A DETERMINED dad has ditched takeaways and fast food to lose more than four stones in only six months.

Stephen McDonald, who fits hardwood flooring, not log ago weighed in at almost 18 stones.

He is now 13st eight lbs.

He was inspired when his sister Kayleigh started shedding the pounds by joining the Slimming World group run by Claire McNicol in January.

Stephen, 32, said: "I always thought that slimming clubs were for women, so I never thought about joining.

"My sister is in Claire's class and I noticed she had lost weight and was looking good.

"I asked her about it and I thought 'I'm coming with you'."

Stephen lives with his two daughters Ryleigh, seven, and Charley, six, in Greenock's Finnieston Street.

He works away from home a lot staying in hotels and got into the bad habit of living off takeaways.

Despite being a bit apprehensive at joining the class at first, he has become Claire's best success story.

He now follows the Slimming World recipe plan and is cooking his meals from scratch even when he is away.

Instead of reaching to phone Chinese takeaways he makes a healthy alternative like creamy garlic chicken instead.

Stephen said: "I bought a portable hob and microwave so I can cook in the hotel room when I'm away and it's made a big difference to me.

"I even manage to find slimming classes when I'm away where I can get weighed and keep motivated."

He has dropped from an XXL size in tops to large/medium and from a 40 inch waist to a 34, which is already too big for him now.

Stephen said: "I feel brilliant, it is amazing.

"I've got so much more energy now to play with the kids."

Claire says Stephen has done 'fantastically well' and is an inspiration in the class.

She said: "He always brings a bit of a laugh and is really good at sharing his success tips.

"I'm really proud of him.

"He has been slimmer of the week five times and was slimmer of the month in February and April, Man of the Year and he and his sister were named couple of the year."

Stephen is now toning up by doing a bit of walking and is aiming to lose another stone.

* The class runs at Auchmountain Glen Project hall in Aberfoyle Road on Tuesdays at 5.30 and 7.30pm. For more information call Claire on 07507147312.