A SUPER slimmer is taking to the skies after losing eight stone since realising he was too big to get his pilot’s licence.

Steven Hardy, from Witham, has managed to drop from more than 24 stone to 16 stone since July last year.

Steven joined a Witham-based Slimming World group after realising he could not fulfil his lifelong dream of learning to fly.

This was because he would not be approved for his aviation medical due to his weight.

Steven was also finding it hard to keep up with his children and felt lethargic and lacking in “get up and go”.

He said: “Deep down I’d been unhappy with my weight for some time, but it took me a long time to face up to it.

“And then when I did admit to myself that I wanted to lose weight I still didn’t want to ask for help.

“I’ve realised now though that far from being weak, admitting that you need help takes strength of character and getting support to identify where I’m going wrong and to make changes has given me a sense of confidence that is benefitting every aspect of my life.

“It was nerve-wracking walking through those doors for the first time but I wasn’t the only man there and everyone was warm and welcoming because we’re all at the group for the same reason – to lose weight and feel good."

As the weight came off, Steven says he had more energy and was eager to use it.

He added: “I always thought that physical activity would be the best way to lose weight, but when I was at my heaviest, I just wasn’t fit enough to do it and I’ve since realised that I needed to do more than just move more.

“I now exercise daily, can swim a mile, ride a bike and climb the stairs without getting out of breath. I can honestly say I feel like a different man since losing weight.

“Now I can run about with my children, sleep better and, excitingly, learn to fly.”