A man stuck in the turnstiles at the Derby County Football Game loses 24 STONE

A man who was "heavier than a sumo wrestler" lost an amazing stone of 24 and a half years and changed his life.

Dan Howie of Derby weighed more than 42 kg when he decided to change – and has since lost half of his weight.

The 31-year-old had to buy two seats in planes because of his size and could not cross the turnstiles every time he was going to watch his beloved Derby County.

Dan told Derbyshire Live that he was struggling to cope with both physically and mentally.

He said: "Eating the wrong things, not exercising, working behind a desk, it's a combination of things that has made the weight rise.

"I was lazy and started drinking heavily at night four times a week, I drank a bottle of rum before a party because I needed that to give me the confidence to go out of my size."

He continued: "During my absence, I had 15 pints plus shots and jagers, and then I would have a takeaway.

"It was a vicious circle, I was going to work, then I went straight to the pub, it was also a bit depressed, I had a habit of ordering a takeaway, I do not know. so I did not have to go out.

"I was heavier than a sumo wrestler and I was not leading a healthy lifestyle at all."

But Dan, inspired by the decision to change his excessive drinking habits by the birth of his niece Olivia, aged six, and her nephew Riley, now five years old.

He said, "My niece and nephew were born, godfather to my best friend's little girl, things like that put that in perspective and was a wake-up call for me to do something about it."

Dan has moved to Blackpool and Preston for ten years working in online recruitment.

While he lived in the northwest in 2014, he underwent a keyhole surgery to get a gastric sheath, which took him two-thirds off his stomach.

Although he lost four stones in the first year, it was when Dan returned to Derby and joined Fearon's Gym and the Boxing Academy two years ago that he really enjoyed it.

Dan, grateful for the support of club founder Clive Fearon, said: "Training at the gym five days a week has helped a lot.

"Clive has prepared the training and meal plans, but it also helps a lot with the mental side of things.

"It's hard because I have to think about everything differently now, I still think sometimes as a bigger person, thinking that I can not do things because of my size." I try to overcome things like it.

"I had never gone for a walk before, I got tired and breathless after five minutes. But I can now play sports with my nephew and have the dog walk around Elvaston Castle on a Sunday.

"Life improves a lot, more easily and I am much happier with myself in general."

Before embarking on weight loss, Dan wore 6XL clothes purchased online and at specialty stores.

Now Dan has lost weight at £ 9, his weight was when he was in school.

Dan is delighted that his new size of 38 "allows him to buy 2XL clothes in stores.

"I did not have that size since I was 14. I bought my clothes from Big and Tall or Jacamo, or from a Blackpool store that imported items from America.

"I realized, just before Christmas, that I could now buy clothes on the garment for the first time in my adult life, which is a big deal for me.

"I do not know why, but people think that all the big guys want to wear Hawaiian shirts, but we do not do it, I can shop at Next and M & S now. normal clothes. "

Some of the most embarrbading moments in Dan's life came when he was forced to use the disabled entrance to travel to Pride Park to monitor Derby County.

Dan, who works in Birmingham for the CV library of the online recruitment company, said, "I was going to look at Derby County, but I could not cross a turnstile without going sideways or getting stuck.

"They had to open access for people with disabilities for me.It was too embarrbading and it prevented me from going on for a long time.

"But last week, I felt confident enough to buy my subscription and get one for my nephew."

After his confidence took a big step forward last week, Dan's next goal is to visit a theme park this summer.

Dan, who is 5 feet 11 inches, said: "A few years ago, I went to the Stuttgart Oktoberfest where there were rides, and I was actually fired because of my height.

"I've never been to such a place since – my next big challenge is to go to a theme park, because I've never been to a park in case I turned away because of my size. . "

Dan has another big challenge in front of him when he goes to the ring for Fearon's Gym's boxing on Friday, March 8th.

He said: "When I started boxing training, the weight dropped dramatically and I lost five stones since the month of September.

"These five stones made the difference, which means I can go out and buy clothes in the stores.

"There was sweat, blood and tears, but the resigners never win and I am determined to cross the finish line and hope to win this belt.

Those who wish to support Dan's fundraising for Ashbourne Animal Welfare can visit his JustGiving page here.

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Main reports of Mirror Online