It feels hard to believe, but since last December, I've been on a real mission. A mission to eat a bit less, move a whole lot more, and generally take better care of myself. Today, I’m genuinely chuffed to announce that all this conscious effort has paid off in a massive way: I’ve shed a whopping 16 kilograms
I had a health review and they were at pains to point out that I was dangerously obese. That was a wake-up call, a clear sign that something had to change for my long-term health and just, well, feeling better. Fast forward to today, and while I’m not quite at my "ideal" weight yet, I’ve managed to shift myself into the "merely overweight" category. Honestly, for me, that’s a victory.
giving up alcohol for several months. That decision alone had such a surprising impact, not just on the calories I was consuming, but on my energy levels and just feeling clearer in the head. It also totally broke a really ingrained bad habit: having drinks and then, of course, the snacks, while watching TV in the evenings. Instead, Kath and I swapped those out for herbal tea – a simple switch that’s made a huge difference in cutting out mindless evening calories. Coupled with being more mindful about what I was eating, the kilograms just steadily started to melt away.
m"Move more" for me wasn't just about pottering around; it was about getting back to something I already loved. I was already a runner, having completed the London Marathon in 2024. So, while I can't really say I discovered the running bug, this journey has certainly reignited it in a big way! During this time, I've trained for and proudly completed the Wilmslow Half Marathon and the Great Run Manchester 10K. Each time I crossed one of those finish lines, it felt like a real physical sign of my progress, solid proof that my body was getting stronger and way more capable. Next up on the horizon is the incredible, and slightly terrifying, challenge of the Chicago Marathon.
It's been a fascinating transformation, not just when I step on the scales, but in everyday life too. My clothes are practically swimming on me these days – I’ve actually had to go down one to two full sizes! In fact, my old trousers were so big, I literally had to go out and buy new ones just so they’d stay up. It’s such a strange, but honestly wonderful, feeling to pull on a pair of jeans that used to be snug and now they just hang comfortably
This whole thing isn't just about the number on the scale; it's genuinely about reclaiming my health and feeling more vibrant, more energetic, and a whole lot more confident. It's a brilliant reminder that sometimes, the most satisfying progress you make is when you're charting a downward course – especially when that frees you up to achieve even bigger, upward-trending goals like marathon training!
I'm really excited to keep going on this path and see where it takes me next. If you're on a similar journey, or even just thinking about starting one, just know that small, consistent changes really do add up to big results.
