A man who lost more than 13 stone in 10 months is to run the London Marathon.

Adam Joy, who weighed 26 st 4 lbs less than two years ago, knew he had to change his life when he couldn't get up the stairs at a rugby match.

The 41-year-old from Dartford said: "I went to watch England play at Twickenham with my son and had to stop on the stairs as I couldn't catch my breath. I just felt so ashamed of myself.

"I used to try and hide my weight and get tailored suits made to feel better. I couldn't fit into normal clothes."

Just a couple of days later, Adam decided to join Slimming World.

He swapped fatty, sugary foods and 50 pints of lager a week to a simple diet of meat, fish, veg and fruit.

With a few 'sins', such as crisps or alcohol, allowed each day, Adam lost eight and a half pounds in his first week on the plan.

The Bird in Hand landlord said: "Once I got started, I just kept going. On average, I lost five pounds a week. I ended up losing 13.2st in 10 months.

"With Slimming World you don't have to deprive yourself whatsoever, just stick to the plan 100%.

"I'd struggled with my weight for the last 20 years and tried a few different diets but nothing seemed to work before."

When he lost 12st, Adam began running, and can now manage up to 13 miles at a time.

"Before, I had mobility problems, arthritic knees, high blood pressure... the list goes on," he said.

"I had trouble walking, let alone running - that was completely out of the question."

Now, Adam weights just over 13st, has a six pack, and has been accepted on the London Marathon.

He will be running for Charlton Athletic Community Trust in April.

"I don't think it's going to be easy in any way, shape or form. But I'm confident I'll finish it - as to what time I'll get though I really don't know."

Adam, who lives at the Dartford Road pub with his wife and two children, also runs a Slimming World group at St John the Evangelist Church in Bexley every Tuesday, to help others who want to lose weight.

He added: "Losing weight has definitely made me feel more positive about life. Before I would question things, now I just get on and do it.

"If anyone wants to lose weight my advice is to get down to your local Slimming World group because it really works."

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