Haddington cabbie sheds four stone after funeral suit didn't fit

An overweight taxi driver has shed four stone after he was left embarrassed at struggling to fit into a suit to attend his mother-in-law’s funeral.

Coach: Daniel Renton

Billy Gray piled the pounds by munching on fast food, bakery snacks, and high calorie treats as he worked to build up his own business over the past few years.

The 54-year-old cabbie tipped the scales at a hefty 23 stone and admits he struggled to carry out every day tasks such tying his own shoelaces and walking up stairs.

But the “tipping point” for a change Billy’s lifestyle came earlier this year when he was left “embarrassed” at his reflection after squeezing into an ill-fitting black suit to attend the funeral of mum-in-law Nan.

New look: Billy and Lesley Gray

The following day Billy decided to ditch the takeaways, burger vans and chocolate binges and signed up to a healthy eating and exercise plan devised by fitness professional Daniel Renton.

He was joined on the new health journey by wife Lesley, 52, and together the couple have lost an incredible 75 pounds between them in just 14 weeks.

The trim pair, from Prestonpans, East Lothian, are also the talk of their hometown after a video of them chatting about their new lifestyle went viral and has at the last count been viewed more than 6000 times.

Dad-of-two Billy said: “Signing up to Daniel’s course has really been a lifesaver for Lesley and I. We were quite lazy in our eating and were getting bigger and less healthy each year.

Before: Lesley Gray

“But the tipping point for me was when I caught my reflection in a window while I attended Lesley’s mum’s funeral in April.

“I thought I looked alright after squeezing into my black suit, but was so embarrassed at how big and unhealthy I looked I decided there and then to do something about it.

“Lesley was really keen too, so we contacted Daniel and he put an exercise and healthy eating plan into place for us - it really has been life changing.

“The lockdown came at a good time for us and we could concentrate on ourselves and our health and we have been amazed at the progress we have made.

Before: Billy Gray

“I feel so good at the moment having lost the weight and we have also grown closer as a couple as we are doing a lot more things together now.”

Lesley, who works for teaching union EIS, has also dropped a couple of dress sizes in her battle with the bulge which she admits has lasted for “as long as I can remember”.

She said: “We have got a long way to go to reach our target but the last few months have really changed our lives.

“We are a lot happier and our mental health has improved so much. We are really enjoying the healthy meals and the exercise is doing us the world of good.

“It is just a matter of being sensible and we can still treat ourselves once in a while which also helps.”

Fitness guru and lifestyle coach Daniel, who runs Momentum NRG Fitness Online, said he was “delighted” with Billy and Lesley’s progress and the couple’s dedication to changing their lifestyle.

Daniel, 39, said: “Billy and Lesley have done amazingly well over the lockdown period and we at Momentum NRG are very proud of them.

“They have stuck to the plan I devised for them and they have been really committed to not just losing the weight, but to changing their lifestyle in general.

“It just goes to show that being organised and dedicated to the new exercise and eating regime can do for you in such a short space of time.”

Lesley added: “People have asked us the cost of the course but just we say you can’t put a price on your health - money is no good to you if you can’t spend it.

“We felt we were heart attacks waiting to happen and had so many bad habits like snacking, convenience foods, take aways and being too tired to cook proper meals.

“A mini break leaves memories but Daniel’s course changes your life and to be honest we would have paid twice the amount to feel this good.”

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