A MALDON man who lost 3st in his fifties is taking part in the virtual London Marathon – 35 years after he ran in the famous race the first time round.

Fifty-eight-year-old Paul Foster has kept himself fit in lockdown with this and other virtual challenges, including the virtual Kilimanjaro climb for the NHS. His efforts have seen him walking miles every day.

Paul, who lost his excess weight over five months after joining a local Slimming World group and has now maintained the loss for more than 18 months, told how keeping active during lockdown has helped maintain both his physical and mental wellbeing.

He said: "People might think commuting into London is tedious, but I found I really missed it. The activity got me out of the house and kept me focussed in a positive way."

Paul enjoyed an active lifestyle when he was young and completed the London Marathon in its early days, running it as an army reservist in 1985.

He said: "I know how difficult it is to get a place now, so when the chance to do it virtually came up, I jumped at it. My knees aren't as good as they used to be, so I walk more than run, but I can keep going and it's great. I'm fitter now in my fifties than I was in my forties."

For Paul, the decision to lose the weight came when he knew he was to become a grandfather. He found the Slimming World way of eating suited him.

He said: "I can eat normal, healthy meals and it's sustainable. In fact, when I go away on holiday I like coming back and getting back to my healthy food. One of my pitfalls before was red wine – now I still have a glass sometimes, but it is controlled."

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Paul decided to become a Slimming World consultant himself last November and now runs the town's Saturday morning group at Maldon Football Club in Park Drive. Throughout the pandemic Paul supported the group's members to keep on track with weekly meetings on Zoom. He has now opened the group meetings at the football club again with full Covid-safe measures in place.

He said: "Everyone is really glad to be back. People are losing weight again and making real progress.

"It's been a difficult time but the members are back and supporting each other."

To find out more about Paul's Slimming World group or to book attendance at one of the sessions, call him on 07900 570262 or find details of the full range of groups in the area by visiting the Slimming World website.