Ref. 30156-12DALE Colsell was so large he had to buy his clothes from catalogue stores but now he is free to shop where he likes, having shed five and a half stone in seven months.

And there is no secret to how Mr Colsell, 33, of Stubbsmead, Eldene, achieved such dramatic weight loss just healthy eating and plenty of exercise.

He said: "I'd had enough of being huge. So I set my mind to transforming my lifestyle and the pounds simply fell off."

Mr Colsell, a youth worker and DJ, used to be a street dancer and friends were impressed with his agile body. But working night shifts caused his weight to balloon to a whopping 22 and a half stone, as he tucked into convenience food, like crisps, chocolate and pasties.

Last September he realised his poor diet was taking its toll on his health.

He said: "Even a short walk would leave me scant of breath. I used to be so active and really missed being fit."

Mr Colsell was also sick of people making judgements about his size.

He said: "I was known as Mr Big and people thought I drank too much beer, even though I don't touch alcohol."

So he took the decision to reform his unhealthy ways and hasn't looked back since.

Instead of feasting on fast food and sugary snacks, he embarked on a balanced diet, including plenty of fruit and vegetables.

Within the first month of changing his eating habits Mr Colsell lost a stone. He also joined the gym at the Oasis Leisure Centre, in North Star, and started taking regular exercise.

Mr Colsell said: "At first I felt tired after walking on the treadmill. Now I can run two miles no sweat."

He had tried dieting before but always seemed to slip back into his old habits.

But this time he was determined to stick to his goal and get back to a sensible weight. Seven months on, he tips the scales at 15 and a half stone.

He said: "I don't touch junk food anymore and never eat after 7pm. I still have three meals a day but breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dine like a pauper."

Besides working out at least three times a week, Mr Colsell has also taken up tai chi.

He said: "It helps me relax and keeps my mind focused. The discipline also tones my body."

When shopping for clothes Mr Colsell used to be size XXXXXL. The only places which stocked his size were catalogue stores or American shops.

He said: "I can go into any shop now and fit into a large. I feel a different person and can now dance again to my heart's content."

dale's diets

OLD DIET

Breakfast Cheese and beans on toast. Coffee with full fat milk

Snack Biscuits

Lunch Sandwiches, crisps, chocolate bar

Dinner Pizza

Supper Chocolate, crisps

NEW DIET

Breakfast Slice of toast with cottage cheese, banana, glass of water

Snack fruit, coffee with skimmed milk

Lunch low fat cheese and salad sandwich, packet of rice cake snacks

Dinner Jacket potato with beans or pasta and salad

Victoria Tagg