A FRONT-line NHS worker is celebrating his incredible lockdown weight loss achievement.

Winston Jones was thrilled to lose four and a half stone after walking through the doors of Sandycroft Slimming World Group earlier this year.

Winston, who works as a health care assistant at Liverpool Aintree Hospital, did not always have a problem with his weight, but that all changed after being made redundant in his thirties.

After losing all structure to his day, the weight started creeping on.

The now 56-year-old said: "Once I had one chocolate biscuit, I would have to have another. Once I had one bacon sandwich, I would need to have two. It was those feel good endorphins that were released that made me feel better during those times when I was out of work.”

Winston would later start a career in the NHS, a job that he loves with a passion. However, the weight never dropped off and gradually increased over the years until tipped the scales at over 16 stone.

During his shifts, Winston’s legs, feet and back were suffering due the 20,000 steps that he would often do in a working day due to the extra weight he was carrying.

He recalls: “I suffered first thing in the morning and after a day on shift. My feet were on fire, my legs and calves hurt so much. I also found that after a shift that required the use of a heavy x-ray gown for protection, my back was getting worse.

“I didn’t think that I was going to be able to continue working at the hospital.”

Winston tried to lose weight through traditional dieting - but eating salads every day left him “starving” and craving fattening foods even more.

On a weekend visit to see his daughter Lauren, who lives in Deeside, Winston confided how difficult he had been finding work while carrying the extra weight.

Lauren, who had previously been a member of a local Slimming World group, told Winston about the plan and the pair joined the local Sandycroft group in January 2020.

The pounds quickly dropped off, and Winston describes being “absolutely shocked” at losing 13lbs in just one week

Supported by his daughter, Winston continued to lose weight and attended the Saturday morning groups regularly – until coronavirus caused the nation to lock down.

In March 2020, just 12 weeks after Winston joined Sandycroft Slimming World, the national lockdown kicked in. Slimming World groups continued to support their members through groups online.

Winston joined the weekly sessions whilst continuing to work on the NHS front-line until in July 2020 he reached his target weight – having dropped four and a half stone.

As the coronavirus outbreak intensified during the summer months, Winston found his duties in Liverpool Aintree Hospital changed.

He said: “We were working longer shifts and were extremely front line in dealing with Covid patients. It was very hard, both physically and emotionally.

“In the past I would have turned to comfort food and eaten the chocolates and cakes that always appeared in the staff room from grateful families and colleagues. The breakfast bagels in the canteen would not have stood a chance!

“Now, I had a new knowledge of food that supplied that comfort feeling when you need a foody hug. If I had not lost weight at that point my legs back and feet would not have been able to cope with the extra work, I’m also physically stronger.”

Winston’s consultant, Kaye, spoke about how she couldn’t be prouder of what he has achieved.

She said: “As a Slimming World Consultant, supporting my members at Sandycroft Slimming World each week, I know how truly life-changing being at a healthy weight can be for someone – and for their whole family too. We know when people learn healthy habits around food and activity they pass them on to those around them too.

“As a Consultant, and as someone who has lost weight myself, I’ve learned that supporting people to lose weight is more than restricting unhealthy foods, banning adverts or simply telling people they should exercise more. We at Slimming World have always recognised that those who struggle with their weight need to be treated with compassion, understanding and care, and as well as the tools to make changes.

Slimmers meet at Sandycroft Community Centre every Saturday morning during pre-booked sessions running at 8am, 9.15am, 10.15am and 11.15am. Booking ahead is essential and social distancing will be maintained at all times.

For more information, call Kaye on 07908 848975.