A man whose life-threatening diabetes caused him to pile on the pounds has showcased his incredible transformation after shedding 2 stone 7 lbs in just 12 weeks.
Adrian Thomas, 28, a shift worker from Clitheroe, Lancashire, suffers from ketoacidosis, a diabetic condition that can be deadly if not managed correctly.
His sugar cravings, along with a knee operation, saw his weight soar to 14 stone 10 lbs, with his ‘rolls of fat’ causing Adrian to lose his confidence and even his friendship group.
The father-of-three, who has toddler Alicia and 6-month-old twins Henry and Jack with wife Katherine, has shed half his body fat to reach 12 stone 6 lbs, and is now fit enough to compete in marathons.
What a transformation! Adrian Thomas embarked on a 12-week diet and exercise regime shedding 2 stone 7 lbs after piling on the pounds (seen 2017 before his diet)
Adrian’s sugar cravings, along with a knee operation, saw his weight soar to 14 stone 10 lbs – but he has since halved his body fat (pictured now)
Previously very sporty, Adrian suffered three separate knee injuries, requiring surgery on each occasion – as a result, he saw his waistline balloon. Short on confidence, he lost his friendship circle and his clothes no longer fitted.
Speaking about his transformation with sports nutrition brand USN, Adrian, who now weighs 13 stone 5 lbs after gaining muscle, said: ‘My clothes stopped fitting me and it was just uncomfortable.
‘I could look down and just see rolls of fat where I never had them before. It was at that point I thought right I’ve got to do something about this now.’
Speaking about how he piled on the pounds, Adrian says a mixture of night shifts, his type 1 diabetes and his knee injury resulted in his weight gain.
The father-of-one embarked on an intense 12-week low carb and high protein diet, consuming 1750 calories a day, and running two to four hours a week alongside his regular workouts
‘I originally set out to do the USN body makeover challenge three years ago after becoming frustrated with my lifestyle and the way I looked.
‘However, I injured my knee playing football which resulted in three separate surgeries- including a complete ACL reconstruction,’ he revealed.
‘The injury stopped me running, playing football and taking part in martial arts classes and I started to comfort eat. I lost my friendship circle and out of boredom I was just grazing all the time in the evenings when I shouldn’t have been. I had nothing else to do, so I was just eating!
‘I was also suffering with my diabetes and struggled working late night shifts. It was very hard to control my sugar levels and I found I constantly needed something sugary,’ Adrian said (seen before)
The father-of-one (pictured with his wife Katherine and daughter Alicia), has seen his health improve so dramatically, that he can now even compete in marathons
‘I was also suffering with my diabetes and struggled working late night shifts. It was very hard to control my sugar levels and I found I constantly needed something sugary.’
With his confidence at an all-time low, Adrian decided to give himself a lifestyle overhaul.
He embarked on an intense 12-week low carb and high protein diet, ditching his high-calorie diet and consuming 1,750 calories a day, and running 2-4 hours a week alongside his regular workouts.
‘My motivation behind doing the challenge was to lose weight and try to improve my type 1 diabetes as well as building strength back in my legs,’ he said.
Adrian (pictured before) embarked on an intense 12-week low carb and high protein diet, consuming 1750 calories a day instead of 1900, and running 2-4 hours a week alongside his regular workouts
Adrian’s strict regime payed off, with the dad dropping shedding almost three stone, transforming to his fittest form to-date (seen before, left and after, right)
‘At first it was difficult to adjust my insulin regime around my increased activity level, and at the time working night shifts made training really hard.’
‘On average I was running between two to four hours a week as well as doing workouts in the gym.’
And his strict regime payed off, with the father-of-three dropping almost three stone, transforming to his fittest form to-date.
An ecstatic Adrian said: ‘At the end of the 12-week challenge, I was in the best shape I’ve ever been in. The goal was to get fit and lighter, but to also try and build strength in my knee – I definitely achieved that.’
‘At the end of the 12-week challenge, I was in the best shape I’ve ever been in. The goal was to get fit and lighter, but to also try and build strength in my knee – I definitely achieved that.’ (seen with his wife following the transformation)
‘I currently sit around 13 stone 5 lbs, so I’ve put on 13 lbs since I did the transformation last year, but I feel stronger than I ever have before and my diabetes has settled down.
‘Now that my diet is more controlled I don’t have the same sugar spikes that I used to have – it feels so good be able to exercise again on a regular basis.’
‘I’ve completed several 10km runs and half marathons since my knee surgery and looking back completing the 12-week challenge last year has given me the confidence and motivation that was missing after my injury. I’ve even signed up for another half marathon in Lancaster later this year!’
To take part in the 2018 USN body makeover challenge visit USN Body Makeover UK
‘I currently sit around 85kg, so I’ve put on 6kg since I did the transformation last year, but I feel stronger than I ever have before and my diabetes has settled down,’ he said
‘I’ve completed several 10k runs and half marathons since my knee surgery and looking back completing the 12-week challenge last year has given me the confidence and motivation that was missing after my injury’ he said