Four men from different backgrounds are united in their inspiring journey to lose weight through running. Together, they’ve lost a total of more than 250lbs. More importantly, however, is that running has made them healthier and happier.
Name: Steven Wise
Age: 42
Hometown: Durham City
Before running: 21 stone
Weight now: 15 stone 6lbs
Total lost: 78lbs
“A change in job and a health scare pushed me to revaluate my life and health in August 2013. I stepped on the scales for a health check. The counter told me I was 21 stone. The results told me I had type 2 diabetes.
“I began walking my border collie further and further until I reached eight miles a day. I then decided to run the Great North Run (GNR) for Diabetes UK as I had always wanted to take part in the event. So I began running with my dog. I hate gyms; they’re boring and full of stuffy air. At first it was hard, as only months before I had suffered bad backs just walking two miles. I ran in the dark to be hidden away so I had no pressure from others as my confidence was low. I would run a short distance – less than 100m – then walk, then try running again. I used the eight-mile walk route and each time I ran it I would use the same start points for the run but extend the distance. Soon I was running three miles, walking half a mile then running again. Eventually I ran the whole way – it showed I was getting better and it was a great personal achievement. I’d aimed for the GNR but had to drop out through injury. It’s a set-back but running has made such a difference to my life that I won’t let an injury stop me now.”
DIET: “I began researching food, realising all the ‘healthy’ food was full of sugar, processed food was full of rubbish and that fizzy pop was no better than water in quenching thirst but had all the health problems. All my food is homemade now; this way you can control what goes into it. I have been diagnosed as ‘diet-controlled diabetic’ now and no longer need medication.”
Name: Joshua Butler
Age: 24
Hometown: Brighton
Before running: 18 stone
Weight now: 12 stone
Total lost: 84lbs
“My weight and my health had been getting me down for a while, and it peaked in the summer of 2010 when I was 18 stone. I was in my second year of university; I was drinking and smoking a lot and eating even more. There was one occasion at Halloween where I was in fancy dress and looked a particular treat – the photos from that night were my stimuli. Around that time, my granddad became was very sick and, although it was not weight related, it spurred me on the live a healthier lifestyle.
“I began by doing some easy exercises at home. When I plucked up the courage to join the gym, I spent some time on the cross-trainer. Then the gym closed for maintenance and I started to run. On my first attempt, I only managed to run for 5K. It took me ages but I didn’t even notice as I was too engrossed with running and just having some time to myself with my thoughts. After that I was hooked. When the gym re-opened, I didn’t go back; instead I started to research more running routes and worked on my distance.
I’ve now run two full marathons and two half marathons and will be taking part in my third full marathon in April 2015. During my last marathon at Brighton, my mum, stepdad and sister volunteered to help marshal the marathon route. So as I approached mile 25, feeling exhausted and hating life, there were three familiar faces jumping up and down screaming my name. It was amazing!
Running hasn’t just helped my weight management – it’s boosted my mental fitness too. There is nothing more therapeutic than going out for a long run.
DIET: “Since I took up running, my diet has changed dramatically. I cut out all the unhealthy food I was eating before in exchange for a much healthier, leaner diet. I am dextrose intolerant so I can’t digest sugars, so I try my best to avoid sugary foods too.”
Name: Lee Popplewell
Age: 39
Hometown: Hull
Before nunning: 18st 2lbs
Weight now: 14st
Total lost: 56 lbs
“I was 38 and living in America. I’d worked as a scuba diving instructor in the summer and snowboarding tutor in the winter, and got into the ‘party every night’ routine. I didn’t realise what effect that weight gain was having upon my internal organs and my heart especially. Eventually I decided to take up running to get into shape. I could do it anytime, anywhere, and most of all I enjoyed it. A year later, thanks to the running, I was down 15st and completing a 10K run every week.
But bad genes were following my path and after, I returned home to the UK, I suffered a heart attack. My cardiologist immediately ruled out the side effects of running, instead confirming a blood clot had taken its toll.
People thought I’d be mad to run again but I knew that running was what kept me going. A week after the heart attack, I went out for a five-mile walk. After two weeks, I did a 12-mile bike ride and within two months I was running 5K.
I then entered the London Marathon, aiming to run for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI). My father had been a navigation officer and I had a great admiration for the charity. I won’t deny it wasn’t tough but I completed it in 4 hours and 16 minutes. I was even a little gutted that I didn’t get away quick enough at the start to get a sub-four-hour time, but I raised almost £5,500.”
DIET: “I’m very into doing my own stir-frys and am a big fan of lean turkey as a source of protein in most things. I eat soups for lunch – they’re very filling but low in calories. I work hard at my running and my diet and reward myself once a week with luxury – fish and chips.”
Name: Dr Rob Bunn
Age: 36
Hometown: Middlewich, Cheshire
Before running: 18st 5lbs
Weight now: 15st 3lbs
Total lost: 44lbs
“I decided over Christmas 2013, having spent time with my parents – my mum has Type 2 Diabetes – that I had to do something to reduce my own risk. I knew I was carrying too much weight and, in February 2014, started running. I’d no previous experience so I bought a second-hand running machine. It was very hard at first, especially as I was still smoking. I could only manage one minute of running and two minutes of walking, but I registered to run the BUPA Great North Run as a goal and gave up smoking. As I did, I slowly increased my running time to 5 minutes, then 10, and so on. I run three times a week averaging a total of 20 miles. I did complete the Bupa Great North Run for Diabetes UK – raising over £650 for a cause that’s mean a lot to me – in 2 hours 15 minutes. I’ve already decided that I’m going back next year to try and break the two-hour barrier. I’m also aiming for the London Marathon in 2016 and my ultimate goal is to complete an Ironman challenge.”
DIET: “I decided that I needed to reduce my calorie intake from averaging 3,500 calories a day with no exercise to around 2,200-2,400 a day net – I eat more on the days I exercise to total this range. I also use the My Fitness Pal app to track my intake.”
