At 38 years of age with a BMI of 56 John Slade was struggling through everyday life. Walking up stairs had become an ordeal and while everyone was out enjoying the summer sun John used to hide away at home. Being a travel agent he could only imagine what it would be like to travel as a carefree passenger without the humiliation of seat belt extensions and bulging out of an economy seat.

Eventually John went to his local hospital obesity clinic and was told the only way he would lose weight was by having a gastric bypass. The insanity of having an operation for weight loss that could have complications was the final straw for him and he knew he had to try something different and give it 100% effort.

“I realised I had to deal with my relationship with food, I had to learn how to control my food obsession”.

John joined our online weight loss programme with a morbidly obese BMI of 56, weighing 28 stone 1 pound. At first he swapped around meal plans to find the one most suited to him but eventually stuck with our vegetarian plan. The privacy of weighing in at home without judgement appealed to John while the structured nature of our meal plans helped him gain control of his eating. He knew if he stuck to them he could not go wrong and soon the weight began to fall off.

John used to start his day without a proper breakfast. This led him to snack at work and at lunch he would go for the larger portions along with crisps and chocolate. This habit repeated itself for dinner followed by any other foods that came John’s way.

“I could eat vast amounts of junk food which of course is never a good idea”.

Using our meal plans John got used to planning his meals and choosing correct portion sizes. This allowed him to gain control over his diet which was his first step to successful weight loss.

“Now I am much more structured in my meal times I am also much better at planning. If I plan meals its fine, when you leave it to chance that’s when it goes very wrong”.

John found it difficult to exercise in the beginning but as his weight dropped he started walking and soon loved it. For motivation, John and his partner joined the National Trust and went somewhere new and inspiring every weekend. After a year he joined a gym but found it was not for him. He missed the open air so continued with his walking. “Even if it’s in the dark or raining I would rather be out walking”. John also vowed to change everyday small things like taking the stairs at work and walking to the shops.

John has been with us now for just under 2 years, losing weight steadily in that time. He maintains his weight at 13 stone 7 pounds and has never felt better. “I am the same person just happier and with a whole lot more options in life. I just have so much more to look forward to”. John can now buy clothes without the embarrassment and expense of shopping in specialist shops catering for larger sizes.

John’s family have been extremely supportive. He lives with his partner who has supported him 100%. “He has stood by me fat or thin. Without him I think it would have been so much harder.” John also enjoyed the interaction and support on our site from fellow dieters in the community pages.

Now John has the problem of people not recognising him because of his new look which “is very shocking at first but you get to take it as a good thing”. He is due to have plastic surgery to get rid of the excess skin which really is the only downside. He is now off jet setting around the world travelling to places such as Thailand where he could only imagine going before.

John is realistic when it comes to his relationship with food but knows that he has learned the tools to cope and stay focused. “I guess that someone who was my size has to know that they will always have issues with food. I have won the war but I know that sometimes I will have the odd skirmish that I might lose”.

Looking back John realised he always looked to blame something or someone else for his overeating. He knows now that it all comes down to individual choice.

“My advice would be to not be passive and blame somebody or something else for your weight problems. When it comes down to it, each individual has the responsibility for what they eat. Only we can do this for ourselves.”

“I am just proud to have broken the vicious circle. I never thought I could get down to a normal weight but it really is a matter of planning and perseverance."

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