WHEN a father-of-two was refused entry to an amusement park ride because staff were unable to pull the safety bar down, he knew a change was necessary.

Ipswich Star: Carl Hawes has been going to Slimming World in Ravenswood since July 2012.Carl Hawes has been going to Slimming World in Ravenswood since July 2012. (Image: Archant)

Carl Hawes, who is from Ipswich but currently living in Woodbridge, became determined to lose weight after he was asked to get off the ride during a family holiday in Norfolk.

The 37-year-old joined the Ravenswood branch of Slimming World in July last year when he tipped the scales at 19st 2lb.

And after giving up snacking on sausage rolls, crisps and bacon sandwiches – Mr Hawes has lost more than five stone and has achieved his target weight of 14st.

He said: “I would definitely say that losing the weight has changed my life because it has made me a lot healthier and I am happier with my weight now.

“I have reached my target weight and now it is all about maintaining it.

“Being told I couldn’t go on the ride at the amusement park with one of my daughters because the safety bar wouldn’t go down was the final straw.

“I knew I had to do something. My diet has completely changed because I no longer snack on bad foods and that has made a massive difference.”

Mr Hawes is also now a keen cyclist and rides several times a week.

Although he has now reached his target weight, Mr Hawes said he will continue attending the weekly Slimming World sessions to help keep the weight off and because he is involved in the social side of the group.

Emma Howells, who runs the group, said: “I am incredibly proud of Carl and so happy that he made the decision to join my Slimming World group, he is such a happy, confident person now and his enthusiasm for food optimising is infectious.”

The Ravenswod Slimming World group meets every Wednesday with meetings beginning at either 5.30pm or 7.30pm.