Chasing goals: Amazing Loser Steve Swan
This week’s Amazing Loser Steve joined MAN v FAT Challenge to give him a weight loss boost – the weekly goals gave him something to focus on, and the team spirit helped to encourage him to shift those stubborn pounds. Here’s his story.
Name: Steve Swan
Age: 62
Location: Bridgwater
Height: 5ft 7
Start weight: 108kg (17st, 238lbs)
Current weight: 97kg (15st 3.8lbs, 213.8lbs)
Weight lost: 11kg (1st 10.3lbs, 24.3lbs)
How did you get to the position where you needed to lose weight?
Too much beer and food during lockdown, and very little exercise.
What was the moment that made you decide to change?
When I read the scales reading 17 stone!
You’re a MAN v FAT Challenge member. How were the first few weeks?
I’ve done MAN v FAT Football in the past, so I got into the swing of it quite easily. I’ve always been good at setting myself targets, I just needed a reason.
I’ve yo-yoed with my weight for 30 years, I just had to get back into it. I liked the format of Challenge, and I knew Roger Smith (Challenge coach and MAN v FAT legend) so thought I’d give it a go.
It keeps me focused and part of a team, which has been a huge help. It keeps me involved seven days a week.
If you’re thinking of joining Challenge, go for it! You do it at your own pace and you might find you have a hidden talent.
What did you eat before you lost weight?
No breakfast. Lunch would be two sandwiches with crisps and Coke.
My evening meal would be a curry with the works.
I’d also have snacks of crisps and chocolate throughout the afternoon, and most evenings I’d have biscuits and cheese and half bottle of red wine.
What do you eat now?
Breakfast is porridge and a banana.
Lunch is usually soup or one sandwich, with a 600 calorie meal in the evening. No wine or cheese!
What has been the most difficult thing about losing weight?
Cutting out booze. But the pubs were closed for a good while so that helped!
You can easily cut out home drinking if you just don’t buy it in the first place, so that’s what I’ve been doing.
How has life changed now that you’ve lost weight?
I am now fitter, I sleep better, and my clothes don’t make me look like a sausage anymore.
Time for a shout-out! Who has helped you lose weight, and how have they supported you?
Dean Bax, who is captain of the Ace Tempuras team. He’s always there with encouragement and a laugh.
If you could go back to the person you were at your heaviest, what would you say to him?
You should have done this 20 years ago!
Now that you’ve lost weight, what are your next steps? Do you plan to lose more, or are you planning on maintaining your weight? What are your plans for doing this?
I am looking at continuing with Challenge, and I’ll be aiming to get my BMI down below 30.
You’re Prime Minister for the day – what would you do to help combat the current obesity crisis?
I’d encourage young people’s sport.
What three things do other fat man need to know about losing weight?
- You need to hit a calorie defecit.
- Every little bit counts.
- Keep a food diary.
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