MEN on a weight loss programme have been taking their sons along to sessions to mark International Men’s Day.

Participants from Wigan Council’s Trim Down Shape Up have been encouraged to bring their sons and grandsons along to sessions all this week as part of the programme’s project Working Together for Men and Boys to mark the day.

The sessions focused on fun physical activities for the dads and their sons and saw them go head to head in various exercise drills.

Julian Butterworth who joined Trim Down Shape Up to improve his health for his son, Thomas when he found he couldn’t fit comfortably into an XXL sweatshirt and was struggling to play football with him.

He has lost 17 per cent of his bodyweight and has been able to start running again, completing several 5k runs and is hoping to go on to 10ks and even half marathons in the future.

His son has also seen the benefits of what Trim Down Shape Up can do for men as he has been able to do more physical activity with his dad, most important of which, is football.

The 42-year-old, from Leigh, said: “I’ve discovered that if I put my mind to it I can change my eating habits without it being a sacrifice and I genuinely enjoy eating better.

“I also discovered how blindingly ignorant I was regarding food, calories, drinks, sugar et cetera, and how negligent I had been regarding the health risks, both present and in the future, of my previous diet.

“I had a lot of weight to give, but to be honest the feel good factor of doing regular exercise and having a laugh with the other guys is as valuable as anything. Don’t set big targets; just come down and enjoy yourself without making it a big deal and you will start to feel better.”

To find out more, call 01942 496496.