Despite a second national lockdown, slimmers in the Maldon area are refusing to let the 2020 stop them from sticking to their weight-loss goals – and a Southminster man has proved it by losing more than four stones.

Eddie Walsh, 55, from Southminster, who lost the weight during the first lockdown with Kay's Burnham-on-Crouch Slimming World group, said: "I wouldn't miss my group for the world. I was furloughed in March and was determined not to let it stop my weight loss journey so I combined my daily activity of cycling with good food choice with the support of my wife, Sandra, who is the cook in our house. It made sure I got to my target.

"My weight loss journey was too important for my furture health, wellbeing and happiness – the Food Optimising eating plan is fantastic, of course, it still amazes me that I can enjoy a curry and rice or fish and chips, but it's the support you get every week that really makes the difference.

"If you've had a good week everyone helps you celebrate and if you've had a bad week they help you get you back on track and remind you how far you've come. Knowing that our consultant Kay is there each week with a warm welcome – and a friendly face – no matter what, is an amazing feeling, because I know she cares about our weight loss just as much as we do. It's the ongoing commitment and care that helps you to succeed in your weight loss, where before I may have failed or given up."

Local Kay Driscoll, along with all the other consultants in the Maldon team, is still working hard to ensure Slimming World members get the support they need to lose weight in Lockdown Two – and wants to remind everyone that they don't have to wait until December to get their weight loss journey off to a flying start.

Just as when the pandemic struck in March, Slimming World consultants are not able to support their members in their usual venues at the moment, but are making sure members can still access the support they need from the safety of their own homes.

Kay, who runs groups in Burnham-on-Crouch, Danbury & Mayland, said: "When Slimming World re-opened their real life groups mid-August, we knew that around 72 per cent of the local population had gained weight and we had to be there to support our members and new members. It has never been so important to lose weight for our futures.

"Since being back in group our members have worked hard to lose weight."

And so news of a second national lockdown meant the local Slimming World needed to swing into action to quickly re-instate the virtual groups that had kept so many holding on to their weight loss journeys the first time round.

Kay added: Our Slimming World promise is to run our groups 52 weeks of the year to ensure members' slimming success. So when the new restrictions came into place we knew we had to go back to Slimming World at home.

"When members show their commitment by coming to the weekly group, we have to be there for them and give them the fantastic support that they've signed up for. Shutting down support is not an option for us. So, even though it is challenging we are here for our members virtually."

Anyone who wants to book a space at one of the local virtual groups can call Kay on 07889 143934 or visit the Slimming World website here for more information.