Man loses almost half his bodyweight and finally proposes
A man who described himself as being "addicted to takeaways" has gained the confidence to propose to his girlfriend after ditching the junk food and losing a whopping nine stone.
Everyone wants to feel their best on their wedding day, but the idea of walking down the aisle weighing 20st 7lbs seemed "daunting" for Jamie Haviland.
But determined to marry his girlfriend Ashleigh Guy, 24, who works in admin for the NHS, the 25-year-old groundskeeper from Dover set about overhauling his lifestyle.
After taking up walking and switching his diet, Haviland has lost almost half his body weight, and now weighing 11 stone, has finally found the confidence to pop the question to his girlfriend.
“I always knew I wanted to tie the knot with Ashleigh," he explains.
“But I couldn’t bring myself to propose whilst I was obese.
“I was too worried about what other people might think."
Read more: Dad who lost 10 stone in six months believes weight loss helped him beat coronavirus
Haviland says his weight made him feel depressed and anxious as he describes constantly worrying people were looking at him.
“A wedding seemed very daunting when I was 20 stone," he explains.
“I knew I had to change my ways if I wanted a future to look forward to.”
Though he joined Weight Watchers in January 2018, Haviland believes lockdown really helped him to shift the weight as he was able to put his all into cooking at home.
In January this year he reached his goal weight of 11 stone and proposed to Ashleigh on March 9, feeling like a new man.
Read more: 'A Place in the Sun' couple lose 12 stone after being shocked by their size on TV
Haviland says it was seeing a picture of himself which became the turning point that inspired his weight loss.
"As a bloke, you can be overweight and it’s kind of acceptable," he explains.
“It’s quite natural to be rough around the edges and overweight as a man which makes it harder to break the bad habits.
“But in 2017, I saw a photo of myself and it shocked me.
“My weight was almost the same number as my age.
“I decided enough was enough and joined Weight Watchers the following year.
“It was a big step in the right direction, but I really got the ball rolling in lockdown whilst on furlough.
“In June 2020, I weighed 17 stone and managed to get down to 11 stone by January 2021."
Watch: Cardio and upper body workout.
Haviland says his new body shape has left him feeling "like a new man".
“I’m much healthier now as I walk daily and go on 30-mile bike rides," he says.
“I used to snack on crisps and chocolate throughout the working day.
“Then tuck into a kebab three times per week or eat a lasagne with sides.”
Read more: Man loses half his body weight after being too big to go on nearly every ride at a theme park
Learning to control his portions was also key to Haviland's weight loss and he now cooks healthy fake-aways to fulfil his fast-food cravings.
“I’ve completely changed my lifestyle," he adds.
"I love to cook after work and try new dishes.
"I've swapped doner kebabs for chicken gyros which are a healthy Greek kebab."
Following their engagement, Haviland's partner has expressed her pride at his determination to get healthy.
"I am one proud fiancée," she says.
"Jamie's determination and commitment has inspired many people, including myself.
"He has developed some amazing cooking skills too!"
Jamie Haviland's food diary
Before:
Breakfast: A big bowl of Shreddies or fry up at the weekend
Lunch: Foot-long Subway and crisps, or two sandwiches
Dinner: Kebab or lasagne with garlic bread
Snacks: Biscuits and fruit
Now:
Breakfast: Fruit or mushroom omelette
Lunch: Carrot and cucumber sticks
Dinner :Healthy Greek kebab (gyros) or homemade pizza
Additional reporting Caters.
