Concern for kids helped motivate weight-loss dad
FACTORY WORKER SHEDS SIX STONE
Reporter SUPERDAD Peter Wake has become an inspiration to his sons after he dramatically shed six stone in 10 months.
The 30-year-old decided to go on a fitness regime after he realised his boys were copying his bad eating habits.
Peter, who works 12-hour factory shifts, used to eat takeaways five or six times a week and admitted he had “never eaten a salad before”.
His sons Joshua and Ethan, aged 11 and three respectively, started to follow in his footsteps.
After Christmas last year, when Peter weighed 17st, he decided to become active and make big changes to his diet.
He joined Hetton Community Pool and Wellness Centre, in Hetton-leHole, and started working out four times a week. At the same time, he cut down on the takeaways and started eating healthily, with more fruit and vegetables in his meals.
Now, he weighs just over 11st and his waist size has dropped from 44 inches to around 30-32 inches.
Peter, of Easington Lane, Sunder- land, said: “I used to eat a lot of takeaways and not any healthy food. I had never eaten salad in my life.
“I found that my sons were starting to do the same and they wanted to eat the type of things I was eating.
“I was also struggling at work. I work 12-hour factory shifts and would often find myself out of breath and struggling to motivate myself. “I knew I had to change things.” He got into a fitness routine at the Hetton centre, which is managed by Everyone Active in partnership with Sunderland City Council.
After six months of intense cardio exercise, he has now added weightlifting to his regime.
“I go to the centre four or five days a week and work out for an hour at a time,” said Peter.
“The staff are so helpful, polite and gave me any tips and advice I needed along the way.
“The first aim was to lose weight, which I have managed to do, but now I’m looking to build that weight back up in a positive way – it’s all good bulking.
“I feel 100 times better in myself. I have so much more energy, I’m a lot happier and, importantly, my sons have changed their habits too.
“I eat a lot more vegetables, fruit and salad, as well as oats. I do still have a takeaway maybe once a week but on the whole my food is healthier.
“My children are doing the same. They want to eat what I eat. My youngest will now go for an apple or banana if he wants a snack instead of chocolate or crisps. It feels great.
“People at work say I’m half the man I used to be!”
He has since encouraged his mum and dad to join the gym, and also has some advice for anyone else wishing to become healthier.
“You have to set a plan and just stick to it,” he said. “You also have to think ahead and track everything that you are doing.
“That way, you may not see the results when you’re looking in the mirror but the numbers will tell you different. They add up and you will see a difference.”
Peter has been praised for his hard work and determination.
Tony Mullen, general manager at the Hetton centre, said: “The changes Peter has made to his lifestyle are also having a positive effect on other family members and it’s great as a centre manager to see how our facilities and activities can play such an important role in improving the health and wellbeing of the local community.” Peter Wake, after his weight loss and, below, before