A man who once weighed more than 19 stone says he has transformed his life with the help of a weight loss group.
Paul Spandler described himself as "the funny fat man" when he joined Slimming World in November 2024.
Despite trying numerous diets in the past, including losing eight stone in his 40s, he always regained the weight.
Mr Spandler, from Norwich, has since lost six stone and seven pounds.
He said: "I was the funny fat man. But deep down, I was unhappy. Now I'm finally living my life.
"It became a cycle of eating because I was unhappy, and unhappy because I was eating."
A pivotal moment came when his GP told him he was morbidly obese and referred him to Slimming World.
Mr Spandler said: "It got to me, I'd had enough.
"I knew I had to not only lose the weight but keep it off for good this time."
Despite initial nerves, Mr Spandler found the group environment welcoming and supportive.
He said: "Excited, but nervous, I wondered if it would be judgmental or difficult to follow.
"That first group was a relief, everyone was so supportive."
Mr Spandler didn’t make drastic changes to his meals but focused on smarter food choices.
He said: "I started eating more fruit and salad and had better awareness of portion sizes, and a significant shift away from high-fat extras like mayonnaise.
"I used to go through a big jar a week, now it's a rare treat."
The biggest change, he said, was in his thinking around food.
He now sees things like chocolate, cake, and crisps as occasional treats rather than daily habits.
He said: "It's not about cutting things out.
"It's about understanding them.
"I don't feel deprived, I feel in control."
He added that regular group meetings and mid-week encouragement from his Slimming World consultant kept him on track.
He said: "It's like a weekly hug and a pat on the back, losing weight isn't just physical, it's also emotional and mental.
"Having people who truly get that makes all the difference."
Reaching his target weight has brought significant health improvements.
His asthma has eased, knee pain has reduced, and everyday tasks like climbing stairs or running for the bus are no longer daunting.
Mr Spandler said: "I've even taken up pilates three to four times a week, which would have been unthinkable before.
"I still sometimes see the old me in the mirror, but then I remember, I'm a size 30 waist.
"I haven't been that since I was about 15 years old."
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