Decorated New Zealand sports commentator Hamish McKay has revealed how a confronting incident at the gym convinced him to lose 50kg via bariatric surgery.

McKay, 59, was left mortified and in no doubt he had to make some huge lifestyle changes after his stomach ‘popped out between his abdominals when doing a bench press.’

Highly embarrassed, the former sports presenter and rugby editor for 3 News spoke to his wife and then decided to make drastic changes.

After his weight ballooned to a concerning 135kg, McKay shed 15kg to prepare for his cosmetic surgery – and now weighs a much healthier 84kg.

As a result, McKay ‘feels like he has born in 1985’ and has a new lease on life.

‘You couldn’t be the lump of lard that I was….stopping halfway up a staircase to make sure nobody was watching while you gathered your breath,’ he told Stuff.

New Zealand sports commentator Hamish McKay has revealed how a confronting incident at the gym saw him decide to lose 50kg via bariatric surgery (pictured, pre-procedure)

McKay was mortified after his stomach ‘popped out between his abdominals’ when doing a bench press at the gym – he knew he had to address his problem (pictured, with his wife and daughter)

McKay also knew he had to make drastic life changes after his wife took a unflattering photo of him asleep on the couch at home (pictured)

Looking back, McKay can see he was ‘comfort eating’ – and now the real estate agent (right) cherishes every day, with an emphasis on fitness and a healthy lifestyle

‘I don’t take anything now and I was on all sorts of pills. Now I feel like I’ve got 15 to 20 years of a good working life.

‘You (also) don’t get in to have that operation unless you prove you’ve got the discipline to lose that weight in the first place.’

McKay also knew he had to make drastic life changes after his wife took an unflattering photo of him asleep on the couch at home.

It was far from flattering – and McKay was honest enough to admit he was battling physically.

He had onset diabetes type two, high blood pressure and dangerous levels of cholesterol.

‘I was death warmed up,’ McKay admitted when reflecting on the dark days of his life. 

‘I’m so bloody lucky I’m here to tell the story.’

Looking back, McKay can see he was ‘comfort eating’ after his decades-long TV career came to an end in 2016 – and now the real estate agent cherishes every day.