Former Mayor of Bishop Auckland, Lee Brownson is now a shadow of his former self.
During the last few years his weight steadily increased to 17stone 4lbs, and just 8 months later, he now weighs in at just 13st 6lbs.
Lee said; “I knew when I was the Mayor I’d put on a little extra weight due to all the meals and lifestyle however the trigger point was at Christmas when I was dressed as Santa Claus and during speaking to the children the belt popped open and I jokingly said ‘Oh Santa’s eaten too many mince pies!”
So, on the 1st of January he made a new year’s resolution to cut out all the junk food and no alcohol for at least two months. At first he found it quite difficult not to give in to the temptation but he had the will-power and determination.
He said; “Most of my clothes were tight and didn’t fit anymore and I didn’t want to buy bigger sizes. I thought if I could lose a stone I’d be happy with that, but to lose 4 stone is something I never thought I would ever achieve.”
Lots of local people have been asking him… ‘What’s the secret, how many times do you go to the gym, what diet are you on, are you going to a slimming class?’
Lee said; “There’s no real secret, just basic lifestyle changes. I try and do least 30 minutes of gentle exercise a day by walking and simple things like using the stairs instead of the lift at work.
“Rather than eating crisps, cakes and biscuits I now have fresh fruit smoothies and began drinking more water instead of fizzy pop.
“When I’m eating I make sure I stop when I feel full rather than eating everything on the plate and feeling bloated afterwards. “On a Sunday morning, I go for a bike ride for about 10-15 miles.
“I’m not counting calories, I still eat what I want and enjoy the odd dessert with a meal or a night out drinking, but not half as much as I did before.”
He added; “I hadn’t really noticed how much weight I had lost and how different I look until I was stood talking to someone in the town and someone I hadn’t seen for about a year ignored me and walked passed.
“A few minutes later she came back and apologised and said she didn’t even recognise me!”
His weight loss has also inspired several of his friends and work colleagues to lose weight and become healthier.
Brian Hegarty, who works as a security guard, said: “I was shocked and amazed at how much weight he had lost and thought if he can do it then so can I.
“I’ve got a few tips from him and now I’ve changed my eating habits and now regularly go for bike rides.”
Lee said; “If I can inspire other people to become healthier, lose weight and help them make changes in their life then it’s a win-win situation.
“The only downside with losing the weight is that all my clothes are now too big so I need to buy a whole new wardrobe.”