This lad was huge before he started at our Gym

Nidge

When Lee Goodrick was told his 48in-waist trousers would have to be specially ordered, he knew things had to change.

Joseph Watts

The hairdresser from Mansfield weighed 19.5 stone and rarely did any exercise.

He said: "When I heard the shop assistant say they didn't stock my size, I just thought 'I am very big'.

"I was really fat. It's as simple as that. And I knew something had to be done."

Mr Goodrick, 24, went to his local gym. A year and seven-and-a-half stone later, he was down to a 38in waist.

It was then he saw Olympic runner Paula Radcliffe on television, and felt inspired.

He said: "I just thought, if she can do it so can I, and so I found a personal trainer and started running seriously."

Mr Goodrick competed for the first time in Nottingham's Experian Robin Hood half-marathon this year and today runs the 13-mile distance in 91 minutes.

After seeing his progress, staff at the gym, Fitness First in Mansfield, nominated him for a national prize.

And on Friday he found out he had won the UK's New You Achievement Award.

He beat competition from hundreds of others to become one of 12 finalists from 153 Fitness First clubs, and judges picked him to take home the top prize.

At a London ceremony, model Nell McAndrew presented him with a trip for two to Australia and lifetime membership of all Fitness First clubs.

He said: "When I found out I was going to London I just screamed. I couldn't believe it.

"When I was told people were putting me forward I thought they were taking the mick. But when they read my name out as the winner and Nell McAndrew gave me a hug I started to cry.

"Before I began training I would get out of breath walking up the stairs at work. Now I can run for hours."

Mr Goodrick will appear in a TV advert next year and be interviewed on breakfast television.

His running trainer is Eddie Gration, himself a former county champion cross-country runner.

He said Mr Goodrick had shown commitment and deserved his award.

"He's got tremendous determination, which is growing every day and every time he runs. He's the kind of person that gets upset if he can't run or can't compete and I even have had to hold him back sometimes.

"But he is setting an example for people. He lost a lot of weight and is becoming a competitive runner - he's changed his way of thinking."

Just to add he's been contacted by NIKE to advertise some of their products.

Nick500

i like hearing about stuff like this. through exercise his whole life is transformed

Nick

Nidge

And good eating Nick.