FORMER The Only Way Is Essex star James Argent has been spotted looking slimmer than ever as he boxes at the gym.
The reality TV star has shed an incredible 13 stone after undergoing life-saving gastric bypass surgery last year to kick start his weight loss journey.
James, 34, could be seen showing off his boxing skills as he underwent a training session at the Essex Fight Academy near his home in Epping.
He looked to be setting a new goal to fight in a boxing match as he sparred with trainer Tom McDonnell in the social media clip.
The TV star looked slimmer than ever as he threw punches at his trainer, who shouted instructions in his direction as they moved round the ring.
“Boxing match this year? Could be another goal for me! Who should I fight?” James captioned the video, before posting a series of behind-the-scenes snaps.
He smiled for a photo next to pal Tom, who took to his Instagram to gush over James’ weight-loss by showing an impressive before and after.
“It’s crazy what a year can do,” the trainer wrote, showing James looking noticeably bigger in one shot, before sharing his latest ringside snaps.
It comes days after James revealed how he was told to put ON weight by doctors after shedding 13 stone “too quickly” following his surgery.
The Towie star lost weight so quickly after his surgery that he now has to go for regular check ups to check he isn’t slimming down too far.
Arg said: “I’ve lost a little bit more than what I wanted to, so I want to get more toned, bulk up a little bit and maybe even put on half a stone.”
The 34-year-old weight 27.5st at his heaviest and doctors predicted it would take him 18 months to reach his goal weight of 15st 7lb.
But just three months after the operation he is already down to 14.5st.
Arg has been training with best mate and personal trainer Mark Wright, and he says his pal is always there for him – no matter what.
“We’ve trained together on the weights and he’s always a phone call away,” he said. “Whether it’s weight problems, girl problems or anything else, Mark is always the person I turn to.”
After swapping his drug and alcohol dependency for food addiction, Arg joked to the Mirror that he needs to be careful he doesn’t end up with a shopping habit now none of his clothes fit.
He said: “The only thing I’ve really got to watch is that I don’t turn into a shopaholic, because I’ve had to clear out my whole wardrobe.
“I never imagined my life would be like this. I feel confident, much more energetic, happier and healthier. I’m buzzing off life.”
Arg previously opened up to The Sun about what life was like when he was bingeing – confessing that he shut himself off from the world.
He said: “Bingeing made me tired and lethargic so I’d make plans every day to meet friends, do a job or achieve something.
“But after I binged, I was so exhausted I’d end up just staying in bed and not leaving the house. Then one afternoon my mum found me in bed and started crying.
“She said, ‘I don’t recognise my son any more.’ That was a big wake-up call.
“Also, I reached the heaviest I’ve ever been in the height of the pandemic and doctors said I was dicing with death because I’ve got bad asthma and was morbidly obese, which was the worst possible combination if I was to catch Covid.”
