Dunfermline man loses 15 stone at Townhill Slimming World

It was worth the weight for Peter J Gray, who embarked on his journey around two years ago for practical reasons.

He said: “I went to the dentist to get a wisdom tooth out, and they said that it would need to be done at the dental hospital.

“They checked my weight and said to the surgery ‘do you realise how heavy he is for your chair?’

“Then they said they couldn’t do any more dental work on me because I was too big.

“My primary goal was to lose weight and get the work done, but once I started I just kept going, losing more and more.”

Full of praise for his Slimming World consultant Glen, he said: “Men can be put off going to these things, because weight loss stuff is often orientated towards women, and for us there can be little to relate to.

“Because Glen is a man I can identify with him in that way. That said, he welcomes everybody.

“A lot of it is just based around what you’re eating and adapting to what you can and can’t have. Nothing’s off limits but it all has to be accounted for.

Peter J Gray after losing 15 stone (Image: Peter J Gray)

"I always say that if there’s anything I can do to let people know that it’s possible, then I will."

Consultant Glen told the Press: “Watching his smile getting bigger in group week after week and hearing the health benefits he evidently enjoys is really what the role of a consultant is all about.

“He genuinely makes the room fill with admiration and utmost respect for his dedication to be healthier, fitter, and happier in the caring and supportive environment which the group brings.”

Feeling like a new man, Mr Gray said: "If I’m out and about I’m not looking to have a sit down every five minutes, so that really does free my whole concept of how I can live my life.

“I can do a lot more now. Instead of a short walk with the dog it’s a long one, and there’s so much more exercise that I can do.

“Life’s about taking up more challenges now because I have that ability. The only thing is that my other half isn’t happy because now I can fit in his clothes.”

Mr Gray previously weighed 33 stone and five pounds, which brought certain difficulties in day-to-day life.

He said: “The joke was that when we were on holiday it was me, my other half, and Mr extra comfort seat.

“On the plane I would book an extra seat because I thought it was unfair to impact the space if the person sitting next to me.

“Losing the weight just means I can do all those things like travel without thinking about it.”