TIPPING the scales at 20st, father-of-four Lee Allsopp had an extra reason to lose weight.
After his youngest son Josh was diagnosed with cerebral palsy, Lee knew he had to get fit and healthy to help support him.
Lee, a gas fitter from Long Eaton, Derbyshire, said: "Josh struggled to walk for any distance and if I tried to carry him, I started gasping for breath after a few steps."
It was just the push Lee needed to join Slimming World and get himself in shape – and within six months he'd shed an incredible eight stone.
He added: "I'd never felt better. By then, I'd also signed up for a 4K fun run for Scope, a charity that helps children and adults with disabilities. I was buzzing with excitement as I set off."
The charity then asked Lee, 37, to run the 2019 London Marathon to raise more cash.
"Thinking about how much effort it took for Josh to put one foot in front of the other, I agreed to do it," he said.
"I wanted to be the role model he deserved, and in April last year I finished the 26-mile race – for Josh. "The difference in me is phenomenal and when Josh starts to tire, I can lift him on to my shoulders, meaning he's still part of the fun.
"In all areas of my life, I'm the man I want to be."
Lee first realised he needed to lose weight one day at work when he bent down to check a gas meter and felt an agonising pain in his knee.
He said: "The pain in my knee took my breath away. I stayed professional as I filled in the paperwork and politely said goodbye to the customer.
"Then I limped back to my van and collapsed in agony.
Being 20 stone was putting pressure on my joints
"My knee had been troubling me for a couple of years and being 20 stone was putting pressure on my joints.
"When the pain in my knee made work near-impossible, I saw my GP, who diagnosed a build-up of fluid. "I tried to push through but it became infected and I spent a week in hospital while the fluid was drained.
"I've never felt pain like it."
Lee's wife Trisha was already a member of Slimming World Online and had followed the plan for nearly a year, but even with his knee problems Lee hadn't felt motivated to join her.
However, it was when his son Josh was diagnosed with cerebral palsy that he knew he had to make a change.
He overhauled his diet and started making Slimming World recipes.
"After Josh's diagnosis, it took five months and more pain before I decided I had to change my eating habits," Lee said.
"After a lifetime of relying on fast food for lunch, Trisha found some Slimming World recipes I could make and take with me in the van.
"I ate the same as she did for dinner. After a week, I already felt better and no longer slumped down after every meal, feeling bloated.
"After two months, I had lost almost two stone."
As the weight dropped off, Lee told his wife he wanted to join a Slimming World group.
And in July 2018, he went to his first session alongside Trisha and his mum Susan.
"Within a few minutes of walking through the doors, any fears drifted away," Lee said.
"I got lots of ideas and was soon having overnight oats for breakfast and a different packed lunch each day. I stopped taking chocs and crisps in the van.
"In the evenings, I learned how to cook. Whoever got home first would have Liam and James help.
"They loved choosing what we ate – homemade burgers with Slimming World chips, say, or a spicy curry – and I treasured the time I spent with them.
I stopped taking chocs and crisps in the van
"Within two weeks, I'd lost another stone.
"Slimming World is really practical. The food is great and you can make meals for the whole family.
"It's great for busy people, as I plan ahead and make food I can take with me in the van. The group's support meant I didn't falter.
"I picked myself up and got back to it. Work got much easier as my knee pain disappeared.
"I had monthly meetings with colleagues and each time I walked into the room, the surprise on their faces made me smile. I was changing before their eyes."
Four months after joining the group, Lee reached his target of 12st 12lb and "never felt better".
Lee decided to sign up for a 4km fun run for Scope, a charity that helps kids and adults with disabilities.
And after completing the race he got a call from the charity asking if I'd run the 2019 London Marathon for them.
"At first I thought they were crazy," Lee said.
Lee's diet before and after
BEFORE
Breakfast: Full English fry-up
Lunch: McDonald's
Dinner: Fish and chips or Chinese takeaway
AFTER
Breakfast: Overnight oats
Lunch: Tuna pasta salad
Dinner: Slimming World curry or Slimming World loaded wedges
"I'd always been an overweight man in a van – running a marathon wouldn't have entered my wildest dreams."
However, determined to be a role model for Josh and his other children Liam, 14, James, 11, and seven-year-old Ellie – Lee decided to sign up and finished the 26.2mile race in April – for Josh.
Since shedding an impressive eight stone, Lee has now ran three marathons – plus a 32-mile ultra-marathon.
Lee's wife Trisha has also lost four stone and his mum has lost a stone.
Lee added: "It really helped to do it together. My life has really changed and I always say it is thanks to Slimming World.
"The difference in me is phenomenal. Now, no boiler is too difficult to get to and there are no aches and pains.
"I love having a kickabout in the garden with the kids and when Josh starts to tire, I can lift him on to my shoulders, meaning he's still part of the fun.
"In all areas of my life, I'm the man I want to be."
Source: Read Full Article