Not only has Amazing Loser Simon boosted his confidence and happiness by starting to lose weight, but he’s also managed to reverse his diabetes, which is an incredible feat. Here’s how he did it.
Name: Simon Cross
Age: 36
Location: Bath
Occupation: Fabrication engineer
Height: 6’2
Start weight: 170kg (26st 10.8, 374.8lbs)
Current weight: 138kg (21st 10.2 304.2lbs)
Weight lost: 32kg (5st 0.5, 70.5lbs)
How did you get to the position where you needed to lose weight?
I’d been having a lot of takeaways and eating a lot of fast food, and I wasn’t very active which led to medical problems.
What negative experiences did you have of being overweight?
I was diagnosed with diabetes and being so overweight put strain on my heart. I also just felt tired all the time and was totally fed up.
What made you decide to change?
I didn’t feel like myself anymore, and I didn’t want my health to get any worse.
What did you start doing to lose weight, and how were the first few days and weeks?
I started with just dieting. I tried to eat healthier foods, tried to exercise regularly. The first week or so was difficult adjusting to it, but I stuck with and it now it just feels normal.
What did you eat before you lost weight?
A cooked breakfast every morning, mostly takeaway or fast food for dinner and snacking on chocolate crisps and biscuits throughout the day.
What do you eat now?
A healthy breakfast, usually 2 Weetabix with fruit. For lunch, I have a salad with ham or chicken, and for my evening meal, I usually use a Slimming World recipe. If i snack throughout the day it’s only on fruit now.
You’re a MAN v FAT Football member. Why did you join?
Well, the first thing was obviously to lose weight, but I also joined to get back to playing football. I wasn’t in a good enough condition health-wise, and I didn’t have the confidence to join other teams or to play with people who were fitter.
Joining MAN v FAT Football has helped me with portion size control, knowing which foods to eat and which to avoid, and I get really good advice from my club’s coach. Going to my weekly MAN v FAT Football session to weigh in helps to keep me on track. Joining is one of the best decisions I’ve made in a long time.
What has been the most difficult thing about losing weight?
Sticking with the diet, not snacking and keeping the motivation up to exercise. I try not to give in to temptation – instead of chocolate, I’ll have an apple, and I push myself to exercise when I feel too tired.
How has life changed now that you’ve lost weight?
I’m happier and more confident. Losing weight has helped medically – I’ve managed to reverse my diabetes so I’m no longer a diabetic!
Time for a shout-out! Who has helped you lose weight, and how have they supported you?
I’d like to thank Geoff, my MAN v FAT Football coach for his advice, tips, recipes and all the support he gives at weigh-in every week.
My teammates who welcomed me to the team and who make it fun every week, and my sister who has helped me by teaching me Slimming World recipes, how to cook properly and has given me continued support.
If you could go back to the person you were at your heaviest, what would you say to him?
I’d tell myself to stop making excuses for why I shouldn’t do it, and I’d tell him to just believe in himself.
Now that you’ve lost weight, what are your next steps?
I’m still well off my final weight goal so I plan on staying with MAN v FAT for as long as needed.
What three things do other fat men need to know about losing weight?
- There are guys out there in the same boat.
- You’ll feel better about yourself by losing weight.
- MAN v FAT makes losing weight fun.
