A dad who suffered with severe back pain that left him barely able to move has seen his ailment cured after he lost seven stone in just six months.
Frankie Adams, 37, said he could barely walk without being in "complete agony" until he joined Slimming World and shed a staggering 7st 9lbs.
"When I started I was hardly able to move. Every time I did move I would be in complete agony with my back," he said.
"I also suffered from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) which was extremely bad, so I decided to do something about it.
"I saw an advert for Slimming World and heard from friends about it and decided to give it a go."
Frankie said he struggled with his weight for years and it stopped him from doing "basic everyday things."
"When I was at my heaviest it was emotionally very difficult as there was a lot that I couldn't do. Simple tasks such as putting on my socks was a massive struggle," he said.
"I am also a father, and my weight limited me in what I could do with my kids."
Frankie, from the Rhondda, said he initially struggled to shake his takeaway habit.
"The change of food was a big alteration," he admitted.
"I used to eat mainly fast and fried food. However, there were still nice options [in Slimming World], and it was something I was able to get used to.
"Takeaways are now a thing of the past as I prepare my own healthy meals at home."
Frankie said getting into exercise was also difficult because of his constant back pain.
"As well as following the Slimming World food plan I started doing a lot of walking, roughly 10 to 12 miles a day," he added.
"It took time to build up to it but I now cycle around six miles a day."
In just six months Frankie dropped from an unhealthy 23st 9lbs, to 15st 12lbs.
"Now I'm pain free, doing so much more and feel amazing in myself. Losing weight has even calmed down my IBS symptoms so that they're virtually non-existent.
"It's the first time in years that I've really felt good about the way I look."
There have been some changes to the Slimming World diet:
Frankie's journey is still ongoing, however, as he aims to reach his ideal body weight goal of 12st.
"I will keep up my walking and cycling and keep sticking to the food plan. I'm excited to see how much further I can go with my weight loss journey."
The Slimming World group he joined, run by Jade Deacon, meet every Tuesday evening at Wattstown Rugby Club.
For more information, or if you would like to join the group, call Jade on 07968 970814.
