Nigel Signs Up For South Run After Six Stone Loss

To enter the Simplyhealth Great South Run, visit: Greatrun.org/South

A man who lost over six stone in just one year after a nightmare holiday left him being mocked by locals will take on a 10-mile running challenge after he used exercise to change his life.

Nigel Redman, from Poole in Dorset, saw his weight creep up to over 17 stone.

After working in the railway industry for 15 years, he would eat takeaways and fatty convenience food most days.

Following a medical at work, Nigel was told his blood pressure was extremely high and I realised he had to change his lifestyle but had no idea where to start.

It wasn’t until he was on holiday in Turkey that he decided enough was enough. As he walked past a local market stall holder on holiday, the t-shirt seller mocked the size of his T-shirt, asking if he needed extra extra extra large.

The shock and embarrassment was enough to kickstart Nigel into a healthy eating regime, swapping his takeaways for healthy alternatives.

He also took up running and managed to lose over six stone in a year. He started making sure he ate white meat, along with fresh vegetables and always home cooked everything.

Nigel dropped from 17 stone 3 and is now 11 stone.

He wants to celebrate his achievement by taking on the Simplyhealth Great South Run on Sunday 21 October.

Nigel, 48, said: “I work on the railway and I had such an unhealthy diet. I would think nothing of picking up a pre-made sandwich from the shops or a takeaway and have it for lunch.

“I had a medical at work and they told me that I had bad blood pressure, but I just had no motivation to start to lose weight.

“In August 2016 I went on holiday to Turkey and that was the turning point for me. The locals in the resort where we were staying sniggered at me and asked if I needed a size XXXL t-shirt.

“I felt humiliated, I always wore baggy clothes because deep down I knew I didn’t like how I looked but this left me wanting to turn my life around.

“I started eating more healthily, making salads and pasta for my lunch at work, instead of being tempted to go to the shops.

“The weight soon began to fall off me and I decided that I wanted to start a new exercise hoppy, so I started running.

“I absolutely love it, by exercising and a more controlled diet I managed to lose six stone in a year.

“I never shy away from fitted clothes anymore and it’s been a huge confidence boost for me.

“I joined a local running club, Poole Runners, and I have never looked back. I was looking for something to celebrate my achievements and so I decided to enter the Simplyhealth Great South Run.”

Nigel will join 20,000 others who will make the Simplyhealth Great South Run their Greatest Victory this Autumn. Whatever their pace or motivation, the participants will take on a 10-mile challenge across a fast and flat course that makes the most of Portsmouth’s iconic sights and celebrate everything that’s great about the city.

The weekend also includes the Simplyhealth Great South 5k and the Simplyhealth Junior and Mini Great South Run, taking place the day before.

Nigel added: “When I lost all of the weight, I started to see myself in a totally different way and I realised I had changed my life.

“I now run regularly, something I never thought I would be able to do and I decided to enter this event because I knew how amazing it was.

“It’s so well known in the south region, I wanted to celebrate my achievements by doing something that would be fun and also a real challenge for me.”

To enter the Simplyhealth Great South Run, visit: Greatrun.org/South