I’d been a big lad since I was about nine years old, so it seemed normal for me – although I was always aware that my weight held me back. As I got older, I was slow, sluggish and had pain in my feet, legs and back all the time. I struggled to get up in the morning because it felt like so much effort, so I was always late for everything.
I’ve always loved singing, so alongside my day job as a car body repairer and painter, I sang at parties, weddings and other events. I had zero confidence, though, and would constantly be fidgeting and adjusting my clothes on stage because I was so uncomfortable. I’d started to feel that people only saw my weight rather than hearing my voice.
In 2021, things came to a head. I’d been off work for a while with a back injury – I was bedridden and relying on my family to look after me. I was just starting to get some mobility back when my kids, Riley and Amelia, asked me to take them on a ride at the fair. When we sat down, the safety bar wouldn’t close across me, and three staff had to try to push the bar down... with a crowd of people looking on. In the end, we all got off the ride. I felt as though the kids were embarrassed by me – and there and then, I vowed never to feel like that again.
I’d heard a bit about Slimming World and knew that it was about eating proper food, so it sounded like it could be a good fit for me. Before I joined, I’d thought the group would be full of women and older people, so I was quite surprised to find that I wasn’t the only man there. I was made to feel incredibly welcome, too.
From that first day in group, everyone was so supportive. My Consultant, Caroline, helped me to understand where my excess calories were coming from, and I realised that I was making unhealthy decisions when I was hungry and in a rush. To get around that, I started planning my meals, and the other group members gave me ideas for packed lunches to take to work, so I wasn’t grabbing something less healthy on the go.
My partner, Stacey, really supported me as well, and she was happy for us to adapt our evening meals so that they fitted with the Food Optimising eating plan. Slimming World burgers with sweet potato fries is one of our favourites – everything we eat is real food, so I never feel like I’m on a diet.
The Slimming World plan fits perfectly into family life. Find five family-friendly recipes here
Watch Mark talk about his life-changing journey
As the weight started coming off, I found I had loads more energy. Instead of sleeping through my alarm in the mornings, I was waking up feeling rested and ready for the day. I decided to give some activity a go, following Slimming World’s activity support programme. Weight training appealed to me because I knew it would help strengthen my back. I would never have set foot in a gym when I was heavier! And the kids love it when we do active things as a family now, like running around together at soft play – it’s something we just didn’t do before I joined Slimming World.
Another big change is that these days I run a cafe with Stacey, where we offer a healthier menu for anyone who wants a lighter option. It’s proving popular – and there’s no way I’d have thought to do that before losing weight myself.
At 9st lighter, I feel far more confident with my singing and DJing. I take opportunities I’d have turned down before and enjoy performing so much more because I know nobody’s talking about my weight – just how I sound. Music is something I’m passionate about, so now I feel ready to chase my dreams and sing as much as I can. There’s only one problem nowadays... it feels so good to walk into a shop and know clothes will fit me, I end up buying a new suit before every show!
Mark’s day on a plate
Before | After | |
---|---|---|
Breakfast | Large bacon, egg, sausage, hash brown, mushroom, cheese and black pudding sandwich. | Two Weetabix with semi-skimmed milk, strawberries and banana. |
Lunch | Shop-brought sandwich with a bag of crisps, two chocolate bars and a flapjack. | Home-made tuna bake (or one with chicken) topped with cheese, followed by a Slimming World Hi-fi bar. |
Dinner | A 14in ham and pineapple takeaway pizza with curly fries, followed by cheesecake. | A home-made beef burger (made with 5% fat or less mince) in a wholemeal roll, with Slimming World sweet potato fries and a large salad. |
Drinks/snacks | Two litres of full-sugar cola, a few beers. | Vodka and diet coke, black coffee, rice cakes, grapes and melon, low-fat cheese, sugar-free jelly. |
Have you been inspired by Mark’s story? Read about more of our marvellous men here
Weight loss will vary according to your individual circumstances and how much weight you have to lose.