hungry. His wife Amy encouraged him to sign up and his worries disappeared as soon as he walked through the door.
Ray said: “I thought I’d be the only man there and was worried my size would draw attention to me too. I couldn’t have been more wrong.
“The group environment was nothing like I had imagined. There was such a mix of people, and everyone was so welcoming.”
The key to his success was making weekly food plans and keeping a food diary to stay on track.
Ray said: “For the first time in years, I feel like a completely new version of myself. My own family didn’t recognise me at my and Amy’s wedding vow renewal last year.
“Seeing their reactions was a moment I’ll never forget, and it made me realise just how far I’d come. I no longer hide away in my classroom during breaks, and when I’m out on the playground I’ll even join in with the children playing football – without worrying about being in pain afterwards.
“I’m stepping into my 40s feeling stronger, healthier and more confident than I ever imagined possible.”
For the latest breaking news and stories from across the globe from the Daily Star, sign up for our newsletters.
