Shedding 11 stone has saved my life and I feel fantastic (From Worcester News)

Shedding 11 stone has saved my life and I feel fantastic

7:20am Wednesday 9th January 2013 in News By James Connell

A MAN who was morbidly obese says shedding more than a third of his body weight saved his life.

John Ambler, of Mayfield Road, Rainbow Hill, Worcester, weighed 30 stone but has lost 11 stone since attending Slimming World classes in Perdiswell from October 2011.

The 55-year-old said a driving ban and a bike accident triggered his desire to lose weight and, since then, his waist size has dropped from 60 inches to less than 40 inches.

Mr Ambler suffered the bike accident in July 2011 and needed to have a plate fitted in his wrist. Before he had the operation, medics discovered he had a heart condition which he blames on years of alcohol abuse.

Mr Ambler, director of Abacus Accountants, said: “It was life or death – I was morbidly obese. But now my heart is getting better.

“It did save my life. I don’t want to sound dramatic but it did.”

At Slimming World he learned tips about what kinds of foods to eat and about the importance of reducing his portion size. The former publican has not had a drink of alcohol for the last 18 months and says he does not miss drinking.

He said: “At 30 stone I found everything difficult to do – walking, talking, exercise, the whole lot.”

Mr Ambler said it was much about his thought process.

He is now the same weight he was when he was 30 and has been attending PF2 health club in Worcester three times a week.

He said: “I want to help other people really. I always thought I was weak-willed and couldn’t do it. It was the time I sat down, before I started slimming, that was the key to it all.

“A lot of people go to Slimming World just after Christmas on a whim like they go the gym on a whim and they leave in January.

“All these people make New Year’s resolutions but they don’t keep it up.

“I prepared myself first. I feel fitter, I have tones more energy and a lot more confidence.

“I have chucked away so many clothes you just would not believe.”