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James Brumpton had a weight loss journey that appeared to be like anyone else’s.
At the young age of 16, he weighed 283 pounds.
He didn’t consider himself active, and even saw himself as a “fat child.” He was picked on in school, but it didn’t stop him from eating.
When he hit 280 pounds, he realized there was a problem.
“To me, 20 stone was the point between unhealthy and a real problem,” said James. His health was already terrible, but it wasn’t until then that he knew he had to do somethinga bout it.
James began a gym training plan and improved his diet. Over the first few years, he lost 70 pounds.
However, as with many individuals who go through rapid weight loss, he was left with excess skin, which left him feeling depressed.
Like many, he had surgery to remove the skin.
Then, with his weight healthy and his excess skin removed, he began to enjoy food again.
However, old habits die hard, and James fell right back into those old eating habits.
“I thought now that I had lost the weight I wouldn’t be victim to mass weight gain again/ I was eating a lot of junk because I thought I was invincible.
“I’d go to Asda and get cookies on the way to work, cakes on my lunch hour, snack on cakes in the vending machine at work, and have big cheat meals at the weekend.
“I also didn’t know portion control,” James said.
All these habits added up. And, in a side of the story you don’t often hear, he gained all the weight back—and then some. By 2013, he was 287 pounds.
But he took a look at himself, and decided this wouldn’t be his life again.
He joined PureGym, and set himself up with a personal trainer that helped him set up a diet and exercise routine to get him back down to size.
Now not only is he at the weight he wanted, but he’s built muscle mass and is in better shape than ever.
Now, the six-foot-one man weighs 218 pounds.
“I do worry that I could put the weight back on,” said James. “After the first weight loss I felt invincible, but when you put weight back on again you realize you’re not invulnerable and that you do have to pay attention to what you eat and what triggered you to become overweight in the first place.”
James hopes his journey helps others realize that weight loss can be done.
“Ultimately, if I can inspire just one person to change their life for the better, then the last 10 years have been worth it.”
