A NEILSTON man has told how his life has been transformed after a health scare led to him shedding excess weight.

Paul Johnstone tipped the scales at 16st 4lbs last year when he began suffering chest pains.

He was diagnosed with angina and, within a matter of weeks, was undergoing a procedure to have a stent fitted.

Family man Paul, who has been married for 28 years and has three children, had always been active but was finding the extra weight a strain.

However, after his operation in March, he was given the opportunity to have a NHS referral to the Weight Watchers Health Solutions programme.

This allowed him to attend weekly meetings, stay for a motivational chat afterwards and have access to online tools and an app.

Paul happily accepted this opportunity, joining the Neilston meeting at The Bank Cafe on Friday nights, supported by his coach Phyllis Templeton.

Now the 48-year-old civil servant can celebrate after losing three-and-a-half stones.

Paul said: “I attended my first meeting in September and immediately took to the SmartPoints system, as the choice and flexibility made weight loss so easy.

“The weekly meetings are more like a community – we all support each other in every aspect and there are always tips to learn and new recipes to discover.

“In the last 19 weeks,I have lost 47.5lbs thanks to Phyllis and the support of the members in my meeting.

“We always have a fun-filled, informative chat after the weigh-in and come away feeling motivated and inspired for the week ahead.

“The Weight Watchers programme has meant that my health, confidence and happiness has improved immeasurably.”

To find out more about Weight Watchers, call Phyllis on 0750 070 7145 or visitwww.weightwatchers.co.uk.