James, 38, has now completed six triathlons and three marathons
A person who was too fats to suit behind the steering wheel of his automobile after reaching virtually 40st consuming 6,000 energy a day has shed greater than half his physique weight and change into a triathlete. James Baker, 38, was bursting out of a measurement XXXXXXL at his heaviest and was compelled to swap automobiles along with his girlfriend, after he may now not slot in his Vauxhall Astra.
It proved to be the kickstart James wanted and in September 2022 he underwent a gastric sleeve – surgical procedure that removes a good portion of the abdomen resulting in diminished consumption to advertise weight reduction. James took up train – began strolling, biking and swimming – and swapped his junk meals and excessive calorie food plan for more healthy excessive protein meals and in 14 months misplaced 19st 7lbs – and now weighs a a lot more healthy 18st 7lbs and may slip right into a measurement XL with ease.
Along with his waist shrinking from 60ins to 38ins, James continued on his health journey and accomplished his first triathlon – a multi-sport endurance race involving swimming, biking, and working – in Might 2023. Regardless of coming in final place, James stated it was “top-of-the-line issues I ever did” and has gone on to do six Olympic distance triathlons, in addition to three marathons.
He has lastly been in a position to take again possession of his devoted Vauxhall Astra and is keen to compete in his subsequent competitors, the Cotswold 51 5 in Might 2026. Dad-of-four James, an IT marketing consultant, from Stroud, Gloucestershire, stated: “I’ve all the time been a bit greater than my friends.
“As I obtained into grownup life it spiralled a little bit bit. On the finish of 2022, I obtained as much as being 38st. I needed to swap automobiles with my companion. For me actually the entire automobile factor, not with the ability to get within the automobile, I believed if this carries on I’m not going to be round for my youngsters for much longer.
“That was the true huge catalyst realising I couldn’t get into the automobile with out having to breathe in and tuck myself within the steering wheel. I’ve obtained two youngsters of my very own and two step-kids. They’re younger and it obtained to the purpose the place enjoying with them grew to become tough due to my measurement.
“I could not purchase garments in outlets, and the garments I used to be shopping for on-line have been turning into tougher to seek out due to the dimensions I used to be”.
James researched procedures and determined to endure the gastric sleeve surgical procedure in Might 2023 – flying to Cairo, Egypt and paying £5,000 for the process funded by means of private financial savings. He stated: “I had my surgical procedure in September 2022 and within the Might of 2023 I did an Olympic distance triathlon with a pal of mine, Aaron Gwilt, 38 who did a whole lot of endurance stuff already. I can actually say it was top-of-the-line issues I ever did”.
James was going to work as an IT marketing consultant one morning when he started to battle getting out and in of his automobile. After requesting assist along with his weight by means of the NHS, he was put right into a year-long weight administration clinic earlier than he may qualify for weight reduction surgical procedure.
James didn’t meet the required physique fats loss on the course to qualify for a gastric sleeve, and says he “didn’t really feel I’d realized something to show me about diet”. Trying elsewhere, James booked a gastric sleeve in Cairo, Egypt, in September 2022 for £5,000, flying out with a pal and his boss on the time to have the surgical procedure collectively.
After spending 5 days in Egypt for the op, James started the fast restoration at house and began reworking his food plan. He was solely allowed to have clear fluid for some time, then pureed meals, then meals to be mashed, strong meals 8-12 weeks. Gorging on quick meals and even having a snack drawer within the workplace, James would eat as much as 6,000 energy day by day, consuming crisps, chocolate and fizzy drinks at work earlier than going to quick meals eating places on his means house.
He stated: “Earlier than I’d eat issues like McDonald’s and Burger King very often. I’d get up and assume ‘I will have a Burger King in the present day’. I would discover a means of getting it, even when it would imply driving out of my means so I may have it.
“I would then get house and eat a second dinner with my household. I would consistently be reaching for snacks and luxury meals earlier than mattress like crisps chocolate bars and desserts. There can be instances after we’d be watching the TV and if we didn’t have something in, I’d drive to the outlets for a chocolate bar.
“Nevertheless it wouldn’t be a standard measurement one, it could be a share measurement. Now if I am coaching very first thing within the morning I will go for a run or a coaching session. Breakfast is one thing alongside the traces of granola and yoghurt.
“I typically then don’t eat till later within the afternoon. That can be issues like one or two eggs with a slice of toast, or a small jacket potato with a filling. Within the night I will have my dinner however once more it consists of one thing protein primarily based like diced hen with tikka paste in a pitta bread.
“Very often my night snack is what’s left from dinner as I do not eat all of it.”
After coming final place in his first triathlon, James caught the bug and joined his native membership two years in the past. He stated: “As I used to be working down the ending line they have been packing up round me. I’ve since progressed to center distance.
“I did the Manchester marathon in 2024. In complete I’ve finished six Olympic distance triathlons. My household been wonderful to be trustworthy. The opposite day I had a coaching run I wanted to do and my son was additionally going to coach, he needed to do a run.
“Having the ability to do one thing like that, I’d by no means have been in a position to do earlier than. Issues like going to the park, after I was greater I’d must cease and want locations to take a seat down. Typically I’ve to decelerate and look forward to different individuals the place as earlier than I used to be the one having to cease”.
