Staring at himself in the mirror, Charles Arundell could not stop the tears. Tipping the scales at almost 20st, he knew he had reached the point of no return.
Tormented by thoughts of ending it all, Charles, 19, went to his GP. On the way out, he spotted a leaflet for Why Weight? – a service helping people in the city with a BMI of 25 and above.
One five-minute phone-call later, Charles had arranged to go to a first meeting close to his home in Bricknell Avenue, west Hull. Within eight months and by keeping within his calorie allowance and allowing himself one "cheat night" a week to enjoy his pizza, Charles was 13st 1lb.
"There are so few groups for people my age and this was perfect," he said. "At first, I was the quiet kid in the corner, but then I became the star speaker of the group every week."
Why Weight? is a free programme run by City Health Care Partnership to help people aged 16 and older with a Hull postcode lose weight. It features weekly group sessions, hints and tips and free recipe cards every week.
Charles is now studying interactive media at college, goes to the gym and has turned his life around.
"I had always been told by other people I needed to lose weight," he said. "It only worked when I did it for myself.
"My grandmother had died and I was drinking heavily, ten or 11 pints four or five nights a week. I rarely went outside, only to pick up my takeaway or get more alcohol.
"I didn't have a job, I was sitting watching crap on TV and what kind of life was that?
"Now, I'm at college and I'm full of energy. And I don't find it that hard to keep it off. Even if I put on a couple of pounds, I'm absolutely devastated, so I know I'll never get back to the stage I was at again."
Call 01482 247111 to find out more about Why Weight?
Slimming World Lesley Slater lost almost 4st after a neighbour made a less-than-flattering comment about her holiday photographs. That was 25 years ago and the 68-year-old has maintained her size 10-12 figure after keeping an eye on her Syns and eating healthier food on the Slimming World programme.
"Here's the secret to keeping it off," says Mrs Slater. "Go to the meetings every week."
Mrs Slater, of Ryde Street, off Beverley Road, attends meetings at Endsleigh Centre in Beverley Road with leader Kirsty Powdrell every Wednesday night.
"You can get motivation from the group and I pick up new recipes to try," she says. "It might sound silly because it's a nice social event, too, and there's a group of us who go out afterwards on the last Wednesday of the month.
"It's not a diet, it's just healthy eating and a healthier way of cooking. You can still eat the things you want to but in moderation. If I feel like a bit of chocolate, I'll have a hot chocolate instead.
"You can still eat really lovely food, but it's all about how you cook it. If you want to lose weight and keep it off, you need to put your mind to it and you need willpower to stay on it, and that's where the group comes in for me. You think if other people can do it, so can you."
Visit slimmingworld.com to find out more about Slimming World and the groups in East Yorkshire.
Weight Watchers When her father was diagnosed with cancer, Alex Hook made a promise to him that she would look after her health. Now, almost 8st lighter, Alex, 35, is as good as her word.
Mum-of-three Alex, of Hotham Road North, lost weight after joining Weight Watchers in January 2013 after a lifelong battle with her weight.
"I would say anyone can do it," she says. "Whether you've got three or four pounds to lose or 10lb, it's still a massive journey and my story shows people can do it."
Alex attends the Weight Watchers group in Bricknell Avenue and follows the ProPoints plan, where food is given a value and members stay within their allowance. No food is forbidden, something Alex takes advantage of to enjoy her treats once in a while.
"The thing I like about the diet is nothing is off-limits," she says. "You can eat anything you want."
Alex says the support of Weight Watchers leader Jo Barr has been instrumental in her success.
"She keeps me on track, she texts me almost every day and she helps me when I'm having a bad day," she says.
"I go to the gym, too, and that has helped. Before, I was so ashamed of how I looked, I wouldn't go to school to pick up my children and would just sit in the car and wait for them. Now, I just feel amazing and my confidence is unbelievable. I'm a better person.
"Thankfully, my dad is doing absolutely fantastic and when I see him now, he always remarks on how I've kept my promise to him."
Visit weightwatchers.co.uk to find out about the Weight Watchers plan and details of groups near you.
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