A GORBALS man has defied the odds by losing an incredible 10 stone in under two years. 

Michael Findlay, 23, began his weight loss journey after years of health issues, bullying from kids in school and frightening advice from his GP. 

He said: “I have always struggled with health issues and my weight, ever since I was a teenager and I also have hydrocephalus which can make things difficult.”

Glasgow Times:

Michael was diagnosed with Hydrocephalus, a condition in which fluid surrounds the brain, in 2013, while also being diagnosed with epilepsy at the same time. 

“With everything else going on, I also got a scary piece of advice from my GP.

READ MORE: Milngavie toddler in urgent need of stem cell donor to survive

“I went to the doctor one day when I was 18-years-old and weighed around 18 stone and he told me that I was heart attack material. 

“I also used to get bullied for my weight for a lot of my teenage years and it has followed me for years, so with everything, it forced me to make a change.

“I tried from then on to cut down but it wasn’t sticking until this time where I was determined to make it happen.”

Glasgow Times: Michael at the age of 21 at his heaviest weight. Michael at the age of 21 at his heaviest weight.

Michael began his weight loss journey in September 2019 and has since slimmed down from just under 22st to 11st 9lbs, incredibly not gaining even half a pound in the 16 months he committed to losing weight.

He joined a local Slimming World group after agreeing to go along with a family friend, something which he says has helped his confidence in losing weight. 

He said: “I wasn’t going to go along at first because I was so nervous and I think I was embarrassed if I’m honest. 

“So for the rest of that week, I thought about it and forced myself to go because I thought at the end of the day I’m going to help myself by doing it. 

“I’m glad I forced myself  because it was the push I needed.”

Michael has also not only helped his own health by losing weight, but has also used the lifestyle change to help raise money for charity. 

Glasgow Times:

Only last month, he ran 50 miles in a fundraiser for cancer charity Maggie’s, raising £470 for the cause: 

“Doing the run for Maggie’s is something that I could never imagine doing before. 

“I could barely walk the length of me, so to be able to do that means a lot and it was for a good cause.

“I’m doing things that I’ve never been able to do.”

READ MORE: Warning Glasgow City Council may change green wheelie bin policy

Michael has also said that although lockdown has kept many people inside and away from the gyms, this hasn’t stopped him getting out and staying active. 

He said: “I do loads of walking, which I’m able to do even during coronavirus and lockdown. 

“It was great to see that the walking was helping, alongside eating healthier, and it has given me so much more energy too.

“I definitely couldn’t have pictured myself like this five years ago.”

And Michael says that the support of family and friends through his weight loss journey has encouraged him to keep going. 

He said: “They have been fantastic, really supportive of me. 

“My mum and the rest of my family have been cheering me on, and so have friends and people from the group, which kept me going. 

“It’s nice to get that support because it is difficult sometimes. 

“I think I’ve lost the weight I wanted to lose, so now it’s just working to keep it off.”