63kg weight loss is father and son’s gain

A father and son literally made it a ‘family affair’ after losing a total of 63kg in less than two years.

Mon, 01 Jun, 2015 - 01:00

Elaine Keogh

Retail security guard John Duffy, 43, admitted he was terrified before he went into his first weight loss group meeting but “I was delighted when I left it”. His waist had measured 46 inches, and now it is a healthy 36 inches.

John Jnr before his weight loss

John had a harsh wake-up call from his consultant, who told him he had to lose weight to avoid losing the power in his leg.

John Jnr after his weight loss

“I knew I had to lose weight,” said John. “I had problems with my leg and was losing the power in it. When the doctor told me that it was down to me, I knew I had to do something.”

He joined Slimming World. In the first week, John lost 3kg. “More or less straight away, my leg got better,” he said. “I was able to walk again and I have gone from being able to walk for 10 minutes to be able to walk for two hours or more. I run too.”

John and his wife Pamela visit his family in Blanchardstown every week and his father John, 67, a retired groundsman, noticed his son was getting thinner. John Sr was once a member of the Clonliffe Harriers athletic club in Dubiln and has five marathons under his belt.

John Snr before his weight loss

“Over time I had put on weight and when I joined Slimming World in March 2014 I was just under 18 stone [114kg],” said John Sr. “The first week I lost 10 pounds. I always looked forward to the meetings and weigh-ins and I did not find it hard to lose weight.

John Snr after his weight loss

“When you are nearly 18 stone you feel like everybody is looking at you. I am a different man now, I feel like a different person and I would tell anyone thinking of losing weight that they can do it but it is up to them to make the effort.”

John Sr went from 17 stone 10lbs to 13 stone, while his son dropped from 18 stone to 13 stone.

A Slimming World spokesperson said: “John senior has lost nearly one pound for every year of his life. Both are an inspiration and they are very helpful and supportive to others.