A BRADFORD man who ballooned to more than 19 stones while he worked in a family takeaway has warned others to be more conscious about their weight.

Rehail Khan, now 22, said he shed the pounds after vowing to “kick-start his life” by going back to college in 2013.

He is now down to just under 13 stones, and in his second year of a law degree at De Montfort University in Leicester.

Mr Khan, who grew up on Hollingwood Lane and still comes home to Bradford every weekend, said he worked in a family takeaway in Brighouse for three years after leaving school at 16 with no GCSEs.

“That was where my weight escalated,” he said.

“The food was just constantly there and it was a comfort thing. There was easy access to it and it was just laziness.

“I couldn’t fit into jeans and shirts to go out, people don’t realise how being that size can set you back.

“It was denial. But when I eventually stepped on the scales I couldn’t believe it.”

As well as eating a large amount of takeaways, Mr Khan said he was also drinking around nine cans of fizzy drinks a day when he finally realised he needed to take action.

“It got to the point where I thought I just can’t go on like this,” he said.

“I decided to go to college to do an access course, and that’s what started it.

“My girlfriend supported me and my mum helped me diet, and I bought a treadmill and just got on with it.

“I went from walking on it to maxing out the highest setting. I used it so much I broke the motor! I’m now down at 12 stone 13 and am maintaining it.”

Last month, health bosses announced plans to set up a crack team to tackle the district’s growing obesity epidemic.

Two-thirds of the district’s adults and a third of 11-year-olds are now overweight or obese, according to health figures, leading to an increased risk of cancer, heart disease, type two diabetes, and other potentially fatal illnesses.

Of his dramatic weight loss, Mr Khan said: “I’m just a normal lad, not special, and anyone can do what I’ve done, it just takes a bit of dedication.

“It has been a huge boost for my confidence and self-esteem, and I’m making up for stuff I missed in my teenage years.

“My message to people would be to nip any weight issues in the bud before they escalate.

“People need to put their health first.”

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