Weight loss champion on track for Blaydon Races

A Northumberland man is on track to a healthier and happier lifestyle after shedding nearly 14 stone in ten months - and raising money for the Great North Air Ambulance Service.

Ben Grigg, 27, from Prudhoe, started dieting in September last year after his weight reached an obese 33 stone and his BMI (body mass index) was 62.

After religiously sticking to a healthy eating and exercise regime, Ben soon started to see and feel the benefits of his hard work, which further boosted his determination to lose more weight.

Ben said; “It’s a complete change of lifestyle and it was very hard adapting at first, you have to be 100 percent focused, motivated and determined 24/7.”

Taking that life-changing step, which now involves a healthy balanced diet, as well as visiting his local gym for a full body cardio and weights work-out four times a week, has resulted in Ben losing a staggering 13 stone and 8 1/2lbs.

Part of the weight loss was achieved by taking part in a competition organised by Ben’s employer - Jennings Motor Group.

Over a three month period, Ben was one of seven other participants across the group who took part in a weight loss competition.

Losing a staggering five stone resulted in Ben not only winning the competition, but also raising £365 for the company’s nominated charity – GNAAS.

At the end of the competition, the grand total raised by staff was £892 with a combined weight loss in excess of 15 stone.

Nas Khan OBE, Jennings Motor Group’s managing director, said; “I would like to congratulate every member of staff who took part in the fundraising competition, all participants did extremely well and boosted funds for our nominated charity. Ben should be immensely proud of his achievement, which has also raised money for a very worthy cause.”

The weight loss battle isn’t over for Ben, who currently weighs 19 stone 8 ½ lbs and a much improved BMI of 37.2 – and is determined to reach his target weight of 16 stone by the end of this year.

The Blaydon Race is a 5.6-mile athletics race from Newcastle upon Tyne to Blaydon. It was the inspiration for Dr James Dewar of Blaydon Harriers, who organised the first 24 races starting in 1981.