Husband sheds half bodyweight to care for ill wife

Published on 11/09/2009 22:07

A MAN has lost almost half his weight after realising he was too fat to care for his seriously ill wife.

Morbidly obese John Lindsay weighed a mammoth 18.5 stone thanks to an unhealthy diet.

The 54-year-old from Troon, Ayrshire, had been looking after his wife Pamela, 55, who is battling the muscle-wasting disease multiple sclerosis.

But after realising he couldn't hulk his weight around and tend to his wife's round-the-clock care he decided to lose weight.

Now Mr Lindsay, who works as a full-time engineer, weighs the same as he did on his wedding day, after shedding seven stone.

Last night, he revealed that he made the decision following a holiday to Devon.

He said: "I had high blood pressure, stomach problems and migraines, and I would get out of breath after climbing the stairs. Doctors told me I was lucky I hadn't had a stroke or developed diabetes.

"Then last year Pamela and I went on holiday to Devon. The whole trip hit home how much round-the-clock care she needed and made me realise that I had to change.

"I knew that if I didn't act soon my health problems would be so bad that I wouldn't be able to care for my wife properly."

Mr Lindsay piled on the pounds after gorging on unhealthy treats whenever he got a break from his full-time job and caring for his wife.

And he added: "I realised I was so busy looking after Pamela I wasn't taking care of myself.

"I would never have a proper meal and instead would just grab something whenever I could. I never cooked for myself, I hardly ever ate fruit or veg and, to top it off, I never exercised."

So with the encouragement of his wife, John joined Slimming World and despite being the only man at the weekly meetings, soon saw the pounds melt off.

Now, as well as exercising every day, John makes sure he has three balanced meals a day with plenty of greens.

He said: "Since losing the weight all my health problems have vanished and people who haven't seen me for a while do a double-take when they pass me on the street."