A GWENT man has lost nearly eight stone after “stumbling” into weight-loss meeting on crutches just over two years ago.

Mark Carey, 51, of Cwmbran, joined My Woodland Road Slimming World Group – weighing more than 23 stone – after undergoing surgery on both knees.

The doctor told his that he would have to have knee replacements if he continued to gain weight.

“This was this point I knew I couldn’t keep going anymore,” he said.

“I have always been overweight – all my life – but it’s just got worse and worse.

“As I got older it started impacting my health.

“I tried different diets, tried going to the gym.

“Then I had problems with my joints and was surviving on painkillers.”

In March 2016, when he joined Slimming World, Mr Carey weighed in at 23st 1.5lb. At his last group meeting, he weighed 15st 9lb.

He said: “I could never have done it without my wife, Jan. She cooks all my meals and gives me tons of support – that’s why won Slimming World Couple of the Year.

“I was a little worried about going public, for fear of somehow jinxing my good luck and reversing my weight loss.”

But now Mr Carey, who trains lorry drivers for Tesco, hopes to inspire other men to embark on their own weight-loss journey.

“It’s little things that all add up to big things that matter. I love being able to climb stairs without an issue, and even cut my toenails,” he said.

“Mostly, I love being able to go into regular shops and buy clothes, instead of having to order them online because nowhere stocked my size. My wife always loses me in clothes stores now – I’m too busy shopping.

“I just want to stress that Slimming World is not just for women.

“I went after my daughter-in-law encouraged me to go with her.

“I was scared of being the only bloke there and having to get up in front of women and talk about my weight. She assured me it would be fine.

“The first person that greeted me inside was a man – I was so relieved.

“All of the time and see people who I know need to start losing weight too and would really benefit from Slimming world, but as soon as I mention it they tune out.”

Mr Carey, who admitted he gained 15lb on holiday in Cape Verde last month, said: “It was the first time ever that I can look forward to getting on an aeroplane without worrying about taking up too much room or suffering the embarrassment of asking for a seatbelt extension.

“Because I’m not a tall man, my ideal weight is actually 10-and-a half-stone, but I know that’s not realistic.

“My goal weight is 13 stone – I haven’t been weight since I was 16 years old,” he said.

“I know I can achieve my target weight with the support of others in the Woodland Road group.”