him.

He recently received the coveted position of the winner of the Prison Fellowship Slimathon. He lost 19 pounds in two weeks.

The fund raising event, held from May 1 to May 15, helps support the children of prisoners. The money raised through private donations will be used to buy school supplies for these children for the new school year.

Mr. Wilson said the event also helped him. It prompted him into "making this lifestyle changes''.

"Everyone in my family has been 50 pounds overweight,'' he noted.

Now he walks for a half an hour every morning and evening. He has also changed the way that he eats, skipping supper and focusing on a vegetarian-styled diet.

Mr. Wilson said: "It takes discipline and it also helps to rely on spiritual help.'' So far he said he felt good and planned on losing an average of five to ten pounds a month.

As summer has begun Mr. Wilson said he considered this the perfect time to jump start fitness.

He is confident that he will continue with the new programme.

And he encouraged others to start a sensible exercise programme because of its many benefits.

"It lowers blood sugar, blood pressure amongst other things,'' Mr. Wilson said.

"I have a three-year-old son and before I could hardly play with him for an hour because I got tired quickly,'' he added. "But now I am developing the energy to go on and on.'' New slant on life: Alvin Wilson was the winner of the Prison Fellowship Annual Slimathon.