A martial arts instructor who tipped the scales at a staggering 45 stone has revealed how he shed an incredible 21 stone in just 19 months, all without turning to weight-loss injections.
Jon Parry, 53, from Wrawby, Lincolnshire, said his dramatic transformation has also saved him more than £2,000, money he once spent on a costly £180-a-month takeaway habit.
The Turning Point: A Life in the Balance
By September 2023, Jon's weight had reached exactly 45 stone, and he was squeezing into size 8XL clothing. He admitted to "constantly grazing" and ordering takeaways like pizza and Chinese food three or even four times a week, spending between £15 and £20 on each binge.
Jon, who had struggled with his weight since childhood, said his situation spiralled in his forties, particularly after the death of his father, John. "That's when things snowballed," he confessed, explaining that grief led to comfort eating. "You put on weight, you look bad, you feel bad, so you eat more for comfort. It is a vicious circle."
The reality of his health finally hit home when a close friend expressed fear that he "wouldn't be around for much longer." Terrified, Jon took action and joined his local Slimming World group in Brigg, run by consultant Debbie, in November 2023.
A New Lifestyle: Food, Fitness and Support
Nearly two years on, Jon's commitment has paid off spectacularly. He now weighs 23 stone and 6lbs and wears a size 3XL. Describing himself as a "serial dieter," he finally found a sustainable method with Slimming World's eating plan.
"On Slimming World, you can eat as much pasta and potatoes as you want, which is good because that fills you up," Jon explained. "As long as you don't put crazy sauces on them. I eat a lot of fruit and veg, oily fish, salmon, that sort of thing."
He has completely overhauled his diet:
Diet Before:
- Breakfast: Pastries, cakes, cereal.
- Lunch: Takeaway pizza, large sandwiches, fried chicken.
- Dinner: Chinese takeaway, pizzas, chips, burgers, desserts.
- Snacks: Chocolates, cakes, sweets.
- Drinks: Coffee, coke and fizzy drinks.
Diet After:
- Breakfast: Oats, cereal, fruit.
- Lunch: Salmon, fish, lean meats, salads.
- Dinner: Slimming World meals, fish, prawns, low-calorie curries.
- Snacks: No snacks.
- Drinks: Water, sugar-free drinks.
Crucially, Jon said the weekly group support was vital. "It is really positive when you have a bad week... everyone is like, 'No keep going!' And it really helps." He also incorporated exercise, now visiting the gym five times a week and regularly achieving 15,000 steps a day.
Looking Ahead: Holidays and Mountains to Climb
By cutting out almost all takeaways—he's had just one since December 2024—Jon has banked over £2,000 in savings. He's using that money to fund a Spanish holiday with his 82-year-old mother, Sylvia.
While he's "never once thought about going on weightloss jabs," Jon's journey isn't over. His next goal is to lose another six stone, with an ultimate aim of being fit enough to climb Mount Snowdon.
"I have got loads more energy and I can walk miles and miles," he said. "Before, I could barely walk around a supermarket or up and down a flight of stairs. Now, I feel great and better than ever."
