James Argent took advantage of outdoor swimming pools reopening this week as he enjoyed a dip at his local lido in Essex on Thursday.
The former TOWIE star, 33, is currently waiting to have life-saving gastric surgery after his weight crept up to 27 stone in lockdown, leaving his health at risk.
He has been working hard on shedding the pounds ahead of the procedure, so was no doubt pleased to be able to get back in the water after previously crediting swimming as a favoured weight loss technique.
Keeping up his fitness: James Argent took advantage of outdoor swimming pools reopening this week as he enjoyed a dip at his local lido in Essex on Thursday while trying to get fit for his upcoming gastric surgery
Lockdown restrictions began to ease on Monday, allowing sports facilities such as tennis and basketball courts, and open-air swimming pools to reopen, with people also able to take part in formally organised outdoor sports.
Arriving at the pool in a hoodie and shorts, the reality star stripped down to a pair of trunks as he basked in the warm spring weather and got in some laps.
He appeared to be in his element as he slipped into the water – no doubt remembering his gruelling training from preparing to swim the English Channel.
Back in 2019, the keen swimmer trained to cross the gruelling 21 miles as part of Channel 4’s charity fundraising show, Sink Or Swim! alongside the likes of Love Island’s Wes Nelson and TOWIE’s Georgia Kousoulou.
Taking to Instagram during his training, the reality star revealed he’d ‘never worked so hard’ in his life, whilst Wes praised his pal by announcing ‘the weight is falling off’.
Arg penned: ‘I’ve never worked this hard or been so committed to anything in my life! @wes.nelson has been so supportive & has motivated me.
‘In 1 month we are swimming across the channel & leading our team to France in aid of @su2cuk #SinkOrSwim @channel4 #failureisnotanoption [sic]’.
Wes shared the same snap with his followers, captioned: ‘Honestly so proud of @real_arg the weight is falling off 4 weeks out from our big swim across the for stand up to cancer! Let’s get it’.
Transformed: In 2015 (pictured left) the star was the slimmest he’d ever been after losing four stone, but has since seen his weight creep back up and he now weighs 27 stone
Arg shared a clip of himself in training with his Instagram followers as he added: ‘It’s also a great chance for me to kickstart my healthy lifestyle and weight loss journey!
‘I know most people will think I will fail & not do it but I will prove those doubters wrong just like I did with the Marathon. I won’t let myself or anyone down. I’m working so hard in order to pass the medical & assessment before I even take on this massive challenge x’
Tragically, the long-awaited Channel relay was ultimately called off after it was announced that just five miles from France, dangerous waters meant it was not possible to continue.
Out and about: Lockdown restrictions began to ease on Monday, allowing sports facilities such as tennis and basketball courts, and open-air swimming pools to reopen, with people also able to take part in formally organised outdoor sports
Loving life: Arg appeared to be in his element as he slipped into the water – no doubt remembering his gruelling training from preparing to swim the English Channel
Ever the optimist Arg said at the time: ‘We’ve worked so so so hard these last twelve weeks, it feels like we’ve let people down but it’s not our fault it’s out of our hands.’
Despite the long-awaited race coming to a surprise conclusion, the first few laps did not go off without a hitch thanks a hilarious blunder by Arg.
The reality star was full of confidence as he plunged into the water to begin his leg of the relay, only for trainer Ross to scream that he was swimming in the wrong direction back to Dover.
Swim-suits you! Back in 2019, the keen swimmer trained to cross the gruelling 21 mile English Channel as part of Channel 4’s charity fundraising show, Sink Or Swim! alongside the likes of Love Island’s Wes Nelson
Eventually Arg was able to change direction and was bound for France, and did complete his stint of the race before it was called off.
James’ outing comes after he said he will have life-saving gastric surgery in the near future as he described doctors’ stark warning as ‘very worrying’ while appearing on Good Morning Britain last month.
The reality TV personality has now received his first dose of the Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine after he was placed in the ‘high-risk category’ because of his weight.
He said: ‘They’ve [doctors] basically been saying, the size I am at the moment, it could be fatal. If I was to catch Covid, I could be a goner.’
Feeling good: Arg previously credited appearing on Sink or Swim with helping him slim down, calling it a ‘great chance to kickstart his healthy lifestyle and weight loss journey’
Speaking to Piers Morgan and Susanna Reid, James added: ‘It has been worrying. It’s been difficult putting on so much weight and obviously the fact I’ve got so big.
‘It kind of shows I haven’t been in the greatest of places. But I’m sitting here this morning, I’m feeling super positive…
‘I’ve got life-changing surgery, which is going to be taking place in the near future, it’s all booked up.
