“Back in clothes put away years ago!”

“As a teenager I was slim, but after 18 years in sedentary jobs I reached 22 stone, with Type 2 diabetes and sleep apnea. Photos of myself made me embarrassed and, to put it bluntly, I’d massively increased my risk of an early death.

Then I found #walk1000miles. I really struggled to walk more than half a mile at the start, and had to rest several times on a three-mile loop. The weight loss was quite slow at first but I’ve changed my diet, made a lot more meals using a slow cooker and eaten fewer takeaways.

I’m over three stone down now and aiming for 15 stone. I’ve had to put extra holes in my belt and I’m back into some old clothes that have been stuck in the drawers for years! It feels so good when other people notice and make positive comments.”

Darren Holliday, Teeside