A Scots digger driver has shed a whopping nine stone after a health check left him fearing he was heading to an early grave.
Matthew Sneddon tipped the scales at 24 stone thanks to binging on junk food and eating a takeaway for lunch almost every day.
But the 47-year-old was given a wake up call in March 2017 after he was sent for a work-related medical check.
Doctors told the takeaway addict his blood pressure was severely high, at 120/110.
Fearing a heart attack would kill him, Matthew, from Kilmarnock, went to a Slimming World meeting that night and never looked back.
He told the Record: "I stopped dead and I went to Slimming World that night. Three and a half years later I've won every award you can win.
"I'm just ready to hit my nine and a half stone weight loss.
"I had a sad lifestyle before. I worked, ate and went to bed. I had no energy or willpower to do anything.
"Now it is a totally different kettle of fish, I love life. I even went abroad now, I'd never done that before, couldn't sit on a plane seat. I was too heavy and it was embarrassing.
"I've got the willpower to go out and say I'm not going to eat that whereas before I would just eat it."
Matthew now works as a transport and plant manager but previously was employed as a digger driver.
A typical day at work would see him eat two filled rolls and fried sausage - before his shift, another two at 10am, then a Chinese or cafe takeaway at lunch, before going home to have another takeaway for dinner.
But, four years on, his diet has drastically changed .
Matthew now eats Weetabix before work, a small meal prepped pasta at 10am and for lunch and then goes home to a healthy meal at night.
The hard work has paid off as Matthew transformed his lifestyle and is now a more healthy 15 stone - and he plans to continuing shedding the pounds.
Enjoying a much more active lifestyle, he walks his four-year-old Springer Spaniel Digger every day before work and frequently goes hillclimbing with his friend.
Matthew is now urging any concerned about their weight to 'think about their life' with the help and support of those at Slimming World.
His group includes pal Liz Cunningham, who he met at the group, with the pair supporting each other with their weight goals ever since.
Liz, who has been doing Slimming World for seven years, said she was proud of herself and Matthew for sticking with it.
The 55-year-old, also from Kilmarnock, said: "I am really proud of Matthew, we've both stuck together as a team.
"It's a great wee support group and we have our own group chat. I'm chuffed with myself that I've stayed on target for this long.
"Matthew has done absolutely amazing and the change in him is unbelievable."
Matthew added: "The meeting on a Thursday, I won't miss that for love nor money. I'll never stop going to the meetings, it has changed my lifestyle.
"Just sit down and have a serious think about your life - that's what I done. It is life changing."
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