Former ‘bottle a night’ man drops almost half his body weight

A father shed almost half his body weight after ditching takeaways and a 'bottle of wine a night' habit

Dave Aguilera, from Bradwell in Staffordshire, dropped 11 stone and also rekindled his relationship with son Isaac. After his son remarked that he 'never wanted to do anything or go anywhere', Aguilera set about transforming his physique. He now trains five days a week and weighs a healthy 12 stone. Aguilera's situation had taken a severe turn when, at 23 stone, he was diagnosed with type-two diabetes. Unhealthy habits originally made it difficult for Dave. He used to drink at least one bottle of wine a night - often even more. This was generally coupled with fatty foods and takeaways. He admittedly became embarrassed about his health and became reclusive as a result.

"I used to consume a massive English breakfast most mornings and would often have fish and chips or a curry throughout the day followed by a tub of ice-cream. "I’d then wash this all down with at least one, if not two bottles of wine every evening as well as some sweets and chocolates which have given me type 2 diabetes."

He became embarrassed about his weight and the way he looked, rarely leaving the house.

"I was so embarrassed about the way I used to look. I used to sweat all the time and couldn’t walk far at all. "My belly would hang out of the bottom of my top and it was embarrassing."

When his son claimed that he never wanted to go anywhere or do anything, Aguilera decided change was needed. Initially, he experienced some success. Aguilera lost eight stone through exercise bike workouts, but then put five stone back on. It was then that he opted for a different approach, joining Xercise4Less in Newcastle under Lyme.

"After joining the gym, my life changed massively and I currently weigh an incredible 12-stone. I train every weekday and do at least two hours of training a day, with weights and cardio."

Aguilera's relationship with his son has improved massively.

"Me and my son now enjoy a great life together. My son says he’s got his Dad back, and I’ve motivated him in his own life."

While he wants to continue progressing on his health and fitness journey, Dave also has ambitions to help others in the same position he once was.

"I want to help others achieve what I did. I’d love to get involved with a weight loss organisation or even help those who are struggling with their drinking habits. "I see it as an addiction and an addiction is something you have to break. For me, going to the gym was the way I achieved this."

Dave's 'before' diet: Breakfast: four rounds of toast, three sausages, three slice of bacon, black pudding, beans, tomatoes, cheese, three hash browns Lunch: fish and chips, three rounds of bread and lots of chocolate and sweets Dinner: take away chicken Jalfrezi with pilau rice or chips, onion bhajis and poppadums and one or two bottles of wine Dave's 'after' diet: Breakfast: three turkey rashers and two boiled eggs Lunch:  two chicken breasts with spinach and basmati rice Dinner: half a jacket potato with spinach and either tuna or chicken