A man says his five stone weight loss is down to eating 2,000 eggs - and says he feels 10 years younger after adopting an 'egg diet'. Ross Macfarlane, 34, tipped the scales at 18st 12lbs and struggled to fit into size 40-inch jeans when he realised he needed to make a lifestyle change.
The IT manager had tried 'crash diets' before - but had never been able to shift the weight. During the pandemic, in August 2021, Ross noticed he had a resting heart rate of 100 bpm as well as high cholesterol and blood pressure. When Covid restrictions were lifted, he tried to put on size 40-inch jeans and couldn't do them up - and realised he needed to change.
Ross completely overhauled his diet and exercise regime - eating higher protein foods and exercising regularly. He ditched high-processed foods and takeaways and started eating up to six eggs every day - scoffing 2,000 eggs over the last two years.
In 12 months, Ross dropped 5st 2lbs. He now weighs a healthier 13st 10lbs and can slip into a size 32-inch waist with ease - putting his transformation down to his 'egg diet'.
Ross, from Edinburgh, said: "It has been a learning experience, with a diet the big thing is not thinking of it as a diet but a lifestyle change. I feel much more confident in myself, I sleep better, my heart rate is down to 60 bpm and my blood and cholesterol levels are normal.
"I feel good, shifting this weight was the best thing I have ever done. I start my day with between three and six eggs - which averages out to around 2,000 over the past two years."
After the pandemic restrictions were lifted and everyone went back to work, Ross felt unhealthiest he had ever been. Ross said: "I was a normal guy. I have an office job, I had been commuting to work every day, I had business travel and a social life with my friends.
"It was years of food abuse which led to me to be the weight I was - eating out a lot, socialising, drinking with friends - it was a low time for me. My relationship with food is what I would say normal people's relationships are. I would go on a crash diet but end up putting it all back on - I was still fat no matter what I did."
Fed up with his weight, Ross decided he needed a change of lifestyle ot just a change in diet. He started cutting out the takeaways, instead eating high-protein meals and ditching carbs - which saw him lose 22lbs in two months. Finally able to fit into his size 32 jeans, Ross started to feel better about himself.
He said: "I decided to maintain the weight and I kept piling it off, it took a year, and I was below 14st and 2lbs. I have maintained it for two years, and the lifestyle changes I have made have worked. I feel good, it is the best thing I have ever done - I look 10 years younger."
Ross added: "People are asking me about the diets I follow. I keep it really simple. Every morning I start my day with between three and six eggs - they are very filling, high in protein, and low in calories. It has been life-changing for me, it is never too late to make a change, I am in my mid-thirties and feel the youngest, healthiest I have ever felt. Anyone can make a change and reap the rewards."
To maintain his healthy lifestyle Ross plans his meals in advance so he isn't tempted by a takeaway when he gets home late from work. He said: "When you have a busy life it is just one less thing to worry about. When you come home from work after a day of commuting, it is easy to grab a takeaway. My journey has been a learning experience, with every diet the big thing is not thinking of it as a diet but a lifestyle change."
To follow Ross' weight loss journey, find him on TikTok @Rosscotron1 or visit his website - dietrecoveryhacks.com .
Diet before
Breakfast - Large vanilla latte, muffin or flapjack
Lunch - Meal deal - a sandwich, crisps, drink and chocolate bar
Dinner - Takeaway, like pizza, Chinese, Indian
Snacks - Chocolate bars and crisps
Drinks - Sugary lattes, beer or two before bed
Diet after
Breakfast - Three or six fried eggs and an espresso
Lunch - Chicken salad or chicken wrap
Dinner - Steak and veg or rice and chicken
Snacks - Protein bar
Drinks - Coke zero, espresso, water
Ross' top diet hacks
- A filling high protein breakfast - three to six eggs boiled or fried
- Using 50 per cent reduced fat cheese,
- Opting for reduced sugar ketchup and condiments
- Going for skimmed milk
- Using one calorie cooking spray
- Diet drinks
- Low-fat meats, minces sausages
- Eat way more vegetables as they're filling and energy boosting
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