Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Stephen had a mountain to climb in losing 7st
Hike crisis sparks weight loss
life. On top of being obese, I was also walking the dark corridors of mental illness, namely anxiety and depression.
“At the base of Slieve Donard that day, I decided it was time to start climbing both these mountains.”
It was a simple act of walking around his local town that helped kick-start Stephen’s weight loss journey and although tough at first, the 35-year-old Christian kept at it, using God as his guide.
He said: “The morning after I prayed probably as desperately as I have ever prayed. Being a Christian I strongly believe God shows compassion on the cries of my heart.
“I began walking round Antrim town. In those days I could only manage two miles maybe twice a week. I was embarrassed to be seen walking so slowly round Antrim as well, but I kept track of my mile time, the calories I burnt and kept at it. As well as this I made small adjustments to my diet by eating three meals a day, cutting out junk food and having a treat once at the weekend.”
As the months went by, Stephen said the little changes began to reflect on the scales.
He added: “Every Wednesday morning I would weigh myself and 20 stone turned to 19, 19 turned to 18 and people began to notice. This only caused to increase my motivation.”
Stephen went on to join the gym as well as going for regular three-mile walks and now weighs 13 stone.
He said: “I wanted to share my story to encourage anyone who is considering a similar climb up either of these mountains.
“My story proves their ascent is possible. Perhaps I will always be climbing both of these but at least now I can say I am on the way up, rather than on my way down.”