A man has shared his body transformation story, explaining how he went from ‘obese to beast’ after being dumped by his girlfriend when his weight clocked in at 26 stone.
Phelim Stack, from Bristol, had seen his eating spiral out of control, but after splitting from his partner he decided to turn his life around and get back into shape.
Fearing his bad habits could kill him, he signed up to a gym, cut out unhealthy foods, and got fit.
The 29-year-old told The Daily Mail: “I decided to make the change instantly the night she walked out. I just wanted the weight gone, like literal baggage consuming me and my thoughts.
“I was in a very bad headspace. But I decided, ‘My story isn’t over yet.’ If I had carried on eating the way I was, I would have been dead by the age of 30.”
Phelim, an aerospace engineer, had weighed 14 stone when he met his partner, but long hours and greasy meals had caused him to gain weight.
He explained: “My weight started to really balloon in my mid-20s. I believe the stress of working away in my job and long hours led to nights consuming highly calorific foods.
“I would typically eat wraps with chicken and mayonnaise, cakes, chocolate and almost always when working away I’d get a kebab or Indian takeaway. I did no exercise then, it was painful and extremely hard on my body and breathing.”
But now his five-year-old son calls him ‘Muscle Daddy’.
It wasn’t an easy road, however – Phelim combined fasting and a reduced calorie intake of just 1,800kcal a day with lots and lots of cardio and weight training.
“Nothing was stopping me. I was on a mission. I was always told by mum that I’m a very good looking man,” he said.
Following his weight loss, Phelim also underwent minor surgery to remove some loose skin.
Looking back on his break-up, the dad-of-one describes it as his lowest moment, but says exercise has helped give him a purpose and the strength to move on with his life.
He now works out most days of the week and dreams of making his son proud by competing in an Iron Man competition.
Phelim uses his story to inspire others like him to change their lives. He is always willing to give advice to people who need it via his Instagram account @obese_into_beast.
He added: “I have people all around the world messaging me for support with eating habits, food choices, fitness questions and exercise support.
“I give advice where I can from my personal development and my own factual research. I believe I need to give back to the world as I made it to the other side.
“If I could give the old me one piece of advice, it would be: Stop eating recklessly. It will cost you more than you think. Stop buying the next size up. Don’t think that buying up to 5XL is normal, because it’s not. Don’t neglect yourself, you only get one life.”
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