A MAN from Poole is hoping to inspire more men to lose weight after shedding a staggering nine stone.

Gary Jones, 43, slimmed down from 23st 2lbs to 13st 11.5lbs with help from Oakdale Slimming World group.

He said: “I joined Slimming World after my wife suggested I rang our local health service as they were doing a 12-week referral scheme. I’m so glad I had the courage to walk through those doors. In fact, I haven’t looked back since.”

Slimming World’s recent Machobesity Report revealed that while 95 per cent of men want to lose weight - mainly for health reasons - men typically keep weight worries to themselves for more than six years on average.

Gary added: “I did worry that I’d be the only bloke in the room, I wasn’t though, and, even if I ever was, it wouldn’t matter because everyone is there for the same reason and it’s such a supportive and friendly environment. All the hints, tips and recipes you pick up in group are really helpful too.

“Losing weight has even encouraged me to think about how active I am too, so I’ve taken up walking and cycling. I’ve also recently joined a veteran’s football team which I could only dream of doing last year.”

Gary said he was still able to enjoy his favourite foods like steak and chips and cooked breakfasts but swapped olive oil and butter for low-calorie cooking sprays and trimming the fat off meat.

Following his weight loss, Gary was one of 43 men to win a place in the semi-finals for Slimming World’s Man of the Year where he got to meet football legend John Barnes.

John said: “I think a lot of men find it really difficult to admit they have a problem with something and then seek the help they need to fix it. It’s not an easy thing to do so Gary has my utmost respect.”

Lorna Smith, who runs the Oakdale Slimming World group, said: “A lot of men think that slimming clubs are female-only zones, so Gary is living proof that this isn’t the case.”