A PEEBLES-BASED businessman is using his own battle with weight gain to help others shed inches.

Since moving to new premises in Peebles in September, Mark Lafferty has seen the amount of clients on his books rise from 15 to 60.

His success was recognised at the recent Cambridge Weight Plan Annual Convention at the Hyatt Hotel in Liverpool. He picked up the Regional Incentive Award for the highest customer increase across Scotland in the last quarter.

He was also one of 10 winners out of 400 nominees for Above and Beyond award, which recognises outstanding customer service.

“I worked as an addiction therapist in Castle Craig Hospital, helping people battling alcoholism and drug addiction. But I couldn't control my own weight, so there is a bit of an irony there.” Mark Laffterty told the Peeblesshire News.

Through the Cambridge Weight Plan, the 43 year-old lost three stone in ten weeks and he is now helping others with their weight loss goals.

Mark said: “There was a gentleman who came into see me who was 72 years of age. He had suffered a a heart attack a couple of years ago. He couldn't work for a period of time and had piled on the weight. We were able to design a programme that helped him lose three stone.

“We are also helping a 79 year old woman who was on the verge of being given medication for Type 2 diabetes. But since her time with us, she has lost weight and is continuing to lose weight, and doesn't need medication.”

The Cambridge plan is made up of a flexible six-step programme that can adjust to different lifestyles and the calorie limit is between 440kcal to 1500+kcal per day.

“I teach mindfulness as a coping skill,” said Mark. I have had a number of clients say that has been a big help to them. I have been in their position. Like many people, my plate often had plenty of carbohydrates but little protein. It's about the right proportions, re-adjusting what you have grown accustomed to to ensure you get a healthy, balanced meal.

“It's about lifestyle changes as much as anything else. There are no short-sharp fixes.”