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Gareth Fullerton

Northern Ireland football coach on shedding over two stone after mini lifestyle change

Northern Ireland football coach Gerard Lyttle has revealed how a few simple lifestyle changes helped him shed over two stone.

The Under 17 and 19 international manager has lost 35lbs this year after cutting back on beer and fast food, and implementing intermittent fasting into his daily routine.

The former Cliftonville and Sligo Rovers boss spoke of the physical and mental benefits the change has brought him.

Read more: That's What I Call Football podcast S5 Ep5

Speaking on Belfast Live's That's What I Call Football podcast, Lyttle said: "I have lost two-and-a-half stone so far.

"Enough was enough. I was drinking pints and eating takeaways, and just getting into a slump of a routine that wasn't great.

"I cut everything down. I didn't go on a mad diet. I make sure I get 10,000 steps a day in, I started doing a certain number of press-ups, and then I stop eating at 7pm each night.

"And if I fancied a beer I would have a smaller bottle instead of a pint, or swap the beer for a glass of red wine. That was it.

"It just shows you the weight I have lost, and I have kept it off so it's good."

Lyttle admits using the intermittent fasting method - where you choose regular time periods to eat and fast - helped him cut back on calories.

"I would stop eating at 7pm and then not have my next meal until about 11am the next day," he added.

"When my son Flynn was boxing, we would have our dinner around 4pm because he was boxing at 6pm. So that would sometimes be my last meal of the day.

"If I wanted a cup of tea or a biscuit to keep me mentally on track, I would do so before 7pm. But after that I would drink water or black tea/coffee if I wanted to.

"Sometimes I had breakfast and dinner, or sometimes I would skip breakfast and just have lunch and dinner. And it works for me.

"I have tried loads of diets and regimes and they haven't worked, but this has worked well for me."

Lyttle added: "It improves your mental health as well. Your old clothes start to fit you again which is a great feeling.

"I maybe lost too much at the start but I am managing it now."

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