Man who ballooned after family tragedy loses a whopping 12st by playing football

07 October 2023 , 15:41

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Phil Welsh has lost 12 stone and is now an inspiration to others (Image: Steve Welsh)

A 32st grandad became so depressed with his weight he attempted to end his life on several occasions before football transformed his life.

Phil Welsh found comfort in eating following the death of his dad and ballooned to 32 stone.The 55-year-old suffered with mental health problems and depression as a result of his weight.

Phil, from Cambuslang, near Glasgow, tried to end his life a number of times but has now turned his life around thanks to a new-found love of football. He now weighs 20st 7lb and is still losing weight thanks to the Man v Fat diet and exercise programme. Phil told Daily Record: "My father had died a few years ago which affected me quite badly. He was more like a brother or a best friend.

“I didn’t like the person I was. I looked in the mirror and saw my size. I would question myself and say, ‘You are ugly’ and I would hear a small voice in my head say, ‘You are not good enough’. I just wanted to take myself out of the game.”

Phil weighed 32 stone at his heaviest (philip welsh <[email protected]>)

Phil believes Man v Fat saved his life (Steve Welsh)

Following the last attempt to end his life, Phil recalls an encounter with a dog he’ll never forget .“I woke up and saw the stars in the sky and thought, ‘There’s stars in heaven’," he said.

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“Then a dog ran over and licked my face and I thought ‘OK, not all dogs go to heaven’. A man came over and asked if I was OK but I just ran away back up the road.” But while he was on the ground he thought: “Maybe I am not supposed to go.”

After that encounter, Phil saw an advert for Man v Fat on Facebook, which is designed for overweight men, so he went to a club in East Kilbride for a taster. He now enjoys playing football and speaking to similar people on similar journeys.

Those involved often open up about how they feel and help each other. Phil has become a trusted shoulder to cry on and one person has even credited him with saving his life. Phil added: “I am a real advocate for Man v Fat. It saved my life.”

Vivienne Aitken