SUPER slimmer Rob Oldham is enjoying the sights and sounds of Delamere Forest from his mountain bike after losing a whopping 12 stone.

Rob, 36, from Oakmere, weighed more than 30 stone before he shed the pounds with the Delamere Slimming World group, and says his weight loss has changed his life.

“I feel like a new man since losing weight,” said Rob, who has been crowned Delamere’s Slimming World Greatest Loser.

“I look so different that people I haven’t seen for a while often can’t believe I’m the same person.

“For me it’s the change on the inside that’s been the biggest – I’m happier, healthier and much more confident now.”

Rob weighed 30 stone four pounds when he joined the Delamere group, which is run by Claire Dawson, in October 2013, and has since dropped to 17 stone 12 pounds.

He had tried many ways to lose weight, including hypnosis, special diets and even appetite suppressors given by his doctors.

Sometimes he lost weight, but it always came straight back on, usually even more than before.

“Before I lost the weight I hid behind a big bubbly personality, and tried to avoid drawing attention to myself,” he said.

“I’d pretend it didn’t bother me that I was bigger than most other people, but that was far from the truth.

“I hated shopping for clothes because I couldn’t buy them from high street shops.”

After seeing a family member have success with Slimming World Rob decided to join the Slimming World group at Delamere Community Centre.

“Walking through those doors was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done,” he said.

“I was embarrassed about my size, and scared the scales couldn’t weigh me. I needn’t have worried, as everyone there was so friendly, especially my Consultant Claire Dawson.

“Since then I’ve made so many friends at the group, and don’t think I could have done it without their support each week.”

Rob has lost 12 stone five pounds and gone from a 52-inch to 38-inch waist.

He is also more active now, and regularly rides his mountain bike through Delamere Forest.

“The changes we’ve seen in Rob are incredible,” said Claire.

“I hope his success will inspire other people in the area who would like to lose weight by forming new lifestyle habits and become happier and healthier to take action.”

For details about Claire’s group ring 078177 25939.