James Argent sets new 14st weight loss target as he bins XXL clothes after gastric surgery
JAMES Argent has made a new weight loss aim and joked to pals he plans to be "half the man be used to be".
The Towie star - whose weight ballooned to 27 stone in lockdown - had previously said he hoped to shed 10 stone.
But he's now switched his ambition to losing HALF his body weight and wants to drop from 27 stone to 13 stone.
And he’s staying focused on his weight loss crusade by binning all his XXL clothes so he doesn’t fall back into bad ways.
The 33-year-old who was seen singing in an impromptu performance at a couple’s wedding over the weekend has already lost more than six stone so is well on the way to achieving his aim.
A pal said: “James has never felt better in his life and the weight has dropped off far more quickly than he ever expected. It's made him realise he can lose even more weight so he plans to just go for it.
"The only downside is he is having to buy a whole new wardrobe. But he’s binning those items he no longer wears or which drown him so he’s not tempted to pile back on the pounds. James is making a change for life.”
We revealed last month the former TOWIE star ballooned to 27 stone and was “terrified” to leave the house because he was ashamed of how he looks.
But now following a gastric-op he has already lost more than SIX STONE and he has no intention of stopping there. His next ambition is to swim the channel and he is even considering one day running a marathon.
The reality TV star recently spoke candidly on Steph’s Packed Lunch on how “scary” it felt to have tipped the scales at 27 stone.
Arg shocked fans last year when he ballooned in weight during lockdown, admitting he swapped his drink and drug addiction for food.
Detailing how he felt prior to the surgery, he told the Channel 4 show host: “It felt horrible, I was always extremely uncomfortable, I couldn’t look at myself in the mirror.
“It felt depressing and it just wasn’t me. Now I’m starting to feel like myself again and I’m excited about what the future is going to bring.
“It was scary being 27 stone… It was serious, doctors were telling me how dangerous it was… I knew it was something I had to address pretty quickly.”
Arg added: “I’m four stone lighter now. It’s a really good start. Four stone out of 11 or 12 might seem like a drop in the ocean but I’m pleased I’ve made progress already.
“I feel so much happier already, I feel healthier already, I’m lighter on my toes, I’m more confident. I’m really loving life at the moment.”
Gushing over the gastric sleeve op, he hailed it “the best thing I’ve ever done.”
He is now six weeks post-op and said the surgery helped most with his portion control.
Gemma Collins’ ex said: “I can still eat what I want now, it’s down to me what I put inside my mouth. It helps me with portion control.
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“It helps me physically, I’ve still got to do a lot of work to make sure I’m all good mentally.”
Talking of how fame played a part in his embarrassment over his figure, Arg revealed: “It can be a lot of pressure… There were times when I was at my biggest I did feel uncomfortable about leaving the house and sometimes I’d wait until it was dark before leaving the house because I’d be conscious about having pictures taken of me…”
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He added: “Now I’m in a place where I’m on this journey, I’m losing weight gradually and accepting the way I look now.”
Arg recently revealed his surgery wounds from the operation which saved his life.