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Topics: Fitness, Health, World News
Liv Bridge
A father has impressively lost half of his body weight without taking any medication after a 'horrific' photo inspired him to make a change.
Dale Forrest said he used to chow down on three takeouts a day, including several pasties on his lunch break from his office job, before heading to the pub after work.
The habit soon spiralled into a daily routine for an entire decade, helping Dale pile on the pounds until he hit a staggering 32 stone (448 pounds).
The father-of-two even continued to balloon in weight after meeting his now-wife, Kat, in 2021, and after the birth of his children, Bailey, three, and Tate, one.
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However, the 36-year-old has revealed a turning point came not long after tying the knot with Kat in September last year.
At his heaviest weight, Dale said he was left 'embarrassed' by his 'horrific' wedding photographs.
"As soon as I saw them I just had to make a change," Dale said, recalling how he immediately threw out all the snacks in the house and started his dieting journey.
Over the course of the past 11 months, the dad has been on a mission to shred the weight 'the hard way,' which means no fat loss jabs or medication, just 'good old fashioned exercise and diet.'
Dale has since revealed he's lost a staggering 16 stone, more than 100kg (220lbs) in total so far and is delighted with his newfound zest for life.
"I like to downplay my achievement but secretly I'm buzzing," he said. "I used to be so miserable, feeling guilty and living a lazy lifestyle, but now I'm as happy as ever and I can't sit still."
It isn't the first time Dale has taken control of his unhealthy habits, recalling how he had previously lost more than 10 stone in 2015 after giving up alcohol, but 'spiralled' back when he struggled with his mental health.
Dale said: "I was living alone in a studio apartment, all my mates had girlfriends, wives, and kids and I was just lonely. I also didn't like my job at the time.
"As soon as I put a little of weight back on everything just spiraled."
Now, he's determined to keep the weight off for good and has been documenting his mega journey on his TikTok account @slimmeddowndale and hopes to inspire others.
Dale said he started on a diet of 1,500 calories and meticulously weighed his portions for accuracy before adding 10,000 steps a day in to his routine to build up his stamina.
He said: "I was so unhealthy to the extent that I couldn't walk 100 metres before feeling tired."
Then in December, Dale had already hit a major milestone of 25 stone and felt ready to face his fear of stepping foot into a gym.
"Going to the gym at that weight even though I had done it before was terrifying," he explained. "I thought everyone was looking at me thinking 'why is this guy here'."
Yet he kept at it, melting the fat away with a mix of cardio and weight lifting - no small feat, but one Dale is happy he decided to do without GLP-1 medications.
As for the future, he's hoping to drop another two stone before entering the ring for his charity boxing bout on September 20, but is thankful for his healthy lifestyle that means he can play with his kids again.
"I'm now so energetic, I can't sit still I always want to me doing something," Dale concluded. "It is the best decision I have ever made.
"I'm proof that anybody can lose weight no matter how heavy you are."