WEIGHT IS LIFTED OFF HIS SHOULDERS

FIVE years ago, Bill Sparks weighed 230kg, doctors told him he was at risk of losing a leg and he was on the brink of ending up in a wheelchair.

The Hobart man said he used to binge eat, drink alcohol regularly and smoked cigarettes, and candidly admits he may now be dead if he had not been able to turn things around.

Now, at 105kg lighter, he is a weight loss success story and is about to open his own gym in the Hobart CBD alongside friend Jacob Meyers, who has himself lost 40kg. Mr Sparks, 39, is hoping he and Mr Meyers can serve as inspiration for others in their weight loss and fitness journeys.

“I tried so many times to lose weight — I’d go for a while, and then fall off the wagon and it went on for 10- 15 years,’’ Mr Sparks said.

“I got to the stage where I was about to lose my leg and I just knew something had to change.

“The first year I lost 70kg and it took me about another 15 months to get the last 35kg off.”

At his worst stage, lesions starting showing up on one of his legs and doctors told him he was “one step away” from having gangrene that would have required the leg to be amputated. Mr Sparks said at that point, he had no energy and “hated every aspect of my life”.

The transformation to now could not be more striking.

“I love life. I’m a completely different person,’’ he said.

Mr Sparks, now a personal trainer, said his weight loss plan was simple — eating nutritious meals and giving up drinking and smoking.

His motivation for opening a gym is so he can inspire people to achieve their goals.

“I’m probably one of the worst [ cases] … but if I can do it, so can you,’’ he said.

“Do it for your kids, your family, your friends, do it for yourself. Never give up.”