‘I really feel like I’m making positive steps and I can’t wait to get back to my very best.’
James went on to explain how doctors have warned him he is in danger territory due to his weight and how if he were to catch Covid, it could be fatal.
Making changes: James’ outing comes after he said he will have life-saving gastric surgery and has now received his first dose of the Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine after he was placed in the ‘high-risk category’ because of his weight
He also spoke about how being obese has ‘serious implications on my heart’- something which is of concern to him because both of his parents suffer from heart problems.
‘I’ve been speaking regularly to the doctors and nurses at Transform Hospital Group. They’ve been giving me advice,’ he said.
‘They’ve basically been saying, the size I am at the moment, it could be fatal. If I was to catch Covid, I could be a goner.
‘It’s not just that, my mum and dad, they’ve had heart problems themselves, so it’s kind of in my family hereditary, in my genes and stuff. I’ve got to tackle this now before it’s too late.’
James has said he is still undecided as to which type of gastric surgery he will have, but says once he has chosen, it will happen in the ‘near future’.
‘It’s a really, really serious operation,’ he said.
‘At the moment I haven’t decided specifically which one it’s going to be, there’s options of a sleeve, bypass, I need to still do a bit more research, speak to a few more people.
‘But the surgery is going to happen, it’s going to happen in the near future. I really hope it’s going to work for me, it’s going to be life changing.’
Health: James Argent has been warned by doctors that he could die if he caught coronavirus – after his weight crept up to 27 stone in lockdown
James revealed obesity is something he has been struggling with since he was a teenager and has found it ‘impossible’ to maintain a healthy weight.
He said: ‘I’m not saying I can’t lose the weight without this type of surgery, but I’ve never been able to maintain it before.
‘So I just believe that going for it this time, I’ve made a decision, I’ve spoken to all my friends, family, everyone’s had their opinions and you know nine times out of 10, they’ve said it’s not funny anymore, go for it. That’s why I’ve made the decision.
‘It’s not like I’ve put weight on in lockdown and I’m doing something drastic to get it off, this is something that I’ve had this underlying issue in terms of weight and eating disorder since I was a teenager.’
During the interview, James reflected on how he hasn’t gone through life ‘plain sailing’.
He said: ‘I’m inspired by Tyson Fury. He’s a heavyweight champion of the world, he’s had similar problems and demons to me in terms of drugs, in terms of drink, in terms of weight. He was morbidly obese.
‘If he can turn it around and come back and become a world champion and get his life in order.
‘I’m not saying I’m going to go on and become a world champion but if I can have 10% of the comeback he has then that would be the dream for me.’
Recovery: Alongside the post he wrote: ‘Thank you to Everyone for your continued support, It means so much’
After his interview, the reality star took to Instagram and told fans he ‘can’t wait to be happy and healthy again’ and is feeling ‘super positive’ as he looks ahead to his surgery.
He wrote: ‘A CHANGE IS GONNA COME. I can’t wait to be Happy & Healthy again, I’m feeling super positive.
‘I’m nervous about the big operation & surgery but I know it’s for the best & will be life changing!
‘I’m inspired by @gypsyking101 [Tyson Fury’s] comeback & can’t wait to be back to my very best.’ (sic)
He has thanked his rehab team for their support with his ongoing addiction issues and encouraged others who are struggling to get help.
Speaking in the video he said: ‘Hey guys, I just want to thank each and every single one of you who have shown me nothing but love and support with all your messages over what’s been quite a difficult time for me.
‘I know you’re worried but I can honestly say I feel so much more positive about the future and I feel so much better in myself and that’s because I have had day to day help from Dad in Recovery.
‘Nick is a leading addiction expert and alongside his team at Verve Health they’ve really helped me on what’s hopefully going to be a really special journey for me.
‘If you’re indoors at home and seeing this video message, please if you are struggling please do not suffer in silence, please reach out to Nick, Dad in Recovery and the whole team at Verve health and they will help you along your journey just like they’ve done with me.’
Alongside the post he wrote: ‘Thank you to Everyone for your continued support, It means so much.
‘A special shout out to Nick @dadinrecovery & his team at @vervehealthrehabs for helping me on this path of my recovery journey.
‘Don’t forget to ask for help, It’s out there. Don’t suffer alone! �� ❤️ #dadinrecovery #recoveryjourney #getsupport #help4addiction’.
Arg has battled drink and drug addiction for much of his adult life.
The TV star spent three months in a facility in Thailand over the festive season in 2016 in a bid to curb his addiction and revealed he checked himself in to a programme in order to get the ‘ongoing support’ he needed.
In August 2019, Arg returned to rehab following a split from Gemma Collins in a bid to tackle his demons.