Yahoo News Welsh man drops 8 stone in a year after ditching this one habit
A man has shed an impressive eight stone in just one year after he decided to ditch his habit of eating on the go. Mike Workman, a 33 year old from Maesteg, Bridgend, felt uncomfortably conspicuous while on holiday in Turkey last year, believing that he was drawing attention for all the wrong reasons.
"I just felt very self-conscious, like all eyes on me, for the wrong reasons. I was struggling to walk because of the heat, I just felt generally uncomfortable with myself," said Mike. He realised the urgent need to address his weight-induced anxiety and pledged to join Slimming World immediately upon his return.
The year 2020 was particularly tough for Mike as he lost both his grandparents within a short span, which deeply affected him due to their close bond. To cope with his grief, he resorted to emotional eating.
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His job as a carer meant he was often on the road, leading to frequent stops at shops for meals, where he'd choose high-calorie, sugary snacks.
Determined to kick this unhealthy habit, Mike embraced the Slimming World plan. At his first group meeting, he tipped the scales at 22 stone and 6 1/2 lbs, reports Wales Online.Just one week later, he had already lost 8lbs, much to his amazement.
"My meals were already okay, but it was the in between that was bad. And it can be as easy or as hard as you want it to be. So breakfast is now either an omelette or we do a full breakfast Slimming World style, then lunch would be some sort of pasta dish or soup. Evening meals then it can be anything, we do a lot of spaghetti bolognese and chicken curries."
Mike credits his weight loss success to planning ahead for his busy workdays, ensuring he has healthy meals prepared in advance to avoid falling back on fast food and snacks which contributed to his weight gain.
The Slimming World diet categorises foods into 'free', 'speed', 'healthy extras', and 'syns'. 'Free' foods include proteins, pastas, potatoes, and certain vegetables; 'speed' foods are mostly fruits and vegetables; 'healthy extras' comprise dairy and fibre-rich options; and 'syns' cover treats like biscuits, crisps, dips, and sauces.
Followers of the Slimming World plan are encouraged to fill at least one-third of their plate with 'speed' foods, while 'free' foods are unlimited. Both 'healthy extras' and 'syns' must be carefully portioned and tracked.
In less than a year since joining Slimming World, Mike has shed an impressive eight and a half stone, reaching his healthy target weight of 13st 13lb. He plans to maintain this weight through the diet.
His journey has been so enjoyable that he's decided to start his own Slimming World group in the Afan Valley from next month. His husband, James, who also followed the Slimming World plan with him, has lost 3st 4lb.
Mike encourages those considering drastic measures like weight loss surgery or injections to give it "one last go" and join a Slimming World group. He said: "Give it everything you have got, you can make it as hard or as easy as you like."
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