AFTER… Sean Leonard shed an incredible 10 stone in 18 months
AN OVERWEIGHT taxi driver who feared he would never see his grandchildren grow up lost a staggering 10 stone in 18 months after years of takeouts and fried food left him barely able to walk.
Sean Leonard, (49) whose weight hit 25 stone, binged on Chinese, chocolate and fry-ups as he worked up to 12 hours a day as a taxi driver.
The Enniskillen man’s health plummeted as he fought high blood pressure, cholesterol, was on the verge of developing type 2 diabetes as well as spending his days taking tablets.
The father-of-three and granddad of five hit a low point while playing with his grandson when he suddenly ran off and Sean was not able to catch him. He feared his grandson would run on to the road, however the pains in his chest prevented him from running but luckily his neighbour caught his young grandson in time.
“It started to really, really worry me. It had a big impact on my life and started to get me down, I had to do something. I thought I would never see my grandchildren live if I kept going on like this.”
After he spotted a Slimming World advert in the Fermanagh Herald, Sean said his life changed forever.
“The next day I was there at 11.30am. I couldn’t go on living life the way I was. My knees were sore when I was trying to walk and it got to the stage where if I had to go to the shop I took the car all the time.
“I saw the sign for Slimming World and peeped through the door and it was all women and I thought what am I going to do in here.
“I was going to turn and leave and head home, but something told me to go straight through the doors and sat down and have never looked back since. I don’t know how I did it, but I did.
“I don’t regret it one bit. It’s getting on the scales and seeing your weight and other people seeing your weight and that’s the most embarrassing thing to me.”
Within the first month, Sean lost 18 pounds and since then has slimmed down from 54 inch waist to 36 inch.
He now lives a life drug-free and walks up to 24 miles a week, participates in zumba classes and works in Kerry Foods.
“From the moment I walked in the women made me feel so welcome and I’ve made a lot of friends. It was very emotional and one of the toughest things I have done in my life.
“My confidence has went through the roof and I’ve done things I never imagined myself doing. That one decision changed my life.
“It’s difficult for men to find weight loss classes, it was difficult for me but if anyone wants to contact me I can go with them and show them what to do.
“I know there are taxi drivers out there that are bigger men than men who would love to lose weight but are too afraid to go.”
You would like to contact Sean on 07516 315 948 or visit the Slimming World website slimmingworld.com
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