How did I get the Motivation to lose weight? What Changed?
by Andy Williams - last updated 07th Aril 2024
The Day That Changed Everything
So, on June 23rd, 2023, it was a day like any other. I had been working as a GM at Nando's in central London, commuting nearly 3 hours on a train where people rarely sat next to me because of my size, and I worked a 10-hour shift. That day, my area manager gave me feedback that I wasn’t in the restaurant enough, which was yet another blow to my mental health. I knew the amount of hours I had been putting in, despite my zero work-life balance. And, bear in mind, the primary role of a regional manager at Nando's is to drink alcohol (I’ll stop complaining). But ultimately, I was in a bad mood!
That evening, I was home alone; the kids were in bed. I'd had probably my 6th Guinness, and something switched. I don’t know what it was, but something happened! A collision occurred between my Mental Health, My Physical Health, and maybe the angel on one shoulder actually managed to shout louder than the devil on the other.
The Wake-Up Call: Confronting My Reality
This evening was one I will never forget; I started to analyse myself deeply, and I didn't hold back. What exactly was my current situation?
Overworked: I worked a lot, for a company I had fallen out of love with and dreaded going to work.
Overweight: I was overweight. Sorry, that's too kind. I was fat, very fat. On this day, I weighed in at 22 stone (140 kg, 300 lbs).
Too Fat to Do Things: My weight physically impacted me. Tying up my shoes, running up the stairs, my belly hung over my belt buckle and would get very sore—the list was long!
Alcoholic: I was an alcoholic. Alcoholism runs in my family, and I drank every day. Nando's allowed us to claim back alcohol on our expenses, so it was too easy to destroy myself. I was easily drinking 10 Guinnesses a day.
Depressed: I was severely depressed. I hated my reflection, was unhappy in my marriage; what future could this absolute loser actually have?
Mental Health: My mental health was shot, some days giving the appearance that everything was fine (all a big act), other days I'd just want to stay in bed and hope the world forgot I was there.
Broke: My finances were in the toilet. To be fair, they have never been amazing, but with the rising cost of living, large commuting fees, and supporting 4 children, it was all too much.
Futureless: I couldn't see a future to be proud of, and based on the previous points, who could blame me!
So I had had enough! Nobody was going to help me; I had tried.
My Mental and Physical Health
I started to believe that if I could change my mindset, I might have a chance of changing my life. However, after 20 years of yo-yo dieting and every weight loss attempt ending in failure, I needed to figure out how this time would be different.
So, why did diets fail for me?
They usually started well; I would throw myself into them wholeheartedly. But then, they'd either just fizzle out, or I would concoct some excuse as to why it wasn't the right diet for me.
Every time I embarked on a weight loss journey, I had made a choice, either consciously or subconsciously, to stop. So, it was my mind; my mental health was preventing me from improving my physical health.
Why This Time Was Different?
I realised that I didn't just need a diet; I needed a significant, yet sustainable, life change. I had to cultivate a life that positively impacted me, one that I enjoyed more than my current existence. It was time to let the angel on my shoulder drown out the devil on the other. I needed to:
Still enjoy my food, eating things I like while losing weight.
Begin some form of physical exercise, yet it had to be something I wouldn't have to force myself to do. I was ready to set myself a challenging goal, stretching my limits to where it felt uncomfortable was acceptable.
Most importantly, I needed to address my Mental Health, which had always been my obstacle, my nemesis. With my Mental Health as my ally, I believed this time, things would be different!
And indeed, they were!
The Strategy: Mapping Out My Journey
Having set my initial weight loss strategy, here’s how I broke it down:
Nutrition: After countless attempts at dieting, I had a revelation. Despite the myriad of diets I tried – keto, low carb, fasting, Weight Watchers, you name it – the core principle remained unchanged: to lose weight, you must consume fewer calories than you burn. Simple, yet profound.
Movement: Diving into intensive exercises at 22 stone would have set me up for failure. The thought of not being able to run or do a single press-up without feeling defeated was disheartening. To avoid this trap, I turned to what was manageable – lifting some dumbbells in my living room and, more importantly, walking. Walking became my go-to. It was effortless, enjoyable, and with my headphones in, I could easily burn around 800 calories an hour, thanks to my initial size.
Mental Health: This was about finding joy in activities that positively impacted my mental health, silencing that internal bully. Through experimentation, I discovered a love for Wim Hof's breathing exercises, yoga, and rekindled my passion for reading. These activities not only provided me with mental clarity but also became pillars in my journey towards a healthier life.
Things were finally starting to look up!
How did I start the Weight Loss Journey?
How did I start this huge change? My journey began with a deep dive into my eating habits using My Fitness Pal. Astonishingly, I discovered I was consuming a staggering 5000 calories a day just to maintain my weight at 22 stone. Recognising the need for change, I entered a calorie deficit, armed myself with my Garmin Fenix 6 Pro for step tracking, and committed to drinking 2 litres of water daily, meticulously comparing calories burned against calories consumed.
Daily Weigh-ins
Contrary to general advice, I found comfort in weighing myself daily. This approach isn't for everyone due to the potential discouragement it might cause. However, for a numbers person like me, tracking progress was both motivating and insightful.
Nine Months of Transformation
Fast forward nine months, and the results have been nothing short of miraculous: nearly 8 stone (45 kg, over 100 lbs) vanished, leaving me with the best mental health of my life and a renewed perspective.
Finding and Keeping Motivation
People often ask, "How did you stay motivated?" The answer lies in variety, and love for the activities I chose.
Alternating between walking, lifting dumbbells, and cycling kept boredom at bay, allowing me to find joy in a selection of positive activities that didn't demand David Goggins motivation!
Conquering Alcohol Dependence
A pivotal moment was confronting my alcohol consumption. That decisive night, I poured down the sink of all my alcohol, marking the end of its negative influence on my life.
Alcohol's departure meant silencing the Devil on my shoulder once and for all.
Navigating Through Life's Storms
My journey was not without its storms. Confronted with an unfaithful wife for the second time (same person), the challenge to maintain focus on my goals tested my will power like never before. Additionally, my quest for mental health support through the NHS and my GP was met with the disheartening advice that my issues were far too complex for their limited sessions, leaving me to face my battles alone.
Inspiring Change in Others
As I share my journey, my aim is not just to recount my experiences but to inspire others who might see themselves in my story. If someone as weak as I was can redefine their life, so can you!
Remember, it's never too late to transform your life for the better.
This weight loss blog post marks the beginning of a series where I'll detail every step of my journey. I hope you'll join me, find inspiration, and perhaps ignite your own path to wellness and happiness. Remember, change is within reach, even for those who feel they've tried and failed countless times. Together, let's prove that transformation is possible.
About me
Hi and welcome to Uncomfortable Stretch!
My name is Andy Williams and I am passionate about helping people who want to change their lives without hating the journey!
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