A father who feared he wouldn’t live to see his children grow up because of his size has revealed how he shed 12st in a year.
Miguel da Silva, 37, from Hertfordshire, worried his son Diogo, five, and daughter Emma, three, would be left without a father because he suffered from a range of health issues linked to his weight, including asthma, sleep apnoea and high blood pressure.
After struggling with weight since childhood, Miguel eventually tipped the scales at 26st and wore a XXXL. The turning point came after he realised he couldn’t run after his son Diogo when he dashed out onto the road to collect a football.
In 12 months the father-of-two dropped to 14st and now wears a medium or large.
Hertfordshire-based Miguel da Silva, 37, pictured with his son Diogo, is celebrating a Father’s Day to remember having lost an impressive 12 stone. He went from 26stone to 14stone
Now happy in his own skin, Miguel, a father-of-two, said he could finally keep up with his daughter and his son
Speaking to FEMAIL, Miguel, a duty manager at a shopping centre, said: ‘Ever since being at school, I’ve always struggled with my weight and over the years it’s just piled on.
‘Then came the real turning point for me. I was playing football with Diogo when the ball went into the road. My son ran out after it and, to my horror, I couldn’t catch him – all I could do was shout to save him.
‘That’s the moment I decided that something had to change. The thought of losing my son, simply because I wasn’t able to run after him was devastating.’
Miguel also suffered from a range of health problems, some of which stemmed from his weight.
The father-of-two admitted he had a life-long battle with healthy eating, and tipped the scale at 26stone and wore a size 3XL at his heaviest
Miguel, pictured with his daughter, said losing the weight had been life changing, and that he could finally wear clothes from high street retailers after years of going plus size
‘I suffered with asthma, sleep apnoea and high blood pressure. I realised if I didn’t tackle this soon, I probably wouldn’t be around to see my son grow up.’
Miguel signed up to the 1:1 Diet by Cambridge Weight Plan and started swapping his fast food and snacks for healthy homecooked meals like chicken with vegetables.
He continued: ‘It was simple to follow and I liked the concept of having a mentor who could advise me and support me throughout the process, something which I knew I needed if I was going to succeed.
‘She quickly learnt that I had a competitive nature and used that to set me weekly challenges and mini milestones to reach – I couldn’t have done it without her.’
Miguel, pictured before his body transformation, said he decided to bite the bullet in order to be a better father and participate in family activities
Diogo with Miguel before his weight loss. The father-of-two is now a Cambridge 1:1 consultant as well
Miguel said he wanted to help others change their life after successfully losing 12 stone thanks to the programme
Miguel with his family now. Miguel revealed he managed his eating and increased his amount of weekly exercise to reach his goal weight, and then felt comfortable hitting the gym
After a year on plan, Miguel had lost an impressive 12st.
‘I also increased my level of exercise by walking and even confidently working out in the gym once I reached my goal weight, something I never thought would be possible. I’ve even trained as a gym instructor after discovering a newfound love for it!
‘It really has been a life-changing experience. I can wear clothes from high-street retailers, take part in family activities and run around after my son and daughter.
‘The most important thing for me is to be the father and husband I always wanted to be and live a full, active life with my family.’
Miguel went Diogo was a baby. The father-of-two managed to shed the 12 stone in just one year
Miguel, pictured with his daughter now, said he felt confident and was enjoying an active life with his family