Letting agent Harry Cox, 27, who weighed 25st 6.5lbs at his heaviest, has dropped 14 stone and been named Slimming World's Man of the Year 2026 after hiking 3,560ft up Snowdon.
From Driving to Climbing Snowdon
At his heaviest, Harry used to drive to appointments which were a two-minute walk away because the journey would leave him exhausted. Now weighing 11st 1lb, he has embraced an outdoor lifestyle. He said: “When I climbed Snowdon, I thought about how far I'd come, not just physically but mentally too. I thought about the person who was driving two minutes down the road because he couldn't face the walk.
“If I could go back and tell that version of me one thing, it would be that you are capable of so much more than you realise.”
Diet Transformation
Before losing weight, Harry would start the day with a fried breakfast or bacon sandwiches on white bread, then eat fried crispy chicken sandwiches, crisps and chocolate. For dinner he would have a kebab or a lasagne ready meal with garlic bread. After joining Slimming World, he swapped his menu for overnight oats, fat-free yoghurt, strawberries and blueberries, followed by a tuna or chicken salad wrap for lunch. He also extended his exercise with long walks along the seafront near his home.
Harry decided to join Slimming World with his mother, Sarah, 54, in Holland-on-Sea, Essex. Sarah also lost 4st. Harry said: “I didn't want a quick fix. I knew I could be successful because mum had been a member before and that we would support each other.”
Support from Slimming World
He added: “I was still eating the foods I loved, just learning how to make them work for me. Friday night kebab night is still a non-negotiable in our house and my Slimming World group showed me I could still have this – the difference is now I make it myself using lean meat, spices and loads of fresh ingredients. I never feel like I'm missing out and that's a huge reason why I've been able to keep going.”
Harry reflected: “When I look back at how I used to live, it honestly feels like a different life. I was exhausted all the time, physically and mentally. My weight affected every decision I made, even the simplest things.
“As a letting agent, I'd sometimes have appointments that were literally a couple of minutes away on foot, but I'd get in the car because the walk felt too much. I'd be worried about getting out of breath and embarrassed if someone saw me struggling. Looking back now, that's quite difficult to admit, but it shows just how much my weight had taken over my life.
“I'd convinced myself that was normal. I'd accepted feeling uncomfortable, tired and limited. The truth is I wasn't really living; I was just getting through each day.”
Encouraging Other Men
In recognition of his transformation, Harry was named Slimming World's Man of the Year 2026. He is passionate about encouraging more men to join. He said: “I know some men can feel nervous about walking through those doors thinking it’s not for them and I completely understand that because I wondered if I'd fit in too. What I found though, was a group of people who understood exactly how I was feeling. Nobody judged me. Nobody criticised me. They just supported me.
“There aren't many places where men can openly talk about struggling with their weight, confidence or relationship with food. Slimming World gave me that safe space, encouragement and a group of people who genuinely wanted me to succeed.
“At group we would share what events or challenges we had coming up and what we would do to stay on track. It was that accountability and forward planning that made such a difference each week. If sharing my story helps even one man realise he doesn't have to do this on his own, then that's something I'm incredibly proud of.”
