A FAMILY man from Howwood lost six stone after struggling to keep up with his 78-year-old dad on a bike.

Douglas Clark decided to lose the massive amount of weight after realising it was impacting his family life with his wife and his three teenage children, and also because his blood pressure was dangerously high.

The 47-year-old, who suffers from coeliac disease, was sporty as a young lad, however, he saw his weight increase after he went to university.

Over the years the dad has tried numerous diets without success and became very inactive.

Sparking about his weight loss journey, Douglas said: "I bought an e-bike and I struggled to keep up with my 78-year-old dad on his.

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"While he is an ex-national cycling champion - as was my mother - I still felt like someone 30 years older than me shouldn't be so much fitter."

The Howwood man decided to join the Paisley Slimming World group in January. 

He had previously been a member of the organisation's online programme - so he knew that the food optimising healthy eating plan they offered worked for him.

Douglas added: "I love the group experience. I love the fact that the group creates the space for you to be an individual while at the same time getting support from each other.

"The genuine care everyone in our group has for one another is wonderful - we celebrate together and give support if times are ever tough.

"People often think of slimming clubs as a women's domain, so I want to dispel that myth."

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He continued to say: "I've tried 'going on a diet' but it never worked because my mindset was wrong - I was always planning to 'come off the diet' when I'd lost the weight."

To celebrate his weight loss, Douglas decided to embark on a 300-mile cycle from his weekly Slimming World group in Paisley to the headquarters of the organisation in Derbyshire, England.

The dad has also re-embraced a range of habits he'd long forgotten, including swimming, sailing, and cycling.

On top of those, he is now aiming to take up competitive cycling again and is planning his first skiing trip in 20 years.

Meanwhile, his blood pressure is also at a normal level now and he no longer needs to take medication for it.

Douglas's recent 300-mile trek on his bike only took him four days and when he arrived at the headquarters he met the organisation's founder - Margaret Miles-Bramwell OBE.

He said: "It was amazing to get a chance to chat to Margaret, the woman who started it all, and I enjoyed a delicious lunch in Slimming World's staff restaurant.

"I had so much time to think on my bike and reflect on my achievements.

"The biggest win of all though is that I'm the dad I always wanted to be, and now I'm focused on completing my psychotherapy diploma and helping others."

Douglas added: "Slimming World is different because it educates you about food in a very accessible way and helps you to look at your relationship with food. I've found a way of eating that works for me for good."