In January this year, keen golfer, Bob Earney, decided that his life needed to change. Following on from a major knee injury last summer, which saw him collapsing on the green in a club championship; he knew he had to lose weight and begin a fitness journey that has seen him shed a remarkable five stone. His goal now is to achieve 100lbs of weight loss by the late autumn, during which, he will be raising money for the

Somerset and Dorset Air Ambulance, who recently saved the life of one of the golf club’s Senior members.

With the help of local personal trainer, Karli Sawyer and his friends at Farrington Park, there has been no stopping Bob and he would now like to inspire others. He said: “Many people would like to improve their health, lifestyle and weight, and we hear that sitting around for a long time, especially on your own, is now considered to be the new smoking.

“It hasn’t always been plain sailing, but Karli kept encouraging me and supporting me through the ups and downs. Together, with the support and encouragement from

everyone, momentum grew – one of the nicest things that has happened is that I never knew I had so many friends, which has been quite humbling.

“After several years in the security services and ambulance service, I moved into advertising, marketing and PR. Many years of travelling up and down the country and a diet of fast food, staying in hotels, and very little exercise helped towards an

increasing waistband.

“For the last twelve years, this was accentuated by moving into the private hire taxi industry, sitting in the driver’s seat doing 40,000 miles a year with only golf for exercise.

“When I was at my fittest, I was 17.5 stone, and would like to return to that. I also want to limit the damage incurred to my knee and hopefully put off surgery.

“So many of the Farrington Park staff and members have been so supportive towards me, but my heartfelt thanks must go to Karli. She has been both professional and supportive and helped me in so many ways. I am so much fitter and toned, physically and mentally, that I feel I am floating on air from morning to night.

“My doctor has taken me off of blood pressure medication and although I have

suffered from anxiety and depression previously, I now focus more on the positives in life. I’d encourage anyone else who is thinking of making that first step to go for it!”