A Co Offaly student has won the 'Unislimmer of the Year' 2005 award.
John Conroy (18), from Tullamore, weighed 146kg (22st 7lb) when he started the slimming plan in February 2004. He has since lost 38kg (6st).
He said as a child he was never big, but his weight started to fluctuate during his teen years. He never paid any attention to it even though it was getting worse. It was not until Christmas 2003 and New Year 2004, that he started to think about how serious it had become.
"I could only shop in the one shop in town as it was the only shop that did my size (48in trousers). That's when I made up my mind, and a friend and I decided to join Unislim," said Mr Conroy.
In his first week he lost 3½kg (7lb), and he has had continued success since. He had some ups and downs, but the class leader was encouraging every week and he realised there was a light at the end of the tunnel.
The student was among 12 finalists who collectively lost over 362kg (57st), including husband and wife team Geraldine and Bobby Byrne from Arklow, Co Wicklow, who lost 50kg (7st 8lb) between them.