A 45 stone bloke shed an incredible 21 stone in just 19 months without using 'fat jabs' - and reckons it's saved him more than £2,000 by ditching his £180-a-month takeaway addiction. Jon Parry, 53, hit exactly 45 stone on the scales and squeezed into size 8XL clothing back in September 2023 after "constantly grazing" and gorging on takeaways three times weekly.

The martial arts instructor revealed he was splashing out £15 to £20 on each fast food binge - typically pizza followed by a Chinese later in the evening - totalling roughly £180 monthly.

Growing up, Jon "always struggled" with his weight and attributed his dramatic weight gain to his "extreme appetite" and losing his father, John, years earlier - confessing that grief caused his "eating to snowball".

But when Jon ballooned to 45 stone, it left him terrified that he "wouldn't live for much longer" - and the following November, he enrolled at his local Slimming World group to tackle his weight.

Nearly two years on, Jon now tips the scales at 23 stone 6lbs and claims he's banked over £2,000 by eliminating takeaways completely.

He describes himself as a "serial dieter" - consuming mainly fish and vegetables - and hits the gym five times weekly, which is his preferred approach as he "never felt comfortable enough for weightloss jabs."

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He's planning to splash the saved cash on a Spanish getaway with his mum, Sylvia, 82. Jon, from Wrawby, Lincolnshire, said: "I couldn't be happier with the results but the journey isn't over.

"I have been big all my life really, since I was a child. But it was probably when I hit my 40s when a lot of men hit middle-age spread, I really spread.

"I ended up putting a lot of weight on, partially due to the passing of my dad. And it was a bit of a spiralling thing. You put on weight, you look bad, you feel bad, so you eat more for comfort. It is a vicious circle. But joining Slimming World has been the best decision and I feel a lot more confident."

He added: "I've also saved quite a bit too - and it's helped pay for mine and my mum's holiday next week."

Jon started going to his local Slimming World group, run by Debbie in Brigg, about 18 months back. This came after the 53 year old ballooned to 45 stone and realised "knew something needed to change."

He explained: "My diet was poor. I was having massive portions and used to order takeaways three maybe four times a week. It would always be fried foods, pastries, desserts and chocolates - and it cost a fortune."

Jon confessed his food habits were draining £180 from his wallet monthly. Matters deteriorated further during his forties following the death of his father, John.

"That's when things snowballed and I just gained," he revealed. "People around me were concerned. And I remember my friend Emma saying how she worried I wouldn't be around for much longer. It was such a turning point."

But since joining his weekly Slimming World sessions, Jon says he's finally managed to break the cycle with support from fellow members.

He explained: "It is really positive when you have a bad week. It is one of the worst things and can knock you back. But everyone is like, 'No keep going! And it really helps."

Jon now sticks to a sustainable eating plan featuring the group's own-brand meals - such as prawn linguine and healthy curry sauce. Jon revealed: "On Slimming World, you can eat as much pasta and potatoes as you want, which is good because that fills you up.

"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. I get regular exercise and I have cut my portions down, which is important as well."

Fast-forward 72 weeks and Jon has shed over 21 stone, now tipping the scales at 23 stone 6lbs and wearing a top size 3XL. Since December 2024, he's purchased just one takeaway and reckons it's saved him over £2,000 in the past year - cash he's now put towards an upcoming Spanish getaway with his mum next week (January 5).

He also hits the gym five times weekly whilst continuing his Slimming World meetings - and has "never once thought about going on weightloss jabs."

Jon's target is shedding another six stone - ultimately aiming to be fit enough to tackle Snowdonia. He shared: "I have got loads more energy and I can walk miles and miles.

"Before, I could barely walk around a supermarket or up and down a flight of stairs. Now, I regularly do 15,000 steps a day and I feel great and better than ever."

• Breakfast: Pastries, cakes, cereal.


• Lunch: Takeaway pizza, large sandwiches, fried chicken and takeaways.


• Dinner: Chinese takeaway, pizzas, chips, burgers, desserts.


• Snacks: Chocolates, cakes, sweets.


• Drinks: Coffee, coke and fizzy drinks.

• 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.