A WESTBURY man who made a pledge to turn his life around has lost nearly six stone in just six months, making him the biggest loser of his Slimming World group.

Jason Underwood, of Bramley Mews, weighed 22 stone and 13 pounds in September 2015 when he decided to join North Bradley’s Slimming World group, and now, six months later, weighs 17 stone and four pounds.

Mr Underwood worked as a car technician but sustained a serious back injury in 2013 and had to have major spinal surgery, which forced him to quit his job and caused a drastic gain in weight.

He said: “This time last year I was not in a good place. I was depressed, had no will to get out of bed or do anything, ate and drank for the sake of it and never exercised as I didn’t see the point.

“Then a friend of mine who was a similar weight to me died after ignoring the warnings from his doctor, which acted as a very stark wake-up call.

“Following that, I joined Slimming World and have since become a new man, my confidence has never been higher. The group has transformed me totally and re-educated me about food.

“In the first month alone I lost seven pounds as I religiously followed recipe books and all of a sudden I was able to cook much healthier meals.

“I urge anyone in a similar position I was in to join a Slimming World group.”

Sarah Dearden, who runs the Slimming World class in North Bradley, said: “Jason has changed not only physically but mentally too.

“When he started coming to my group he was really shy and didn’t want to get involved, but now he walks in with his head held high and he’s one of the most prominent members.

“It just goes to show that these groups can really have a positive impact on people’s lives.”