Shocking picture kickstarted dad’s journey to fitness
HE’S LOST 3ST IN JUST FIVE MONTHS
A HESSLE dad shocked by a picture of himself at a family meal has made an incredible transformation.
In just five months, Jimmy Leonard, 46, has gone from a life of boozing and overeating to becoming fit and healthy.
Over lockdown he had piled on the pounds through overindulging and enjoying a few too many pints in the pub he had built in his back garden.
Jimmy weighed 17st and would get out of breath from just a short walk. After 20 weeks in a transformation group, led by Cottingham-based personal trainer Tom Cowen, he has dropped more than 3st and has gone from a size 40 waist to a size 34.
Jimmy said: “I had always been up and down with my weight and my problem has always been consistency. Around Christmas last year, I saw a picture of myself at a meal and couldn’t believe how big I’d gotten.
“It was that moment that kickstarted my weight loss journey. I decided to join Tom’s transformation group and can’t speak highly enough of them.
“At first, I thought it was a bit much when everyone was taking pictures of their food to share with the group, but then I realised it’s all to make sure you stay consistent with your eating. The group does a lot of circuit training and cardio and at first it’s a killer, but then you really get into it and have fun.”
Jimmy says he has not reached his goals yet, but he is proud of how far he has come. He feels like he is finally in a place where he is seeing major results and doesn’t want to give up.
One of the key factors to consistency, according to Jimmy, is to not be too restrictive with your food as fad diets will never last long-term. He said: “My biggest downfall was food in the beginning because I love to eat.
“Believe me, I’m not eating lettuce leaves or plain chicken and rice for every meal. To lose weight, it’s just about making better choices and swapping out your chips for roasted vegetables sometimes.
“For breakfast, I still have bacon and eggs but will cut back on foods like bread and pasta. The meals can be well seasoned and Joe Wicks does a great cook book that my family loves.
“I’ve also cut back on the pints because the calories can really add up.”
When talking about his biggest challenge, Jimmy says it was always going to be pushing himself to go to the first session. For many people, the gym or exercises classes are a daunting experience, particularly if you have no experience and don’t know anyone there.
He said: “The hardest thing is getting over the fear of putting yourself out there and going. For me, I felt more comfortable going to a studio in a group of people wanting to achieve the same things as me, rather than go to a gym.
“Everyone in the group is so encouraging and we celebrate everyone’s wins with no judgement. I have now signed up for long-term sessions and can see myself doing this for years.”
Jimmy’s family have been incredibly supportive of his weight loss journey and he even exercises with his 17-yearold daughter. It also isn’t just his physical health that has improved.
The Hessle dad said: “I have always been quite a positive person but now that I look and feel better than ever, my confidence has gone up. I have so much more energy and don’t feel tired and lethargic all the time.
“To anyone thinking of doing it, I would say just go for it. Whether you want to lose weight, put on weight or just get a bit fitter, anything is possible, even for a 46-year-old like me!”
Tom, who has worked in the fitness industry for 20 years, said: “Jimmy is an incredible member of my team. His enthusiasm and energy is infectious but underneath all that was a burning desire to change his life around from potentially dangerous health consequences.”
“I’m very fortunate to be a small part in helping people make healthier changes over the last 20 years”