Weight loss does not come easy but Neil Davies, 59, has shared the secret behind his success.
He slimmed down from 26st 1lb to 20st 9lb, crediting a healthy diet plan free of processed food as a key part of his success.
Neil said: "I’ve struggled with my weight for around 20 years as I tended to overeat, and I’ve tried various weight loss regimes over the years that didn’t work for me.
“The turning point was the family holiday in Egypt where I wasn’t able to enjoy it properly, and that made me realise I needed to do something.
The slimmer shared his story
WEIGHT LOSS RIGA
“I was suffering in the heat, my mobility was fairly poor and I just wasn’t able to do as much as I wanted to with my family."
Neil, from Essex, would previously fill up on foods such as pizza and kebabs, often eating supersized portions. However, he decided it was time to make a change after struggling to enjoy his family holiday.
The 59-year-old swapped processed foods to healthy meals full of vegetables and fibre-rich carbohydrates. Neil explained: "Before, I was eating lots of pizzas, kebabs and ultra-processed foods, and I never really knew when to stop eating.
“Now, I am a lot more careful with my diet, and I eat more balanced meals with foods such as porridge, soups, meat, vegetables and pasta. I have a lot more energy and motivation and the weight loss has really changed my life for the better.”
Foods such as vegetables and porridge are great for weight loss as they are packed full of fibre and help slimmers to feel full for a long time, meaning they are less likely to reach for unhealthy snacks.
Meat is also high in protein which can also reduce the appetite and has been shown to speed up the metabolism - leading to fat burning.
As well as changing his lifestyle and diet plan, Neil kickstarted his results by getting gastric sleeve surgery at Weight Loss Riga in Latvia in September 2023.
Gastric sleeve surgery can be a helpful way to start a weight loss journey for those who are extremely overweight, but the decision to do this should not be taken lightly. Britons should consult with a doctor before going ahead with anything.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS
The slimmer would fill up on high fibre foods like porridge
GETTY
Not only has Neil lost five stone in five months, his life has changed in many ways as he is now full of energy.
The dieter said: "When I was heavier, I didn’t have a lot of motivation to get up and do things, I would sit at home and watch the world go by.
“Now, I have more energy than ever and I am able to move around so much better. My quality of life has improved loads. I have bought two motorbikes and I’m excited to use them to get out there more, and I volunteer at a local homeless outreach program to do what I can to help people."
This comes as a study suggested changing how you walk can make a "dramatic difference to fat-burning".