DAD’S LOST 16ST, BUT CAN’T SHOW OFF HIS BODY
WHEN Daniel Cushen managed to lose half his body weight, he couldn’t wait to show off his new physique.
The 34-year-old, from Barry, tipped the scales at just under 30 and a half stone at his heaviest, as his diet consisted of “nothing but takeaways”.
But over the last three years he has managed to shed just over 16 stone thanks to a complete diet overhaul and new exercise regime.
“I was in a relationship where we ate nothing but takeaways and unhealthy foods and I was uneducated about how to eat healthily,” the dad-of-one said.
“Chocolate was one of the biggest things for me and I would love a Chinese, Indian, Subway or McDonald’s.
“I ended the relationship and that day I weighed myself and decided to do something about it.”
Despite his impressive weight loss, Mr Cushen hasn’t felt able to show off his slimmer figure due to his insecurity.
Trips to the beach and taking his nine-year-old daughter swimming are still out of reach as the cleaner has been left with sagging excess skin on his stomach and legs.
Mr Cushen said: “I want to stay fully clothed so people can’t see my skin.
“It’s affecting me mentally more than physically and it’s the last hurdle in my journey.
“I’ve been to countless doctors about it but because it’s not causing me physical pain it’s not something they can do.
“Imagine how much I’ve saved the NHS by not having operations to lose my weight and it’s the one bit of help I’m asking for. It seems a bit unfair.”
Mr Cushen has now set up a fundraising page in a bid to raise £13,000 to have an operation that would remove his excess skin.
Since losing the weight, he has deliberately worn clothes that are too big just to hide his excess skin and even wears a coat during trips to the beach.
Mr Cushen explained that having the procedure would “give me my life back”.
The 34-year-old said: “I started running not long ago but I noticed my stomach and legs were clapping and rubbing so I couldn’t do that for long.
“Swimming and going down the beach and taking my top off are things I would love to do. I’m one of those people on the beach with a coat on.
“I tend to overdress to cover it up and I wear long T-shirts to hide it on my stomach.
“It would change my massively.” life