Dave after losing 12 Stone

David Walker and I met several years ago through a mutual friend here in the States. Dave comes over from England for Holiday a couple of week around the Bay Hill Tournament. This year at the same party I was introduced to Dave again, He looked familiar but I had no idea who he was.

Dave Before Losing 12 Stone

Dave Walker was born 25 /09/1963 in Wolver Hampton, West Midlands,England. The only child of Teresa a photographer and Bryan an architect left school in 1980 with 7 o’levels, I started work for a builders merchants and in 1988 went into transport and haulage and have been there ever since having my own company since 2003, I’ve always been a big guy played golf and indoor football till 95 when persistent knee trouble caused me to quit but always had good health.

Dave, what did you do to lose the 12 Stone?

Well Tim ,my friends mom is a dietician ,she gave me a diet sheet which told me about the 10,10,5 rule with food if it has 10 or less of sugar and salt and 5 or more of fiber its good to eat plus as much fruit and veg as you like, no red meat plenty of turkey and chicken but no skin baked or grilled, fish grilled or baked also quinoa which is a meat substitute is good, I was also told to cut out rice, pasta, noodles and only 4 slices of bread a week. Also to have breakfast which was something I never used to do, now I couldn’t live withoutporridge in the morning, it’s my favorite meal. But to be honest its common sense you know what’s good for you and what isn’t but the most important thing was I started walking and that’s when it all started to change for me.

How long were you at your heavier weight?

Like everything the weight just crept on over the years, due to working long hours, no exercise and just eating to much and drinking to much of the wrong things so I would say I was 26 and a half stone for about 10 years I was embarrassed and scared to weigh myself because I knew I had to do something about it but I was scared to face the truth.  26.5 Stone = 371 pounds.

What was the turning point that you finally said enough is enough?
What made you decide to take action?

These two go hand in hand, I had my 2 year eye test in late 2010 and they found scar tissue behind my right eye so I was sent to the local hospital to get it checked, they took my BP which was 203/100 which is dangerously high so I was sent to my GP the same week, the scar tissue had been there since birth so no problem with that so indirectly the optician is responsible for all of this whether she knows it or not. I went to my GP who put it in no uncertain terms that if I didn’t lose weight, get my BP down and start to look after myself I would be lucky to make 70 and being 48 at the time that was the point when enough was enough and it was down to me and only me to change it with diet and exercise and the rest as they say is history. My diet now is pretty much as was just less now as I’m only half the person I was I don’t need as much to eat as I used to but the gradual build up of walking increased by half a mile per month till I got to 5 miles per morning, then my Dr. got a gym referral for me for 12 weeks which I loved and now I walk/run 8 miles sat and sun and go to the gym Tues, Wed and Thurs. I do an hour weights and 45 mins cardio either cross trainer, rowing machine or treadmill.

Dave I remember last year you had trouble walking from one side of the yard to the other, without taking a break, you also you seemed to havesome balance issues. How has your life changed since losing the 12 Stone?

My balance has improved 100% Tim, but I can’t do anything about being clumsy so I think the career as a ballerina is on hold for a while the word hasn’t been invented for the way my life has changed, honestly its so different I may as well have been living on another planet, nothing seems impossible anymore. I feel happy and content with my work and social life, my priorities have changed totally, and without wanting to get mushy all my family and close friends have been brilliant with me and have been nothing but supportive so I count myself a lucky man to be surrounded by such good people who have made this life change, which lets face it could have been difficult for me, really easy and also thanks to my nurse Jeannette and Dr Morortra who I am now proud to call my friends.

Dave now that you’ve done this incredible thing, what’s next?

Finally there are only two goals for me, to have the operation to remove the excess skin so I can finally say goodbye to the old me and really start my new life and I have just signed up to run the Birmingham half marathon in October for the action heart charity which is part of the gym I go to for heart and stroke patients in rehab so I can help the people who have helped me which is important because they do a brilliant job with no funding from the government. (Remember Dave lives in England)

So to sum it up; here is a Busy, Business Owner, who decided to make a change to better his life. To do this He made time to get off his butt and start moving. Then he started using common sense to pick healthy food choices. The day he picked was “Today”, not New Years or after the Holidays or some special event.  What’s your excuse now?