FLOWER MOUND - Walking off a plane and into welcoming arms is something Robert Enrieu wasn't able to do for 20 years since he couldn't fly.
"Just being able to sit in a seat alone would have been absolutely impossible," he said.
England's popular weight loss club called "Slimming World" helped Enrieu lose 350 pounds. At 6'3, Enrieu once weighed 583 pounds. Pictures of himself at his old weight are reminders of what the doctors told him, he said.
"There's no way I am ever going back to the way I was because if I did I'm just signing my own death certificate," he said.
Enrieu had a heart condition. Even after losing 100 pounds, doctors told him he wouldn't live seven more months if he didn't continue to lose. Enrieu said he was determined to live for his two children, who were constantly teased about his obesity.
After trying countless diets, Enrieu decided to give it another go after noticing a co-worker's weight loss while on the Slimming World program. He lost 350 pounds in two years.
Roberto and Rebecca Wheatley flew in from the United Kingdom as part of a promotional campaign. While Slimming World is new to North Texas, it's been around England for 40 years.
"What you actually need is a good sensible plan where you can eat a lot and get support from a group," Mrs. Wheatley said.
She started the program after getting tired of telling fat jokes on the West End stage in London. The actress made a career playing the roles of "fat women."
But, after getting married, she said she couldn't bring herself to look at her wedding photos and decided to be honest with herself and admit she was really unhappy with tipping the scales at more than 300 pounds.
"I didn't want to be the fat mom picking up her boy," she said. "I didn't want to embarrass my son or my husband."
Yvonne Sanders, who heads up the Slimming World division in North Texas, gave News 8 a breakdown of the program.
"You can eat these meats in unlimited amounts: poultry as long as the skin is removed, fish - again - you can eat in unlimited amounts," she said. "Potatoes, pasta, rice, fruits and veggies - these are all foods you can eat in unlimited amounts, and this might seem controversial or contradictory to what you heard before."
The plan encourages eating carbohydrates as long as no fattening sauce is used. Sanders said the plan offers many recipes with low-calorie options rather than using butter and creme-based sauces.
Mrs. Wheatley said she never feels deprived, although sweet treats and fatty foods are greatly limited.
"They are allowed in moderation," Sanders said.
The plan dictates how many one can have in one day. For example, one can choose to drink a glass of wine with a meal and eat a small piece of chocolate.
"The best part is when I messed up I wasn't criticized," Mrs. Wheatley said. "I was asked did I enjoy it."
She dropped 170 pounds in two years and said going to support groups helped her the most.
Screams and cheers could be heard at at one support group in Flower Mound. Each week, the person who loses the most weight in one week is rewarded, making it an easier to weigh-in.
The plan costs $10 for the weekly visit with the group.
Alma Hall lost 26 pounds in three months.
"I eat regular food," she said. "I don't have to eat packaged. It's just regular food, and I just like that I don't ever feel like I'm watching it."
Counselors watch over them to keep everyone accountable.
"You know, they call you; they e-mail you," she said. "You see them. It's ongoing."
Enrieu is now training to run a marathon after shedding 350 pounds.
"It's real exciting because it is the easiest thing I've done," he said.
While he said it wasn't always easy, Enrieu suggested members hold on to one pair of "fat pants" for inspiration. His so-called fat pants had a 66-inch waist.
E-mail ddenmon@wfaa.com
