A 30-stone East Lothian dad is asking for help on his weight loss journey after saying it feels like he’s “waiting to die”.
Sean Crawford, 36, is determined to turn his life around after poor eating habits, grief and personal circumstances led him to rapidly pile on weight right before the pandemic struck.
Currently living in the quiet village of Athelstaneford, near Haddington, Sean says he is able to hide away and doesn’t find any enjoyment or excitement in life.
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However, he now wants to get back in shape in order to improve his own happiness and provide memorable experiences for his six-year-old daughter.
Given his current size and lack of fitness levels, as well as an ongoing condition that affects his mobility, Sean is reaching out to fitness experts and personal trainers in search of guidance as he attempts to complete a huge challenge.
Another factor adding to the task in the cost-of-living crisis, with Sean’s employment currently under threat due to it being council-funded. Should this funding be cut, he could be unemployed in a matter of months and faces significant financial worries.
Sean told Edinburgh Live: “It’s all so stressful because it’s hard to see a way out. At times, I’ve felt like I’ll never be able to change. It all happened so quickly, it’s amazing how you can put on all this weight so quickly but it just seems impossible to lose it.
“But I don’t want to just sit here and admit defeat. If I’m honest, sometimes it feels like I’ve just been sitting around waiting to die. I don’t get any enjoyment out of life, I don’t really get excited about anything.
“With my job being under pressure and the cost-of-living crisis that has made things so hard anyway, I just really don’t have the funds to be forking out for a gym membership or paying mental money for a personal trainer. I don’t want to come across like I’m asking for anything – I hate that – I just don’t know what to do.
“I feel like all I need is someone to take me by the hand. You know, if someone got the ball rolling with me, if they showed me what to do and got me into good habits, I feel like I could really achieve this. I’d be some grateful to anyone who was willing to give it a go and take a chance on me.”
Sean’s relationship with his daughter is a driving factor in his desire to lose weight, saying that he wants to make sure that he is around to see her grow up.
His lack of mobility has also caused issues with his ability to interact with his six-year-old at places like parks and football pitches, which he is keen to change as soon as possible.
Sean said: “So much of why I want to turn my life around is because of her. I always make sure she never misses out, but things become a massive challenge when I struggle to move and the pain that I’m in.
“I can’t run around with her at the park, I can’t play football with her. Sometimes even getting her to these places is a challenge. I know I’m a good dad, everyone around me tells me I’m a good dad, but I just want to give more for her.
“I don’t want to miss out on all the things she’ll do in her life and I don’t want her to make the same mistakes I have.”
Sean began to struggle with his weight after leaving his job and losing a close friend in quick succession back in 2019.
The former amateur footballer describes his previous self as outgoing and confident, but says his current situations leaves him riddled with anxiety, leading to him retreating to the comfort of old habits that have saw him wind up in his currently predicament.
Sean added: “I hate being alone, I always have. Of course, I see my daughter, but when she’s not here I hate being by myself. It’s just a route to go and eat, it’s comfort food.
“I used to be really confident, I’d walk into a pub or whatever and go chat to absolutely anyone. Just the other week I was on a stag do. I was having a great time when we were all drinking together before, but when it was time to go into town, I just decided I wanted to go to bed. I was too embarrassed to be seen by other people.
“I’d absolutely love to meet someone, but I feel like that’s so difficult the way I am just now. I feel like once I begin to see results, once I get that wee bit of confidence back, I could be on a roll and change my life. I just need somebody kind enough to give me that push.”
If you think you may be able to help Sean, or would like to set up a chat with him in order to find out more about his situation, please email sean.mcgill@reachplc.com to be put in touch with him.
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