A man who was on the brink of death due to his alcohol and junk food addiction has revealed how he lost 15st in a bid to add 10 years to his life.
Martin Davis was warned by doctors that if he didn’t change his ways, he’d be ‘dead within months’.
He used to start his day with a bacon baguette from Greggs and a large cappuccino.
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It might not sound like a lot at first, but then four sugars into his hot drink would be factored in, along with a second sausage, egg and bacon baguette, as well as five triple chocolate cookies.
His junk food eating habits, along with drinking at least a bottle of vodka per day, had him tipping the scales at 27st 7lbs.
But Martin, aged 58, just couldn’t find a way to break the never-ending cycle of addiction.
Until it became clear he was knocking on death’s door.
“I was told by my doctor I had to stop drinking and lose weight,” the van dispatch coordinator, from Derby, told Need To Know.
“If I didn’t, I would be dead within months.
“But if I changed my ways, I would add ten years to my life.
“At the time, I was waking up choking and unable to breathe since I couldn’t lie flat.
“So I started drinking heavily to help me go out like a light.
“And I also began sleeping in a recliner chair.
“But that wasn’t right.
“I wanted to sleep in a proper bed again.
“And I didn’t want to rely on someone else to look after me.
“Not being able to do anything myself is my idea of a nightmare.
“I’d rather die.”
Martin had also dreamed of the day he would see both his kids graduate from university.
He knew, though, with the way he was going, this wouldn’t become reality.
He said: “It was around November 2020.
“I felt really ill.
“I had chest pains that felt like a chest infection and was getting out of breath all the time.
“I got rushed to the hospital after my blood pressure spiked and my heart was racing at the doctor’s.
“I was drinking a lot of alcohol, but, at the time, it didn’t seem like a problem.
“Now, I realise I was a functioning alcoholic.
“While sitting in that hospital room, being hooked up to machines, I spoke to God and said I’d make him a deal.
“If I changed my ways, would he get me out of there and give me the chance to stay alive for a bit longer – for my kids.
“I stopped drinking right away and haven’t touched a drop since.
“But I was a total mess.
“Getting shirts to fit was a nightmare, and I had to wear vests underneath my work t-shirts as my belly kept protruding out.
“Female work colleagues told me I looked disgusting.
“And I’d often be called ‘fat bastard’ or told that I smelled because I was so fat.”
Aside from his aforementioned breakfast, Martin would have a Big Mac from McDonald’s for lunch, along with a large plate filled with frozen goods, such as nuggets and chips, for tea.
After his health scare, though, he ditched the cakes, chocolate bars and takeaways cold turkey.
He cut out carbs, and now, instead, he eats nuts for breakfast and lunch, with a pack of mussels, prawns, olives, onion, lettuce and beetroot for dinner.
Or, he’ll cook his own curry or chilli, which lasts him for six days.
And, for a snack, he’ll have tuna on toast or Babybels.
Despite switching up his eating habits and the pounds falling off, Martin’s health was rapidly declining.
He was diagnosed with nine heart conditions, all of which carry a life expectancy of five to 10 years: obstructive sleep apnoea, swelling of lymph nodes, liver damage, kidney dysfunction and arthritis.
He knew it would take a miracle to help him build up strength in a bid to achieve his goal.
And then, while he was at work, he was chatting to a customer who mentioned a personal trainer, Clive Fearon, who helps people through private training.
Martin began with one-to-one boxing lessons, as well as setting up a gym in the comfort of his own home and began walking 14,000 steps each morning.
Within two years, he was down to 12st 5lbs.
Martin added: “I’m still ill – and nothing will change that.
“But I hope I get to achieve my goal of seeing my son graduate just like my daughter has done.
“It’s been a learning experience finding out a lot about foods; what’s in them and what they do to your body.
“Stopping drinking was easier than I thought it would be, but I understand how people can get addicted now.
“If I can do it, then there really is no reason why anyone else can’t.
“I could’ve carried on the way I was, quit my job and claimed benefits while I ate and drank myself to death.
“Instead, I decided to push myself and will continue to do so for as long as I can.
“And, when the time comes, at least I know my deal with God was a success.”
Clive added: “Martin’s journey is incredible.
“The fact we were able to help him shift 15 stone using solution-focused coaching is something I am incredibly proud of.
“He’s changed his mindset, which we all talk about and gloss over.
“But he doesn’t wake up thinking he’s got to walk his dog to lose weight – he actually looks forward to it now.
“Likewise, with food, he no longer eats to cope with stress, and that’s enabled him to keep developing.
“This is the secret to long-term weight management.”
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