Crawley warehouseman loses 11st

11:33am Friday 16th May 2008

Bullied for being a chubby child at school, David Keep grew up battling weight and self-esteem problems.

But ailing health and mobility problems spurred him into action and he joined his local Slimming World club in Crawley.

The 44-year-old's weight had crept up to 29st and Mr Keep, ashamed at the amount of weight he had put on, stayed at home and comfort ate.

Since joining slimming world, the warehouseman, of Jackson Road, Broadfield, Crawley, has lost a staggering 11st 7lb and he says he has never felt better.

He said: "I was always the fat kid at school and right through my life felt that people were laughing at me. I didn't bother trying to achieve anything because I was sure I'd fail.

"I'd stay at home, inactive and avoiding going out because people used to stare and make jokes about my size.

"I was getting pains in my ankles - it was so bad I was scared I'd end up an invalid. I also suffered from high blood pressure and sleep apnoea. My self-esteem was at an all-time low."

Mr Keep's mother helped him to turn his life around after she lost 2.5st with Slimming World in Horsham.

Sadly she died but he said he is determined to lose another three stone and reach his target weight to honour his mother.

He said: "She really encouraged me, even though she knows how stubborn I can be.

"I was in a really low place in my life and so I went along, expecting to drop out of group within a couple of weeks. But I thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience.

"In the first week I lost two pounds but then I started to lose about four pounds a week.

"I am doing everything now. I cycle and walk everywhere. I find it difficult to keep still and I feel so much more energetic and alive."

Mr Keep's achievement was recognised at an awards ceremony in London and he plans to keep on going to the Slimming World group in Crawley where he says he has made some great friends and receives the support he needs.

He said: "The support from the group has been fantastic and having something to focus on has been really therapeutic."

Gilly Moore, who runs the group in Holy Trinity Church, Titmus Drive, Crawley, said: "I am so proud of what David has achieved.

"He has been a real inspiration to the other members in the group. It was a fantastic experience to attend the event with him to celebrate this."

For further information or to join please call Gilly Moore on 01293 407363.

Have you or has someone you know lost a lot of weight? Email your stories to news@theargus.co.uk or text your pictures, videos and messages to 80360. Start your message with SUPIC.

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