A LORRY driver from Winnington whose weight nearly cost him his livelihood has undergone a staggering body transformation.

Nicky Briers works night shifts delivering fresh bread all over the UK for Roberts Bakery in Northwich.

At his HGV driver’s yearly medical at the end of 2022, the 50-year-old was told his blood pressure had become a serious issue and was told to take time off work.

“I was at the point where I could’ve lost my licence,” he said.

“I really needed to do something to get it under control.”

He then weighed 20 stone, nine pounds, and struggled to exercise.

He’d even given up his hobby - metal detecting - as he struggled bending down and his knees gave him a lot of pain.  

Northwich Guardian: As a night shift lorry driver, Nicky's food options were very limited, which he says contributed to his weight gainAs a night shift lorry driver, Nicky's food options were very limited, which he says contributed to his weight gain (Image: Nicky Briers)

The dad-of-two joined a Slimming World class at Delamere Community Centre in January 2023, dropping 11 pounds in the first week.

Now, in little more than a year, he’s managed to shed a whopping six stone, one pound, making him 14 stone, eight pounds, which he says is ‘pretty much where I want to be’.

Nicky said: “I’m in the best shape I’ve been in since my early 20s.

“Losing so much in the first week, just from making a few small changes, was a huge motivator. It made me think, ‘wow, this actually works’.

“When I failed my medical and was told to take time off work, it was a pretty big scare. I didn’t even know my blood pressure was high.

Northwich Guardian: Nicky says he hasn't been in such good shape since his early 20sNicky says he hasn't been in such good shape since his early 20s (Image: Nicky Briers)

“The job doesn’t lend itself to a healthy lifestyle. It’s quite sedentary, and eating well can be really difficult.

“Service stations are the real problem. They’re all McDonald’s and other fast-food places.

“There’s nowhere to buy healthy food, and even if I went out my way to find somewhere, the chances are you couldn’t park a HGV outside it.

“The biggest change I’ve made is preparing my own food and taking it with me. I don’t take money with me now either, so the temptation isn’t there.”

Nicky admits walking through the door of his first Slimming World class was a struggle.

He added: "When I saw it was all women, I did walk back out again, pretending to be on my phone.

Northwich Guardian: Nicky was nervous before his first Slimming World Class assuming there'd be few men, but says found it 'very welcoming'Nicky was nervous before his first Slimming World Class assuming there'd be few men, but says found it 'very welcoming' (Image: Nicky Briers)

“I went back, and they were very welcoming. Julie my consultant is amazing. She’s one of the reasons I’ve stuck it.

“It’s less about being on a diet as changing the way you cook. It’s about changing little things.

“I’ve really got into cooking. I love making curries now, and the family all eat what I eat.

“I did stop drinking for a while too. I couldn’t drink much anyway because of my job, but the odd pint here and there soon adds up.

“I also love metal detecting, but I used to struggle with my knees and bending down. I had to stop, but once the weight started coming off, I got back into it in a big way.”

Nicky’s Slimming World consultant, Julie Large, said: “Men are more reluctant to come to meetings than women, but as Nicky shows, there’s no need to be.

“He's gone from snapping up the odd pie whenever he visits a service station to taking healthier options with him.

“He’s a shining example to all men about the kind of weight loss they can achieve with the right support.

“We couldn’t be more proud of him.”

Julie runs meeting on Thursday mornings at Delamere Community Centre on Thursdays at 8am, 9.30am, and 11.30am.