"Dad, I didn't know you could run!" Obese dad loses 9st in six months so he can play with his daughter

Obese dad Chris Willis lost 9st in six months so he can play with his daughter SWNS

A morbidly obese dad lost 9st in just six months after he became too fat to play with his ten year-old daughter, Sophie.

Chris Willis, 47, weighed 27st 7lbs and needed an inhaler to give him enough breath to walk a few yards.

"But the hardest thing was seeing my little girl in the garden and not being able to join in because I was so unhealthy," said the painter and decorator from Shepreth, Cambridgeshire.

And so, after a lifetime of fry-ups, takeaways and pork pies, Chris cut out all the fatty foods and began exercising.

Chris used to tuck into an incredible 5,000 calories a day, before he switched to a healthy lifestyle.

Obese dad lost 9st in six months so he can play with his daughter
SWNS Chris at the start of his bid to lose weight

He used to eat five slices of buttered toast for breakfast before a full English breakfast as a mid-morning meal. He would then eat a sandwich, a large pack of crisps and a pasty for lunch before chomping on a whole packet of biscuits in the afternoon. And for dinner he would get through a curry, ice cream, and sink four pints of beer, before snacking throughout the evening.

Now he claims he still eats the same amount - but has simply cut out the unhealthy fatty foods.

He now weighs 16st 7lbs after losing a stone-and-a-half every month since July.

"A few months ago when I started getting active again I remember chasing my daughter around the garden," Chris said.

"When she suddenly turned around with an amazed look on her face and said, 'Daddy, I didn't know you could run'."

Delighted Sophie said: "I'm so proud of my dad. It's brilliant being able to run around and play with him."

"My family and friends have been so supportive and my wife and daughter are so pleased for me," said Chris. "

In fact it's them I did it for more than anyone else.

"The whole journey has been amazing and I am still shocked myself that I have managed to lose so much weight." Chris is now aiming for a new target weight of 15st.

Obese dad lost 9st in six months so he can play with his daughter SWNS

More on Parentdish: Are you a good exercise role model?

10 ways to keep your family fit

Don't spare the horses
 Horse riding is great for improving posture, burning fat and keeping the body active. If you've never clambered aboard one of these amazing animals before, then one hour of riding will soon see you groaning at the aches and pains in new places. Horse riding can be tackled by anyone at any age except, of course, pregnant mums and newborn babes.
Try two wheels
 Cycling is something that the entire family can enjoy and children love it. Teaching kids to cycle can be a tad challenging, fortunately <a href="http://www.sustrans.org.uk/assets/files/leaflets/sustrans_cyclingwithchildren_March08.pdf" target="_blank">Sustrans </a>has a handy guide on how to introduce your kids to cycling and tips on keeping safe while on the roads. Then took a look at the <a href="http://www.sustrans.org.uk/what-we-do/national-cycle-network)" target="_blank">National Cycle Network </a> for scenic and traffic-free routes in your area.
Beat a drum
 Learning how to play the drums is both satisfying and healthy. Drumming increases the heart rate, encourages you to use the whole body and helps with co-ordination and muscle control. It's also enormous fun. Choose between lessons or family drumming days and unleash your inner rock star.
Just roll with it
 Rollerblades, rollerskates, skateboards and scooters are fun and a great way to get about if the idea of walking makes your kids hide under the sofa. You may think that a mum (or dad!) zooting along the pavement beside their kids looks a bit, well, daft but it is a growing craze with oodles of health benefits. The ever popular <a href="http://www.micro-scooters.co.uk/mums-fit.php" target="_blank">Micro Scooters</a> have just launched a Mum's Scooter Club with fitness ideas for women and kids.
Go walking
 Walk to school, walk to the shops, walk to the park and just keep on going. Little ones can handle a fairly steady pace and, if it's quite a hike, take along some water and a healthy snack. The simple stride has oodles of <a href="http://www.ramblers.org.uk/info/everyone/health.html" target="_blank">health benefits,</a> is easy to do, doesn't need special equipment and it's free.
Get gaming
 A recent study by a professor of Exercise Science at BYU proved that <a href="http://www.parentdish.co.uk/2011/07/01/why-my-children-dont-need-wii-hab/" target="_blank">exergames</a> (exercise games) burn sufficient calories to form part of a valid exercise regime. This means that you can enjoy Wii Boxing without feeling guilty. Most fitness and dance games are available for all three consoles (Wii, Xbox 360, Playstation 3) and some of the best include <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Take-2-Nickelodeon-Fit-Wii/dp/B004KJECWO" target="_blank">Nickelodeon Fit,</a><a href="http://www.ubi.com/UK/Games/Info.aspx?pId=9410" target="_blank">Dance Juniors </a>, <a href="http://www.majescoentertainment.com/games/display_game.php?PLTFRM=kinect-for-xbox-360&GN=zumba-fitness" target="_blank">Zumba Fitness </a>, <a href="http://www.ubi.com/US/Games/Info.aspx?pId=9808" target="_blank">Just Dance 3</a> and <a href="http://www.konami.com/games/walk-it-out" target="_blank">Walk it Out</a>.
Try yoga
 Yoga is a brilliant way to keep fit and supple and it is available in all sorts of flavours. You can start out healthy with <a href="http://www.nct.org.uk/courses/antenatal-courses/nct-yoga-pregnancy" target="_blank">pregnancy yoga</a>, follow up with baby yoga, upgrade to classes for kids aged two and up, and even use <a href="http://www.google.co.uk/search?q=yoga+for+kids&tbo=p&tbm=vid&source=vgc&hl=en&aq=f" target="_blank">YouTube</a>. You’ll find classes in your area through the NCT for pregnant mums and the well known <a href="http://www.yogabugs.com/home.aspx" target="_blank">Yoga Bugs </a> offer courses across the UK.
Create an obstacle course at home
 Whip up an obstacle course <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00gmmv8)" target="_blank">Total Wipeout</a> style  and prepare to be amazed at how much fun you all have. Suck in your gut, sweep your legs back and forth and convert yourself into the Crazy Sweeper while giggling offspring jump over your limbs. You'll get a whopping workout while they burn off energy. Turn yourself into the Sucker Punch, jump from one cushion to another, or clamber around the room without touching the floor.
Skip to my Lou
 According to the <a href="http://www.brsa.org.uk/pages/skip-yourself-fit.htm" target="_blank">British Rope Skipping Foundation</a> a ten minute session of skipping has the same health benefits as a 45 minute run. The sun is shining, summer is here, so haul yourselves into the garden and get that rope turning. If you can't remember how to skip, your kids will only be too happy to help, and laughing at a parent is a great motivator.
Take a dip
 Swimming falls into the category of vigorous exercise and is excellent for buoyant workouts that allow for all levels of fitness. Whether you hover in the shallow end playing with your water wary children or throw down some lengths, you will be moving muscles and burning fat. And thanks to lovely heated pools you don't have to plunge your shivering body into icy water in winter.