A DAD transformed his body after feeling like he was killing himself with a fast food habit that saw him eat 50 takeaways a month.
Food critic Matt Binge, 36, says he’s gone from kebabs to abs after easily consuming 10,000 calories each day.
CatersMatt’s fast food habit that saw him eat 50 takeaways a month (before weight loss)[/caption]
The dad shed 4st 7lbs and developed a muscular physique thanks to his new passion for weightlifting (after weight loss)Instagram / @foodreviewclub
At his heaviest, he weighed 24st 4lbs and was genuinely scared for his life.
“I was effectively killing myself,” the dad from Cambridge said.
“I was fat, but I was also inflated and bloated – even putting my socks on or getting in and out of a car was an issue.”
His huge eating habits left him feeling like he was about to have a heart attack or stroke at any given time, but since turning his back on his ‘toxic lifestyle’ Matt has transformed his life and his body.
Matt has always been a foodie.
He started doing food reviews five years ago, and eventually, it became his full-time job after launching his own YouTube channel, the Food Review Club.
For his job, he would eat at between eight and ten restaurants and fast food venues each week.
While at restaurants, he would sample multiple items from different menus, which, he believed, led to him eating up to 10,000 calories a day.
Could hardly walk
Once this started to slip, his eating outside of work began to go downhill, too.
Soon, he found he had no limit on the biscuits, crisps, fizzy drinks and chocolate he was consuming.
Matt’s toxic lifestyle left him feeling unhappy and depressed.
He had no self-esteem or confidence, his clothes didn’t fit him, and he could hardly walk, which he found embarrassing.
As well as being extremely overweight, he felt bloated, inflated and swollen, and constantly felt like he was going to have a heart attack.
Being overweight or obese can increase the risk of type 2 diabetes, coronary heart disease, cancer and strokes.
The NHS says some genes are linked to obesity, but it is mostly caused by eating junk food and not exercising enough.
Major change
But it was only when his wife discovered she was pregnant with their first child that Matt decided to take his health seriously and book a blood test.
“I wanted to be around for our new son,” Matt said.
The results came as a wake-up call for the dad-to-be, pushing him to start his weight loss and fitness journey in September 2022.
“I feel great now,” he said.
“Every aspect of my life has changed, including personal and business relationships.
“I think being in good physical shape says something about you as a person before you even speak compared to being fat, sluggish and a bit of a slob.”
CatersAt his heaviest, the YouTuber weighed 24st 4lbs and was genuinely scared for his life (before weight loss)[/caption]
Matt wanted to lose weight so he could be there for his son (after weight loss)Instagram / @frclifts
How to lose weight
There are lots of ways you can lose weight, from making small changes to what you eat and drink to finding more support.
According to the NHS, to get the best possible start on its weight loss plan, there are the seven steps you should follow.
Get active for 150 minutes a week – you can break this up into shorter sessions
Aim to get your 5 A Day – 80g of fresh, canned or frozen fruit or vegetables count as 1 portion
Aim to lose 1 to 2lbs, or 0.5 to 1kg, a week
Read food labels – products with more green colour coding than amber and red are often a healthier option
Awap sugary drinks for water – if you do not like the taste, add slices of lemon or lime for flavour
Cut down on food that’s high in sugar and fat – start by swapping sugary cereal for wholegrain alternatives
Share your weight loss plan with someone you trust – they can help motivate you when you have a bad day
Falling in love with health and fitness
Since the beginning of his fitness journey, Matt has shed 4st 7lbs [66lbs] and developed a muscular physique thanks to his new passion for weightlifting.
“I quickly developed a love for it [weightlifting] and was excited to do it each day,” he said.
“It wasn’t a chore because getting to the gym was a nice break in my day, and I really wanted to do this so it felt easy.”
On top of this, Matt had to completely change his relationship with food.
CatersThe food critic felt unhappy and depressed as a result of his toxic lifestyle (before weight loss)[/caption]
CatersMatt has now fallen in love with weightlifting (after weight loss)[/caption]
CatersThe dad still reviews restaurants but makes sure to eat healthily when he’s home (after weight loss)[/caption]
CatersMatt says there is nothing wrong with enjoying a takeaway once a week (after weight loss, with his new son)[/caption]
“I had to teach myself how to control my eating and how to enjoy everything in moderation,” he said.
Although Matt still reviews restaurants, this diet outside of work looks very different.
“I eat a very clean and balanced diet now,” he explained.
“I’m a big believer in the fact that good food that we enjoy doesn’t have to be bad for us – we just need to have more balance,” he added;
“There’s nothing wrong with getting together with your family on a Friday and ending the week with a takeaway.
“It’s just important to live with a bit of control.”
Matt’s diet: before vs after weight loss
BEFORE DIET:
BREAKFAST: Grab anything on the go – Greggs meal deal with steak bake and a doughnut
LUNCH: Pizza or fish and chips with all the sides and puddings from the food venue he was reviewing
DINNER: Cook large family dinner with dessert – packets of crisps while it was cooking
SNACKS: Chocolate, crisps, packet of biscuits and a pint of milk before bed – if he saw food then he would have eaten it.
AFTER DIET:
BREAKFAST: Porridge, peanut butter, berries and protein shake
MEAL TWO: Chicken, sticky rice and veg
MEAL THREE: Ribeye, rice and veg
MEAL FOUR: Chicken, pasta and veg
MEAL FIVE: Ribeye, pasta and veg
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