LIAM Hincks is a shadow of his former self.

The deputy manager of Aldi in Ludlow finds that people he knew two years ago can hardly recognise him.

Now the 31-year-old Dad of two wants to tell the story of how he has shed more than 11 stones in a period of 20 months.

It has meant a reduction is the size of his waist from 50 inches to 36 inches and chest from 58 inches to 42 inches,

Whilst it has not been easy, Liam says that it has not been as difficult as people might think and does not involve having to starve.

The truth is that he lost all of that weight in just over a year but has only decided to speak out now that he has retained his new weight for six months.

“I did not want it to be like in the past when I have lost weight and it has all gone back on like the time when I lost six stones.”

He agrees that the problem is often not shedding the pounds in the first place but keeping them off.

“There is no doubt in my mind that genetics have a part to play and I have always been big and come from a family of big people,” he added.

But even given his height of more than six feet 28 stones was too big.

“I did not have health although I did get breathless walking up hills,” he said.

“The problem is that I have always liked my food and I still do. It is the size of my portions.”

Liam admits that what he describes as ‘greed’ would have seen him have a family pack of food all to himself.

He has never been a member of a slimming groups but says he has picked up tips from his wife who has been involved with ‘Slimming World.’

“It has been a combination of changing my diet and increasing my exercise,” added Liam.

“I should say that 80 per cent of my weight loss has been diet and the rest exercise.”

So what has been the secret?

Liam’s experience is that it has less to do with quantity and more to do with what is eaten.

“It is amazing what just cutting out things like crisps and chocolate can achieve,” he adds.

“Regular meals are important and if I get hungry between them I will usually have some fruit.

“Weighing every week is also very important to make sure that you are on track”

But Liam advises against an obsession with the scales and urges people not to get downhearted if they get stuck at a weight for a time or even put a bit back on because losing weight successfully is a marathon not a sprint.

Perhaps his surprise tip is occasionally to forget the diet and just for a day eat whatever is wanted.

“The body is clever and constant dieting causes the metabolism for slow so an occasional blow out can actually help by speeding it up again.”

As for clothes when sizes are constantly changing Liam says charity shops are the place to go.