‘12 months ago I was a 26 stone alcoholic’

David Jacques, 60, from Derbyshire My consultant said if I continued drinking I’d have two to three years at the most. I ignored the warning as drink seemed far more important. I was at the stage where I’d need a drink before work in the morning and at various stages through the working day. My partner of 23 years was ready to give up on me.

I saw the magazine and thought the 1000-mile challenge could be what I needed to refocus myself.

After just a couple of weeks of two-mile walks and a healthier diet I could already notice the difference. After 4 months of not drinking and losing weight I felt great. 12 months later and I’ve not had a drink for nearly 11 months and although

I’m still 18 stone, I regularly walk 10 to 20 miles at a time.

The threat of losing my partner really was a ‘now or never’ moment. I can honestly say that if I’d lost Gail at that stage nothing good that has happened since would have occurred. #walk1000miles gave me such fresh impetus. It gave me something to concentrate the mind, and is a wonderful community!

My happiest walking moment so far was a walk up Mam Tor. It was my first time walking in the Peak District and it felt like quite an achievement as at that stage I was still around 22 stone. Today, life is getting back to normal after seven weeks on furlough. I feel that walking gives me something to look forward to after a week at work surrounded by people and the phone ringing constantly. I walk on my own at the moment so it gives me time to process everything that is happening in my life and the world generally.

If you’re like I was, look at the effect you’re having on the people around you. Then you need to commit yourself 100% to succeed. Gail has certainly seen the worst of me – hopefully now she is seeing the best.