A father lost more than 20 STONE – so he could slim down in time to take his son to his first day of school and not embarrass him by being a fat dad.
Determined Matthew Thornton, 43, tipped the scales at a whopping 31st 10lb when his lad was just a toddler.
He decided he would spend the next few years on a crash diet so he would be in good shape when his lad Freddie started school.
Matthew realised his son would be embarrassed if his massive father dropped him off at the gates on his first day.
So he swapped crisps, biscuits and fizzy drinks for healthy food and exercise and in just over two years he now tips the scales at 11st 12lbs.
Proud Matthew, and his trim 28in waist, said he can now be a role model for his boy.
Super slimmer Matthew, who lives with his proud son and loving wife Angela, 37, said he realised his family life would suffer unless he shed the stones.
He said: “In 2013, my son was two years old. I knew he would be starting school in a couple of years and I didn’t want to be the fat dad.”
“I wanted to enjoy being around for as long as possible for Freddie and chasing around after him.”
“I knew it was likely I’d have a heart attack or something if I didn’t tackle it soon.”
Matthew’s waist measured 58in, and he knew something needed to change so he went to his GP and was referred to a weight loss service.
“People think I lost weight through eating nothing but a load of fruit and vegetables, but I’m not into all thatponcey food – vegetables, soup and that stuff.
“I like my spag bol and I still eat it. I just put less in my mouth. I would easily consume 5,000 plus calories a day.
“I would take a big bag of food with me to work. I wouldn’t do meals. I’d constantly be eating.
“I’d have half a dozen packets of crisps and the same number of cans of full-fat Coke, maybe packets of biscuits, too.
“At the height of the weight-loss I was getting around 1,200 calories down me.”
Along with his physical appearance Matthew, of Hull, East Yorks., said he is not being bothered as much by his asthma now.
And, Makro asssitant Matthew said things have changed at his work, he said: “I’m a lot more productive now. Before I’d sit and wait for customers.
“Now, I am more proactive and finding jobs to do around the store. I seem to have a lot more energy. The boss is really supportive and tells everyone how much weight I’ve lost.”
He has now slimmed so much, some friends do not recognise him.
Matthew added: “If people have not seen me for a few years, they end up walking straight past me.
“My lad was very young when I was at my heaviest, but he looks at old pictures of me and says, ‘That’s fat dad’.”
Inspirational Matthew even managed to quit smoking at the same time.
“Some people might think I was crazy for tackling the two together, but as I say is it’s all in the mind.”
Needless to say, he is not a fan of fad diets.
“If they work for you – great,” he said.
“But I don’t believe they’re necessary to lose weight. I proved that.”
Matthew said the weight-loss service that helped him slim down, at Health Central in Ferensway, has ended.
Mr Thornton said: “It’s disappointing it’s closed. It really helped me having someone to go and see every week. I would get weighed there. I hope the closure doesn’t put people off.”
