A man who was so ashamed of his 51st frame that he barely left his home for four years is set to get married after losing two-thirds of his body weight.
Paul Stevenson, from Derby, was sent on a downward spiral after his mum died and was gorging on three or four takeaways every day when he was at his heaviest.
In 2015, Paul, now 38, was so obese that his scales were unable to register his full weight.
But he has managed to shed an incredible 33st, is engaged to his girlfriend of two years and has got a job - as a hospital porter - for the first time in 12 years, DerbyshireLive reports.
Paul, who now weighs 18st, popped the question to his fiancée about two years after the met on social media and began dating.
He said: “I’m absolutely loving life again and it feels great.
"I’m buzzing to start work again and I’m going to be marrying an incredible person. I’ve got so much to look forward to.”
Derby County fan Paul feared he would die young as he became a shut in and gained weight as he lived off pizzas, chips and cobs.
He managed to get his weight down to 42st so he could under go a sleeve gastrectomy operation on the NHS.
The surgery can permanently remove a portion of the stomach.
It is the reason he is alive today, he added.
Paulhas been exercising regularly, manages a local football team and undergone an operation in Holland to remove excess skin.
He now does some work as a motivational speaker to help others and will soon start his job at Royal Derby Hospital.
He said: “I’m buzzing to be starting work again. Because of my size, working was pretty much impossible.
"I can’t tell you how much this means to me. I was over the moon when I found out.
“I think it is an ideal job for me as I’ll be going ward to ward helping out and doing what is required. I can’t wait to start.
“My aim has always been to get healthy enough so I can start working. It’s a huge thing.
“To say my fiancée is a rock is a big understatement. She has been a mountain to me and is always there for me.
“When I’m having a down day – and there have been a few – she lifts me up and puts a smile on my face.
“I can’t wait to get married to her, it’s going to be a very special day.
“We met via social networking and she’s amazing, she understands everything I’ve been through.
“At my lowest I never thought I would see the outside of my house again, so to be where I am now is incredible.
“It’s been the most insane trip that anyone could wish to go through.”
