A man who ballooned to 22st lost nearly half his body weight – and is now a slim personal trainer.
Andreas Djiakouris, 55, decided to shed the stones after trying to buy an outfit for a job interview – and failing to find anything in his size.
Years of yoyo dieting then followed before he found workout brand CrossFit – which changed his life.
The dad-of-two now weighs an impressive 13st 5lb and works out regularly to keep himself fit.
Andreas even competes in running races and triathlon events and is so commmited he carries his kit everywhere he goes.
He said he first became aware of a problem with his size seven years ago when he struggled to move while playing with his children.
A diet of takeaways, sweets, cakes and chocolate had seen him grow to a 48-inch waist – making him realise something had to change.
He said: “I was playing with the children and found I struggled to even walk, let alone run and play with them.
“This bothered me, but what really put the icing on the cake was when I went to buy a new suit for a work interview.
“They had lovely designer labels on offer. But the only one available for me was in brown – which I didn’t like.
“My mind was made up. Something snapped – I had to do something about my weight.
“I joined a gym and learnt about nutrition. I also began running – very slowly – with a colleague from work who said we should go together.
“I couldn’t run far and found every 200 yards I would have to stop.
“I started doing what everyone does: I weighed myself every day – up and down it would go – in the hope there were weekly losses.
“I also began to miss meals in the thought that this would also make me lose weight.
“My life had become yoyo dieting – but after a few months I lost a few stone and started to see changes being made.”
This weight loss left Andreas with excess skin around his middle, so he contacted his local doctor to see if it could be removed.
But after a long period of back and forth with the health authorities the procedure was declined – leaving him devastated.
This and a breakdown in his marriage then led former paramedic and ambulance manager Andreas back to piling the pounds on.
More fluctuation followed before he found finally found a long-term solution in 2017 – CrossFit.
CrossFit is a strengh and condition programme consisting of aerobic exercise, fully-functional body weight exercises and weightlifting.
A colleague invited him along to join a session and he became hooked – the weight dropping off him over a 14-month period.
He now trains between four and six times a week.
It was also then that he decided to travel to Poland in February 2018 to have the excess skin removed – at a cost of more than £2,000 from his own pocket.
Another operation set him back a further £2,000.
But fast forward two years and now-qualified personal trainer Andreas, from Norfolk, East Anglia, is happier than ever at 85kg and a 32-inch waist.
He said: “I just kept going and going – I got down to just over 12 stone [76kg] at one point. That’s when I did my first sprint triathlon.
“But my kids said I looked ill. I’ve gone back to just over 13 stone [85kg]. For me, it’s about looking slim.
“They are so proud of my achievements and can’t believe the amazing transformation to my mind and body – and nor can I.
“My lifestyle now allows me to eat what I want because I’m focused on the correct foods and my metabolism breaks down anything I wouldn’t normally eat.
“Whereas before, when I ate something really bad I would feel off – now I never feel too guilty about having an enjoyable day.
“I’m semi-retired but wherever I go my running and CrossFit kit comes with me.
“I have found CrossFit Boxes [gyms] in most countries and joined them to train as well whilst there.
“I now try and educate people in nutritional eating and exercise that will help them adapt their lifestyle to become more lean and healthy.
“If someone sees my [personal training] advert and wants help I will meet them. But I’m not like these youngsters – it’s not my career.
“I don’t force the issue. I don’t need to ring them up and hassle them – that’s not why I do it.”
Andreas even he returned to the same clothes shop he was in when he couldn’t buy a suit after getting slim – and splashed out.
He added: “I had to throw out my whole wardrobe. But I kept some big jeans to remind myself – of how big I was.”
TYPICAL MEALS
Breakfast
Then: Nothing.
Now: Varies – porridge, smoked salmon, asparagus, avocado, scrambled eggs, etc.
Lunch
Then: Again, probably nothing – as snacking on junk all day.
Now:. Will involve carbs and protein. Chicken wraps, pasta, fish, etc.
Dinner
Then: Takeaways – Indian, Chinese, pizza, etc.
Now: Depends on training. Carbs and protein foods. Chicken, pasta fish, etc.
Snacks
Then: Cakes, crisps, etc.
Now: Protein bars, protein-based ice cream, fruit, nuts, jerky, etc.