Belfast dad's Christmas Day health scare led to 4st weight loss

A dad-of-two has opened up about how a Christmas health scare two years ago prompted a major lifestyle change and 4 stone weight loss.

Martin Tolan, 57 and from south Belfast, works for a medical logistics company and says he had struggled with his weight for decades.. He has been married for over 30 years to Julia and has two kids, Ciara, 24, and 22-year-old Joseph.

Since he was around 30 years of age Martin says he was aware that he was overweight. He avoided being in photographs or video footage when possible and became less and less active after a football injury resulted in 90% of the cartridge being removed from his left knee.

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He explained. "I was instructed by my surgeon not to run or do any activity that caused impact to the remaining 10% of cartilage. I followed his instructions to the letter of the law and basically stopped any form of exercise.

"Up until my injury I would have regularly played football, squash and been able to run when absolutely necessary. I would have eaten and drank what I wanted when I wanted with no real concern for the damage I was doing to my health or what medical disaster was waiting for me on the horizon."

Waking up at 2am on Christmas Day 2022 to discover that he had suffered a stroke, was the final straw for Martin to change his ways.

He recalled: "I was alone in bed and unable to move or call for help. The left side of my body was paralysed and I was gripped with fear that I had never experienced before. The Christmas holiday period was spent on a ward with three other stroke victims, who were greatly impacted.

"I was the lucky one and I was able to walk and communicate. I had made it to the hospital and received treatment before the stroke had left me with life-changing injuries. Whilst on the ward I had a one to one chat with a consultant who told me a few home truths and gave me a list of 50 items to avoid eating, 49 of which I regularly consumed.

"The words 'obese, lucky and major changes are required in your mindset' made me feel humble and embarrassed. Older family members had previously suffered and died from strokes so I should have been more aware.

"Looking back I also feel ashamed of how having a stroke scarred and greatly upset my family. As I said before, I was the lucky one, time for me to take control and improve my health," he added.

Martin says being overweight had led to high blood pressure and high cholesterol and with very low level of general fitness.

He said: "I would have been out of breath whilst doing minor tasks. I was diagnosed with sleep apnea and issued a CPAP machine by my doctor to aid my breathing while sleeping. My snoring was incredibly loud apparently.

"Since losing weight I no longer have high blood pressure and my cholesterol is normal. I have been able to return the CPAP machine back to the NHS because I no longer need it. My wife Julia is so glad I no longer snore but sleep in silence!

"I am now very comfortable walking long distances with our dog Eddie and no longer have to stop for breathers or pretend there is a stone in my shoe just to give my pounding heart a break. My goal is to recommence playing badminton which I played as a teenager and would dearly love to start again."

Before he joined his local Slimming World group at Cairnshill Methodist Church on the Saintfield Road, Martin was tipping the scales at 18st 12 but with the help of his consultant Sarah Jane Middleton, he has dropped to 14 stone 12.5 - and from 2XL clothes size to L.

He said: "I approached joining Slimming World as commencing a lifestyle change and not starting a diet. I was not convinced it would work or that I would have the discipline to continue my journey so I challenged myself to document weight loss milestones. I began to photograph myself holding the equivalent loss converted to bags of sugar.

"My wife, the photographer and I would go to our local Sainsbury’s and take the snap. Yes we did get funny looks especially when I was holding 26 bags of granulated sugar. I could not believe that I had been carrying around the extra weight for so many years - no wonder I always felt exhausted!

"My favourite meal has always been steak, chips and mushrooms. I now know how to prepare this the Slimming World way. I have always loved potatoes and rice but instead of deep frying, nowadays these are either air fried or boiled. My downfall and very good friends were the 3 B’s…. bread, biscuits and beer.

"Since joining my local Slimming World group I am happy to report that myself and the 3,B’s are no longer on speaking terms and I don’t miss them one bit. There are always healthier alternatives. In our household I cook the evening meals.

"I always used Slimming World recipes for our family favourites, spaghetti bolognaise, chilli, curry, paella, cottage pie. At work, I would eat fruit instead of biscuits and chicken salad instead of fried takeout food.

"I really enjoy how good it feels being part of a group with everyone on the same journey for many various personal reasons. The camaraderie, fun, support and shared experiences and knowledge attained is priceless while also discovering how bad, unhealthy and damaging fast foods, processed foods and alcohol are to the human body.

"Yes exercise is important but losing weight it’s all about what food you put in your mouth. The message to my previous self would be to focus on food quality and sensible cooking methods. I love the buzz I get from receiving compliments on my weight loss achievement. My family and friends are super proud of me. I feel healthier and my doctor was delighted with my progress and determination to change."

To find your nearest group just log on to www.slimmingworld.co.uk.

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