Ref. 31120-12Kirk Sharland has shed a third of his body weight and gained a happier and healthier lifestyle into the bargain.

A year ago the 23-year-old, from Penhill, thought his 18-stone body would always be hidden away in size 42 trousers and extra, extra large jumpers.

But Kirk decided to cut the carbs and start the Atkins Diet.

He said that the diet, which boasts followers including Hollywood stars Jennifer Aniston and Mel Gibson, has amazed him.

"When I was at my heaviest I was so depressed," he said. "I didn't have any motivation and would just eat Chinese and junk food night after night.

"I felt like I would never lose the weight. People would stare at me in the street.

"But it got to the stage when I just thought 'I can't do this any more' and decided I needed to do something about it."

Kirk, who works in retailing, started the Atkins diet after hearing about it through a friend.

He said: "At first I was very sceptical as I'd read a lot of negative press but I was so large I had to give it a go.

"It was hard to do at first as all I lived on was chicken and beef and gallons of water, and I started to feel lethargic.

"But the weight just dropped off and in three months I was down to 12 stone."

At 5ft 10ins, Kirk now weighs in at 11-and-a-half stone and wears size 34 trousers. He still follows and swears by the diet.

He said: "I've spent a couple of hundred pounds on new clothes and it's been worth every penny. I'm so much happier now.

"I still have the odd treat at the end of the week such as a couple of pints. But I also go for runs and have joined the gym."

He added: "My advice to anyone is give it a go. If you have determination and willpower you can achieve your weight loss."

Toni Page, dietician at Swindon's Great Western Hospital, said that the British Dietetic Association does not recommend the Atkins diet as the best approach for healthy weight control.

She said: "Short-term studies to date have not highlighted any serious adverse effects, however the long-term consequences on health are as yet unknown. More research is certainly needed on this type of dietary regime before firm recommendations can be made about its long term safety and efficacy.

"Have moderate amounts of lean meat, fish or alternatives, and moderate amounts of lower fat dairy products.

"Have at least five portions of fruit and vegetables daily and go for wholegrain carbohydrate foods."

Warning to women

Women who strictly follow the Atkins diet could be damaging their chances of getting pregnant, new research has shown.

Eating too much protein can prevent an embryo attaching to the wall of the womb or hinder its early development, the findings suggest.

Although the research was done on mice, scientists believe there are implications for humans, especially people consuming Atkins-style diets.

Alex Emery