A Renfrewshire school teacher has undergone an incredible transformation losing nearly 11 stone in under two years – after struggling to keep up with his 80-year-old dad.
Douglas Clark once weighed in at 26 stone 11lbs and realised his size was becoming a barrier to the life he wanted to live.
Now the dad-of-three has gone from battling high blood pressure and struggling to stay active to thriving in his family life and enjoying activities he once only dreamed of.
The journey began when Douglas’s ultra-fit mother, a former national and international cycling champion, passed away in 2020. Shortly afterwards, his son expressed an interest in joining the gym and Douglas knew it was time to make a change.
“My family has always been into fitness,” the 48-year-old told the Paisley Daily Express. “Both my parents were national cycling champions but somehow it skipped me.
“When my son wanted to go to the gym, I wanted to join him but I held back because I felt so self-conscious about how I looked.”
At his heaviest, Douglas struggled with short walks and relied on blood pressure medication. Emotionally, he felt trapped and embarrassed and his lack of confidence held him back from fully participating in his family’s life.
Douglas joined a Slimming World group having previously tried the online programme.
“I knew the food optimising plan worked for me but adding in the group experience was life-changing,” he explained. “I love how supportive it is. Everyone genuinely cares for one another, we celebrate together and lift each other up during tough weeks.”
Through a combination of Slimming World’s approach to healthy eating, activity and determination, Douglas transformed his lifestyle.
He explained: “I don’t ever deprive myself. I still enjoy treats like the occasional brownie after Parkrun. The key for me was being prepared. Instead of grabbing a sugary drink and chocolate every day, I plan ahead and always have healthier options on hand.”
Douglas’s wife, Gemma, and the children, Stanley, Nancy and Ivy, have been a constant source of encouragement throughout his weight loss journey.
“Gemma always said she loved me as I was but I struggled to believe it,” he said. “Now I know that I’m not just healthier for myself but for my family too.
“Even when they weren’t around day to day, positively manifesting a better life with them as a part of it was all it took to keep me going.”
To mark his ongoing weight loss, Douglas took on a 300-mile cycling challenge from Paisley to Slimming World’s headquarters in Derbyshire.
“It was such an emotional journey,” he said. “I had so much time to reflect on how far I’d come and what I’d achieved even at that stage.
“A chance, albeit brief, meeting with Margaret Miles-Bramwell, the founder of Slimming World, at the finish line was the perfect way to celebrate before heading back home – by train! It’s certainly a trip that’s kept me going to reach the stage I’m currently at.”
The ride wasn’t the only milestone for Douglas. Once unable to run at all, he’s now a regular at Parkrun, improving his 5km time from 55 minutes to under 33 minutes. He’s also taken up wild swimming, started sailing again and is even training for his first skiing trip in over 25 years.
“Some of the things that have changed for me are the things most people take for granted,” Douglas shared. “I can walk into any shop and buy medium T-shirts and slimfit jeans after years of wearing 4XL bought from an online catalogue.
“I can join my wife on the West Highland Way or the kids in the gym. Most importantly, I’m able to be more like the parent I’ve always wanted to be.
“Losing weight has changed my life in ways I never thought possible. It’s not just about the weight – it’s about gaining confidence, health and the chance to live fully.”
He credits Slimming World for giving him the tools to make lasting changes and added: “It’s not a diet, it’s a lifestyle. It’s taught me how to look at my relationship with food and find a way of eating that works for me.
“I love how flexible and accessible it is. It educates you about food and helps you build a healthy relationship with eating that lasts. It’s not about deprivation; it’s about finding balance.”
Douglas now wants to help others change their lives the way his has been changed. He has now trained as a consultant for Slimming World at its Derbyshire HQ.
Douglas will be opening up a brand-new group on Thursday, January 9, 2025, at 7pm in Glenburn at St Peter’s men’s club.
For more information about his group, contact Douglas on 07736 834934.
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