Alex Cook tipped the scales at a whopping thirty first 11lb after the primary two Covid lockdowns. But he determined to show his life round.
The 46-year-old technical estimator joined the Man v Fat soccer programme, the distinctive soccer programme the place gamers are weighed earlier than they play a 30-minute recreation of six-a-side. Teams can earn additional targets primarily based on how a lot weight they’ve misplaced.
Now, Alex weighs a a lot more healthy 18st 8lb. He’s been ticking off bucket record experiences that had been beforehand unattainable attributable to his dimension, together with leaping off the Stratosphere Tower in Las Vegas.
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Alex, who resides with girlfriend Lottie, stated: “My life is a lot completely different now. Before I used to wrestle walking for 10 minutes, however now I’m actually lively and play two video games of soccer every week.”
“The programme has truthfully been life-changing for me and it is enabled me to make new experiences.”
Alex first joined the Man v Fat soccer programme 5 years in the past, however left after a while. It was solely after the primary two Covid lockdowns that he thought-about rejoining.
He confessed: “I’d placed on weight throughout Covid and I used to be at my greatest weight by 2021.
“I’d initially joined the primary time as a result of it was one thing new and fairly progressive. Me and some mates joined as a result of we hadn’t performed soccer for years and we would all put weight on so it was simply a good suggestion on the time.
“I gave it up after some time after which the Covid lockdowns got here into impact and I put a great deal of weight on, I used to be at my greatest I’ve ever been.”
In November 2021, Alex weighed himself and, at thirty first 11lb, he determined to rejoin the soccer group.
He added: “I used to be at all times out of breath and I used to be at all times drained. I used to be struggling to take the canine for a walk and after I did go for a walk I’d final 5 to 10 minutes earlier than I used to be out of breath. I knew my bodily state was in want of getting sorted.”
“Rejoining the group, everybody was welcoming and I’ve made so many mates now. Everyone helps you and provides you encouragement.”
At the identical time, Alex’s girlfriend Lottie, 31, an A&E nurse, had a gastric sleeve process. They determined to help one another of their weight reduction journeys by consuming the identical meals.
Alex began enjoying soccer weekly and adjusted his consuming habits. He stated: “My girlfriend Lottie was present process a gastric sleeve on the time and I wished to be supportive of her too so I made a decision to eat the identical meals as her.”
“She may solely have very small and wholesome meals after the surgical procedure so we each ate collectively and it was good to have one another throughout our weight reduction journeys.” After two years, Alex weighed in final month at 18st 8lb, dropping an unbelievable 13st 3lb.
Alex, who lives in Portsmouth, sometimes visits his household in Birmingham. He stated: “I do not get to see my household loads so each time I do see them they’re at all times shocked and really glad for me.”
“It’s good to get that recognition. I really assume I look older because the weight reduction however Lottie disagrees and he or she says I look higher now.” Since their weight reduction, the couple have been promoting their old garments on apps like Vinted and shopping for smaller sizes.
Earlier this month, Alex and Lottie went on vacation to Las Vegas. Alex stated he was capable of do “a lot extra” on this go to because of his weight reduction.
He shared: “I’ve been to Las Vegas a great deal of occasions however I’ve finished extra this vacation than ever earlier than as a result of beforehand my weight held me again. There are issues like helicopter rides that I may by no means do as a result of I used to be too large and zip traces, that we did this vacation.”
“I’d had it in my thoughts after we booked the vacation six months in the past that I wished to leap off the Stratosphere Tower which is a 1,000-foot soar and I knew I needed to be a most of 120kg for it, which I did.”
“We additionally did quite a lot of walking, doing over 20,000 steps a day and earlier than the load loss, we could not have finished that.”
“So, apart from the health, life has modified massively. I’ve simply received a brand new lease of life and I’m able to have all types of latest experiences.”
* An AI instrument was used so as to add an additional layer to the modifying course of for this story.
