A DETERMINED dad has shed nearly seven stone and completed his first half marathon after vowing to change his ways.

Chris Barker, from Barrow, committed himself to improving his fitness at the start of the year but never anticipated the mind and body transformation it would lead to.

The 31-year-old pledged to 'sort himself out' after struggling to walk when returning home from a hard day's work.

He began running, altered his diet and joined a local fitness class five times a week.

"It all started at the beginning of the year," the Sovereign Chemicals worker said.

"I would get home from work, sit down and struggle to walk after.

"I thought I need to change my ways before I get some serious health problems. I was on a downward slope. I stepped onto the scales and thought I need to sort myself out."

Mr Barker began his fitness journey in February at 21 stone and unable to run less than a mile.

Ten months later, the dad-of-two is seven stone lighter and has just completed his first half marathon.

He said: "When I first started, I struggled running up Park Drive without stopping. I couldn't do 600 metres without stopping for a breath.

"Now I've just done the Coniston to Barrow and completed my first half marathon in Lancaster this weekend.

"I can't believe how far I've come nine months later. The aim next year would be to do a full marathon.

"I never thought when I first started that I'd be doing marathons. I just wanted to get up to completing a 5km run.

"I started out running a 5km in 45 minutes and now I'm at 23 minutes. Running is almost addictive, I really enjoy it, it refocuses you."

Mr Barker said he is the fittest he has ever been - and is urging others to find time to focus on their health.

He said: "I never thought I was unhappy before but since losing the weight I'm a much happier person.

"It's amazing how much it can boost your mental health.

"I don't really diet as such but I'm careful what I eat. The first few months I lost the weight quickly - about a stone a month. And now I'm just steadily maintaining my weight.

"I'm half the man I was before. I'm the fittest I've ever been.

"My advice to anyone looking to start running and fitness: go out and do it, it doesn't have to be anything big. Just start with a five minute run. Everyone's biggest excuse is that they don't have time but you can make time.

"In a busy life, you can always find time to do it.

"It's really hard at the beginning but the more you do it, the more enjoyable it is."