After tipping the scales at a hefty 18 and a half stone, Martin Shirran was shocked into finally addressing his increasing bulk.

But instead of banning certain food groups or hitting the gym, the 62-year-old from Northampton managed to lose six stone using mind tricks to fool his brain into thinking his stomach had shrunk.

Unlike a traditional gastric band, which requires invasive surgery to reduce the size of the stomach, the Gastric Mind Band method - pioneered by his wife Marion - is all down to thoughts.

Martin Shirran tipped the scales at 18 and a half stone when he decided to embark on his weight loss mission

Martin, who now lives in southern Spain, had 'always struggled with his weight' due to his big appetite and love of food.

'My favourite treat was a curry and a few lagers. I also loved a fry up and regularly snacked on chocolate bars,' he said.

But he realised things needed to change after seeing photographs of his wedding day.

'It was a fantastic day but when I looked at the photos later I hated the way I looked,' he said.

'Marion was stunning but standing there next to her in the photos was a fat bloke in a suit – me.'

Ironically, at the time, the pair were working with Cognitive Behaviour Therapy and hypnotherapy methods to help people lose weight.

Martin was 'sick of feeling out of shape' so trialled wife Marion's Gastric Mind Band method to great success

'We had discussed developing a dedicated weight loss treatment together born out of Marion's belief that most obese people are driven to over-eat by psychological factors,' he said.

'It made sense for Marion to try out her new ideas on me. I was sick of feeling so out of shape but I wasn't sure if I could ever change my ways.'

Five foot eight inch Martin was more than 18 stone before the treatment began – well into the obese zone on medical body charts.

Marion was stunning but standing there next to her in the photos was a fat bloke in a suit – me

Supportive Marion led him through a number of sessions which totally changed his relationship with food.

'I was introduced to the idea that my stomach was shrinking, that I wanted to eat smaller portions and to eat less often, also interestingly to the idea that the taste of alcohol was no longer quite as appealing as in the past,' he said.

He explained that after the first session he underwent a 'metabolic fingerprinting' procedure to discover his resting metabolic rate, which was 1,710, meaning that his body would burn 1,710 calories a day without any extra activity.

'I spent the second session holding a 1lb jar of simulated medical human fat, not a pleasant sight or memory,' he said.

As the sessions continued Martin was told how his stomach was shrinking and always getting smaller.

'During another session I alternated between holding a melon, and a golf ball in my hand,' he said.

'I was told to visualise the heavy melon as my large existing stomach and the little golf ball as my new miniature replacement.'

Supportive Marion led Martin through a number of sessions which totally changed his relationship with food

Then in session number four Martin, who has now written a book about his weight loss, had a Gastric Mind Band fitted.

'As expected, I continue eating portions as if my stomach is the size of a golf ball,' he said.

Marion gives each of her clients a personalised Gastric Mind Band golf ball, to place on the table next to their plate every time they eat, even if it is in a restaurant.

The thinking being that when you sit in a restaurant with a menu and a golf ball in front of you it focuses your mind.

'After nine weeks my weight had dropped to 96 kilos or just over 15 stone,' he said.

'I was amazed at how easy it all was. I felt so much better but a doctor friend suggested I carry on and bring my weight down further.

'Eventually my weight fell to just 12 and a half stone – six stone below what it had been at my heaviest point. I felt like a whole new person.

'Seeing the weight evaporate from my body was an almost unbelievable experience. Being able to just pop into normal clothes shops and buy whatever I wanted was something I had never been able to experience.'

Martin said he relaxed his diet a little after Marion suggested he had lost too much weight.

'When I got down to 12 and a half stone everyone, including my wife, thought I was starting to look 'drawn' it seems that around 13 stone is the right weight for me, so now I eat to maintain that.'

Now Martin is a happy walking endorsement for the non surgical Gastric Mind Band treatment pioneered by Marion.

The couple have trademarked the phrases 'Gastric Mind Band' and 'GM band' and now help dozens of overweight people to change their lives.

Now Martin is a happy walking endorsement for the non surgical Gastric Mind Band treatment pioneered by Marion

Those turning up for treatment at the couple's exclusive clinic near Marbella include many business leaders and celebrities.

Martin added that people who say they are happy being overweight or obese are missing out on life.

'It does not matter what people say, everything is better when you are slim. Sex is better, buying clothes is better, spending the day on the beach is better,' he said.

It does not matter what people say, everything is better when you are slim. Sex is better, buying clothes is better, spending the day on the beach is better Martin Shirran

'Having improved confidence, energy and health is definitely a plus. Being able to put the tray down on a flight without it pushing into your belly is also nice.

'I also feel a little angry. I was overweight for so many years. If I had known how easy it was, how it is the psychology around food and eating that leads to bad choices, then I could have done this decades ago.'

Martin now runs the Elite Clinic in Spain where clients regularly fly in from the UK and beyond for the treatment.

'At the clinic, I speak with people everyday that have flown around the world to meet us and have the GMB treatment, I more than most can empathise with them, with their feelings and emotions,' he said.

He and Marion have become sought-after speakers with many academics keen to learn more about their techniques. They have also written two books on the subject, published by Hay House.

'Being invited to speak at universities about our psychological approach to permanent weight loss and standing on the stage as a shinning example is very, very rewarding,' he said.