A Glasgow personal trainer has credited his GP's gym scheme referral as being the catalyst for his life-saving weight loss.
Tom O'Brien weighed in at 24 stone when his GP referred him for an NHS gym membership scheme, which led to him losing 10 stone - an ultimately life-saving change as he was diagnosed with a fatty liver at the age of 24.
The fitness fanatic is now set to get married in three weeks to the love of his life Shannah Lennox, 28, after his impressive 10st weight loss gave him the confidence to start dating. Tom now believes that the NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde referral saved his life and he now works as a personal trainer in very gym he was referred to, reports the Daily Record.
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Tom said: “I have Asperger’s Syndrome and had some other health issues in the past but I grew up very obese. High school was a tough time for me so I always turned to binge eating.
“I have Asperger’s Syndrome and had some other health issues in the past but I grew up very obese. High school was a tough time for me so I always turned to binge eating.
“My parents always told me to listen to doctors because they’ve always helped me with my Asperger’s. My GP referred me to Glasgow Club to help me lose weight and eventually I managed to lose 10 stone.
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“You get a concession so it’s much cheaper to go to the gym and swimming which was a big bonus for me. I started with the gym and then did swimming too because I really enjoyed it as a child.
“I decided to go back to college at 25 to study fitness and now I’m a PT for Glasgow Club. It completely saved my life. If I didn’t lose the weight, I’d definitely have diabetes, maybe even heart problems.”
Describing a typical day before his weight loss, Tom explained: “I had no job so I wouldn’t really be doing anything. Just living off state welfare, which I personally was never comfortable with. I would probably skip breakfast after sleeping in and then have a big lunch followed by unhealthy snacks.
“A four pack of doughnuts from the supermarket was my guilty pleasure and a two litre bottle of full fat Irn Bru. Then I’d have a takeaway and stuff like that.
“Now, I get up early and have some Weetabix with a cup of coffee. I walk to work to get the steps in and sometimes have fruit for lunch and a sensible meal where I keep track of all my calories for the day and drink lots of water.
“By keeping track of my calories, I can treat myself to the food that makes me happy. Losing weight gave me the confidence to find work and go to college. Now I’ve actually met my lady love and I’m getting married in three weeks.”
He added: “It’s not as impossible as it may seem to be. You don’t have to give up all the things you love and that make you happy. You can be healthy and still treat yourself to a Burger King or whatever.
“But it’s all about not going overboard. If food makes you happy and that’s your guilty pleasure, there’s definitely worse things out there.”
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