Marathon man
After suffering from exhaustion, David Price, 48, from Birmingham, knew he needed to make drastic changes to his lifestyle to improve his health. Little did he know that his weight loss meant he’d be fit enough to run the London Marathon…
I knew I hadn’t been at a healthy weight for a long time, but I hadn’t really thought about it until my doctor diagnosed me with sleep apnoea
– a condition which causes you to stop breathing while sleeping.
I’d never considered that my snoring was a symptom of something potentially lifethreatening, and to be told that my weight was contributing to it was a complete shock.
Myself and my family were all sleep-deprived because of my constant snoring and despite trying a number of gadgets to prevent it, I finally went to see my doctor after I fell asleep pouring a drink in the kitchen, terrified that it’d happen while I was driving, putting myself and others in danger.
My diagnosis, and the fact that I had dangerously high blood pressure, was on the verge of being diabetic and suffered from chest pains and palpitations meant my weight had become dangerous.
After visiting a theme park with my daughter, I was asked to get off a ride when the attendant couldn’t get the safety clip to fit around me.
I felt so humiliated, I knew I had to take action so I joined Slimming World. I did worry about being the only man in the group, but I shouldn’t have – the welcome I received was incredible.
Before, snacking was a big issue for me and I could get through three packets of crisps, four chocolate bars, half a packet of biscuits and a Scotch egg in a day – and this was on top of my unhealthy meals!
My group helped me break this negative cycle, and with the support of my Consultant and other group members, I swapped chocolate bars and crisps for healthy snacks like fruit and yogurt, enjoying two Jaffa cakes when I fancied a sweet treat.
Within three months I’d lost 3st 7lb and, for the first time in a long time, I was sleeping better and felt amazing. I finally had the energy to start exercising.
My Slimming World Consultant encouraged me to start off small and gradually build up my activity so I was making it a regular habit.
At first, I just made sure I got my steps in but as I became more confident, I decided to undertake the NHS Couch to 5k running programme.
Since then, I’ve gone from being a couch potato to completing half-marathons and a triathlon! Now I’m ready to take on a full marathon.
I’ve now lost more than 9st, my health has improved immensely, I’m motivated at work and my wife is getting a good night’s sleep without all my snoring.
My next challenge is to run the London Marathon in October for Cancer Research UK – a charity close to my heart having lost family members to the disease. I can’t wait to run the marathon – crossing that finish line will be a dream come true!
I did worry about being the only man in the group, but I shouldn’t have – the welcome I received was incredible