A MECHANIC lost four-and-a-half stone in four months after doctors warned him he was borderline diabetic.

Alan Cummings was just over 20 stone (127 kgs) when he made the life-changing decision to shed the pounds.

The 50-year-old was so overweight he would stop breathing during sleep before waking up gasping for air.

A pre-op medical report before a minor back operation earlier this year made his mind up to lose the weight which has seen him go from a 44in (111cm) to a 34in (86cm) waist in trousers.

He said: “I feel fantastic. If I can do it, anybody can.”

The father-of-two, of Gilmour Crescent, Claines, started going to Slimming World sessions at nearby Claines Church Hall, in Cornmeadow Lane, with wife Sadie who was also unhappy with her waistline, weighing 14st 8lbs – she has since lost nearly three stone.

She said: “We would decide to go on diets and they’d last about two weeks. “But until you actually get the weight loss you just don’t realise the benefits.” She now finds her daily walk to work and weekly swim much easier as the weight has fallen off.

Mr Cummings added: “I could feel myself slowing down all the time, and just not having the energy. This time though, something just clicked.” He said his wife had also benefited from another side effect of shedding the pounds – he has now stopped snoring.

Colleagues at his employers Midwest Landscaping in St John’s have also noticed the change and he’s had to drop from an XXL to an M in uniform since he began the course on Tuesday, April 29.

Mrs Cummings said: “Someone I used to work with asked me if he was ill because he had lost that much weight. They couldn’t believe it.”

The father-of-two said wanting to see his 18-month-old granddaughter grow up had also been a powerful motivator. Mr Cummings added: “You have red days and green days so it’s flexible. You eat plenty of fruit and veg and I’ve cut out a lot of the chocolate as well.” He hit his target weight by September, but continues to attend sessions.

Sue Jones, the couple’s Slimming World consultant said: “It is couples like them that give you a glow inside, it’s why I do my job.”

For more information about the sessions call 01905 20682.