Brit loses almost four stone in incredible 12-month weight loss transformation
A man who went on a fast-food binge during lockdown has totally turned things around.
Joe Perks said he gave himself a stern talking to after his weight climbed to 18st while Covid gripped the world - and closed the 28-year-old's gym. He said he used that as an excuse to stop eating well, but later decided it was time for change.
Gorging on fast food and fry-ups, fitness got thrown to one side. But he has now transformed his appearance after reaching out to a bodybuilder for support. He hasn't looked back and reckons his mental health is better than ever after getting back in the zone - and back in shape.
“At first I didn’t want to share the before and after photos because I was embarrassed about the first one," Joe, from Birmingham, said. "But I thought you know what, I look good in the second one and it is so much better so I shared it.
“I feel so much more confident now and I am so much happier. Honestly, mental health wise it’s amazing, it doesn’t just improve your physique you feel a lot happier mentally,” he told the Daily Star. Joe was feeling at his lowest during the pandemic and grew more and more despondent as the virus took hold.
England star Joe Marler reflects on lowest point after fight with pregnant wifeRemembering those dark days, he said: “I just lost motivation. My diet was non-existent and I was eating a load of rubbish and was constantly comfort eating. It would be takeaways and cooked breakfasts every morning. It affected me mentally and I thought I had to do something because I was unhappy with how I felt.
"I used to go to the gym before lockdown and people thought I looked big and strong in clothes but I had actually become really overweight. I looked at myself in the mirror one day and thought something has to be done, I can’t keep going like this.”
Determined to improve, Joe messaged Guy Harding on Instagram - who was once known as “Britain’s fittest banker” - and he helped to rebuild his motivation. Guy previously spoke about his own transformation from a skinny teen to super strong man mountain. He now describes himself as a “worldwide physique transformation specialist”.
After altering his diet and sending him specialised training programmes, Joe now weighs 14st and has packed on muscle. He said: “I had to clear out my wardrobe because my tops are too big and my trousers are too big.
“I have lost over three and a half stone and I started noticing weight loss and the difference in how I looked after about six to eight weeks. Guy had me cut out some bad foods I was eating but it was a diet I could actually do and enjoy. It wasn’t just cutting out carbs and things.”