A father-of-three who was "too fat" to get a job has started his own slimming group in Exeter after shedding 16 stone in a year.
Paul Palmer's weight spiralled after he became unemployed, and completed around 1,000 job applications in a desperate bid to find work.
The 37-year-old ate a fat-filled diet, including six Mars bars for breakfast, as his waistline ballooned to a staggering 72 inches.
"I lost everything – my job, a company car, being able to provide for my family – overnight," he said.
"I turned to food for comfort and I started piling on the weight, putting on 10 stone in a year. It was ridiculous."
The turning point came in April 2012 when the 36-stone dad was turned down for a job as a bus driver - because he would have broken the seat.
The former bailiff was so embarrassed he decided he to join a slimming club - and he lost almost half his bodyweight in 12 months.
Paul, who lives in Tiverton, trained as a consultant launched his own group in October in the city where he uses his own story to inspire others.
"The group launched three months ago and it really has gone from strength to strength. We've now got more than 60 members, many of whom heard my story and were drawn in. Every member is a success story."
It is the second group he leads after starting one in Sidmouth in June.
He says regular members lose an average of two pounds a week, and new members shed an average of five-six pounds every seven days.
One lady from Sidmouth apparently lost four stone in four months, while an Exeter woman shed a stone during her first week.
"It's all about going back to basics, taking each day at a time, and having a healthy eating plan. But nothing is not allowed – we like people to enjoy their food."
At the peak of his Paul spent £100 a week on takeaways and was consuming as much as 7,000 calories a day.
"I suffered with depression, I comfort ate - chocolate, burgers, pizza, any takeaway meal I could lay my hands on," he said.
Paul's GP warned him he would be dead by 45, but after joining the Tiverton Slimming World group he began to lose weight and boost his expected life-span.
He added: "My friends and family who seen me in a while couldn't believe the difference - I am a new man and I want to help others achieve the same."
For more information or to find a Slimmer World Group in Exeter, visit www.slimmingworld.com.
Alternatively call Paul on 07769157345, or email paulpalmer227@gmail.com
