Slimming World’s Man of the Year will return to Leeds festival 14 stone lighter

Aaron Walker has been crowned Slimming World’s Man of the Year 2023 (Image: Slimming World/Aaron Walker) A Doncaster music lover has been crowned Slimming World’s Man of the Year 2023 after losing an incredible 14 stone. Aaron Walker, 27, realised he had to lose weight after having an “exhausting” experience at Leeds Festival with his friends in 2021. When getting ready for the festival he realised his size was holding him back as “the button had popped off” his shorts. The struggles continued when at the festival he felt himself “gasping for breath” and Mr Walker even missed one of his favourite bands who were performing as he “felt self-conscious” all day. Aaron Walker at Leeds Festival in 2021 (Image: Slimming World / Aaron Walker) The finance worker explained the difficulties he had faced with his everyday lifestyle. He said: “I’d always had a problem with my weight, even as a child. When I was younger my parents had to put a padlock on our treats cupboard because otherwise I would eat the lot.” At university, Aaron found being independent meant he could “eat whatever” he wanted to and because of this freedom, he often ate takeaways. After joining a Slimming World group in Hull in 2021, he learned to build healthier habits around food and became more active in his lifestyle. He describes his time within the weight-loss group as “part of a big family”. When he started a new job in Doncaster, he moved from Pauline Collins’ Hull Slimming World group,  to Dawn-Lisa Oxborough’s Doncaster group.  He describes his journey and learning to cook as “like therapy”. Aaron explained: “I soon learned how to recreate my favourite takeaway dishes like Chinese chicken. The support I got at the group helped me to see that food isn’t the enemy.” At Aaron’s heaviest when he joined the group, he weighed 26 stone. (Image: Slimming World/Aaron Walker) Aaron Walker, 27, has lost an incredible 14 stone (Image: Slimming World/Paul Buller) From initially weighing 26 stone and 12.5 pounds, Mr Walker is now 12 stone and 10.5 pounds. His waist size has also dramatically dropped from 48 inches to 32 inches. Since he has also improved his fitness levels he has completed the Leeds Half Marathon which he describes as an “amazing achievement”. Returning to Leeds Festival this year will be a turning point for the weight loss champion. He added: “It feels like my life is just beginning – and I can’t wait to see what’s next for me. Heading back to Leeds Fest is a big tick off the list though!” Slimming World was founded in 1969 and works with the NHS, Public Health England, The Royal College of Midwives and others to help shape the future of weight management in the UK.