I’ll be honest—writing this and sharing my personal story isn’t easy. I’ve never really been the type to open up like this. But if even one person reading this feels inspired to take the first step towards improving their health, then it’s worth it.
This isn’t a “quick fix” success story. It’s about slow progress, setbacks, determination, and the realization that it’s never too late to turn things around.
The Early Struggles: From Quitting Smoking to Gaining Weight
Years ago, I made one of the best decisions of my life—I quit smoking. It wasn’t easy, but I did it. Around the same time, I switched careers, moving into IT management. It was a big change, and like many desk jobs, it meant a lot of sitting, long hours in front of screens, and not much movement.
Without realizing it, the pounds started creeping on. Days of sitting at a desk, evenings on the sofa, and little to no physical activity took their toll. At my heaviest, I tipped the scales at 130 kg—that’s about 20 stone 7 pounds or 286 pounds.
I didn’t notice how much I was slipping until one day, I did. And it hit me hard.
COVID-19: The Wake-Up Call
In 2020, like so many others, I caught COVID-19. But for me, it wasn’t just a rough week of feeling sick—it wrecked my lungs.
For weeks, I was completely out of commission. Simple walks of 5-10 minutes left me breathless, and exercise? Forget it. I was stuck in a loop of lying on the sofa, watching TV or YouTube, thinking about how bad things had gotten—but feeling too overwhelmed to make a change.
During a routine CT scan to check my lungs, a doctor noticed something unrelated but equally concerning: my liver didn’t look good. More tests followed, and I was diagnosed with NAFLD (Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease).
It felt like the final nail in the coffin. My health was spiraling, and it felt out of my control.
The Turning Point: Finding Intermittent Fasting
But then, during one of those endless YouTube scrolls, I stumbled upon something—intermittent fasting. It wasn’t sold as a magic bullet, just a different approach to eating.
I figured, why not try? I combined it with a lower-carb diet (I wasn’t super strict but made smarter choices), and the results stunned me.
Within a few months, the weight started to fall off. I felt my energy creeping back. I wasn’t running marathons, but I was walking again—usually doing three laps around my local lake, about 5 km (just over 3 miles).
And for the first time in a long time, I didn’t feel stuck.
Building Strength: My Way, My Pace
As my stamina improved, I wanted more. But here’s the thing—I’m not exactly a “gym guy.” I’m a bit introverted, and the idea of lifting weights in front of a crowd wasn’t appealing.
So, I started small, using resistance devices at home. No fancy gym memberships or heavy-duty machines—just equipment I could use in my own space, at my own pace.
Week by week, I got stronger.
And then, something incredible happened:
After about a year, a new blood test showed that my liver had healed.
It wasn’t just numbers on a chart. It was proof that the work I was doing was making a real difference.
Stronger—Inside and Out
Today, I’m lifting heavy objects at work—50-60 kg (that’s 110-132 pounds)—without breaking a sweat. My endurance is up, my strength has multiplied, and for the first time in years, I feel capable.
But it’s not just about the physical changes.
Mentally, I’m in a better place too. I’m not saying I’m perfect—far from it—but I can set goals and actually achieve them. I feel energized. I have dreams again.
Even my personal life has seen positive shifts. I was able to work through long-standing issues in my relationship—something that felt impossible before when I was mentally drained and physically stuck.
The Takeaway: Small Steps, Big Changes
If you’re reading this and thinking, “It’s too late for me”—it’s not.
I know what it’s like to feel stuck on the sofa, trapped by your own health and bad habits. But I’m proof that even when you’re deep in it, you can turn things around.
And no, it doesn’t have to start with giant leaps. It can be small, almost laughably tiny steps—a short walk, a smarter meal, a few minutes of movement. But the key is:
👉 Keep making those steps. Even if they’re slow. Even if they’re messy. Just don’t stop.
Because one day, you’ll look back and realize you’re not where you started anymore—you’re miles ahead.
✨ It’s never too late to improve, to heal, or even just to slow down the decline. Start today. And if today feels too hard? Try again tomorrow.
You’re stronger than you think. 💪
If you’re on a similar journey or thinking about starting, I’d love to hear your story. Sometimes, sharing is the first step. 😊
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