AN EX-army serviceman from Poole has described his inspirational weight loss transformation – going from being “ashamed to step on the scales”, to “running rings” around his daughter.
In November 2020, Poole man Tim Churchill weighed approximately 20 stone. Having left the Royal Army 12 years earlier, his exercise uptake decreased and he began rapidly gaining weight.
He said: “At 24, I left the army weighing 15st. My physical exertion dramatically decreased with my departure, but I was still drinking and eating the same amount, which resulted in my weight gain. For twelve years I was yo-yoing in around the 18-20 stone mark. In November 2020, I was too ashamed to step on the scales and I knew it was time to make a change.”
An additional motivation for Tim to lose weight was his six-year-old daughter. He explained: “I wanted to be healthy enough to see my daughter grow up, but I noticed that I was becoming increasingly out of breath whilst I was running with her.
“This was a shock and another spur for me to lose weight.”
Now 37, Tim has seen his weight drop from 19 and a half stone to 14 stone.
His successful weight loss has been down to making two simple choices, more walking and an improved diet.
“Walking has been huge factor in my weight loss journey – I try to walk as much as I can”, he said.
“For example, if I’m going for drinks in town with my other half, we will walk there and taxi back. Walking has been the best solution for me as my knees are dodgy and I have severe back issues too, so I am really limited with what exercise I can do. Walking has truly been fantastic for me.”
Tim now aims for 15k steps on average a day, increasing this from roughly 9k steps.
An improved diet has also been key to his transformation, with Tim using healthy food and drink brand The Skinny Food Co during his health journey in April 2021. He added: “I didn’t realise I could basically eat the same meals as I once was, but still lose weight.”
Tim says his mental wellbeing has also been aided by the weight loss. He said: “It’s a real achievement to say that the weight I’m currently at is the same as when I was at my fittest in the army. I’m so much happier now I can run circles around my daughter without feeling breathless.
“It’s been a real positive lifestyle change, and my goal for 2022 is to maintain the weight I’m at now.”
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