A TAVISTOCK resident has been presented with the prestigious Man of the Year for 2008 award by Slimming World after losing more than four stone. Eric Pinch joined the Tavistock group in October last year after a lifetime of his weight yo-yoing! At the age of 22 Eric said his weight was just under 12st, then when he married at 26 he was in the region of 16st. He has always enjoyed cycling and football but when he left the Prison Service in 2003 Eric took a more sedentary lifestyle, driving for Yelverton Taxis. In 2005 he took over the firm and a health scare literally stopped him exercising. The weight piled on — it was then that Eric decided something had to be done. After reading stories in the Times of women and men who had lost weight with Slimming World he was inspired. Eric said: 'It took a lot of courage to walk into the Tavistock group and face 25 to 30 ladies but my fears were unfounded. 'Tracy [consultant for the Tavistock group] could not have been more helpful explaining all about free food, healthy extras and sins.' Ereic said he knew he had put on a lot of weight but was shocked to find the scales put him at 17st and four and a half pounds. However, things soon began to change once he started his new regime and within weeks the weight began to drop off. Eric said he now feels fitter and healthier and has much more energy. He said: 'Prior to 2005 it was my ambition to cycle from one end of the country to the other via the National Network. It was a dream that I thought I would never fulfil. But after Christmas as the weight continued to come off my thoughts of doing so returned.' Eric will fly to Aberdeen in July and will cycle to John O'Groats and on to Newcastle. The route will zig-zag over Scotland and the North East. 'I plan to cover the second leg in the summer of 2009 and the final leg in 2010. 'It will keep me focused to continue to lose weight and keep it off,' said Eric. 'There is a little way further before I reach my personal achievement target but I am sure I will succeed.'
