25 August 2023 , 23:01
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For Aaron Walker, the 2021 Leeds Festival was anything but a celebration.
At 27 stone he was gasping for breath, exhausted, felt self-conscious and missed his favourite band because he was too tired to walk across the site. Now, after shedding 14 stone, he is back in the mosh pit at Bramham Park this weekend. Two years ago, he found that his size held him back.
He said: “I was really looking forward to being with my mates, listening to good music. When I arrived, it soon dawned on me that being on my feet would be hard going. Just the walk from the entrance to the main stage had me gasping for breath. I even missed one of my favourite bands, Two Door Cinema Club, because I was too tired to walk across the field.”
At that moment Aaron decided that he had to change his lifestyle and lose weight. And now 13 stone Aaron, 27, from
, South Yorks, has been named Slimming World’s new Man of the Year. He said: “I joined a Slimming World group not long after. Now here I am – two years later, 14st lighter and loving Leeds Festival this time.”
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Aaron at Leeds Festival before (left) and after (right) his big slim downThe former University of Hull student joined a Slimming World group in Hull. There, he learned to build healthier habits around food and became more active. Aaron, who works in finance, said: “When I moved away to university my weight problems became even worse. Being independent meant I could eat whatever I wanted – and a boozy night out often ended in a takeaway. It took a lot of courage for me to join Slimming World.”
After a few months of healthy eating, Aaron felt ready to get active at his own pace with the firm’s physical activity support programme. He said: “I started off taking small walks around the block. It was hard at first but it gradually became easier. In time, my walking progressed to running and I’ve since completed the Leeds Half Marathon. In the past year I’ve climbed Snowdon, done the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge and climbed Ben Nevis. My dream now is to do the London Marathon. Heading back to the festival is a big tick off the list though.”
DIET THEN
Breakfast: Nothing.
Mid-morning: Chocolate, sweets, biscuits, crisps.
Lunch: A meal deal such as a sandwich, crisps and a drink, followed by chocolate or cake.
Dinner: Takeaway pizza or chips.
Snacks: Crisps, chocolate, biscuits.
DIET NOW
Breakfast: Porridge with lots of fresh fruit and a black coffee.
Lunch: Leftovers from a meal made the night before; soup or salads.
Dinner: A Chinese fakeaway such as homemade Chinese chicken with egg-fried rice.
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Evening: A Slimming World Hi-Fi bar or a flavoured fat-free yogurt.