(Picture: Fortitude Press)

Let’s take a moment to congratulate 37-year-old Charles Pask – who gave himself a goal, stuck to it, and lost an incredible amount of weight in a healthy way.

Charles has celebrated his accomplishment by taking a bath. That’s his first bath in 20 years, as he’d previously struggled to fit in his tub, so it’s more of a joy than it might sound.

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At 33 stones and 7.5lbs, and with a BMI almost three times over what it should be, Charles wasn’t happy.

He’d been offered weight loss surgery on the NHS, but turned it down because he didn’t want to lose his passion for food and cooking.




It was his friend’s diagnosis with cancer that motivated Charles to make a change.

In 2016, a friend was diagnosed with cancer. Distraught, Charles promised her he’d change his lifestyle and shift the weight once and for all, to help keep her motivated as she battled cancer.

The signs it was time to lose weight had begun to build up, too.

(Picture: Fortitude Press)

‘I had wanted to do something about my weight for many years but I was lazy and I was getting away with it health wise,’ says Charles.

‘But I began seeing signs of my body giving in.

‘I woke up one night and when I stood up I heard a crunching sound in my knees.

‘This was really scary and it turned out I have crepitus which meant my weight had softened my kneecaps.

‘I was also wearing 8XL shirts and 66” waist jeans and was struggling to find clothes to buy and get in and out of my car.’

His weight was holding Charles back, preventing him from sitting in plane seats or having a soak in a bath.

He decided to join Slimming World, with the hope that the food plan would help him drop the weight without leaving him hungry.

(Picture: Fortitude Press)

Charles went from constant snacking and takeaways to a regular meal plan.

In the space of 15 months (a healthy period of time to make a lifestyle change, rather than doing a crash diet), Charles has lost 14 stone. He’s lost 28 inches from his waist. He’s six clothes sizes smaller.

And he can finally relax in the bath.

‘Simple things like getting into a bath are taken for granted by many but I couldn’t do this,’ explains Charles.

‘I had my first bath for over 20 years whilst on holiday in Cornwall in July and it was a surreal but fantastic moment.

‘In October this year I have also booked my first flight with a single seat flying from London to New York with Virgin Atlantic with my girlfriend.

‘I have so much more self worth now and being able to see a future is something I cherish whilst others may take it for granted.’

(Picture: Fortitude Press)

Alongside sticking to the SlimmingWorld plan, Charles credits his lifestyle change to his girlfriend, who he says has been a huge inspiration.



‘I have had so much amazing support from friends, family and colleagues since I began my Slimming World journey,’ says Charles.

‘However my biggest inspiration and support comes from my girlfriend who I met when I was still at the start of my weight loss journey weighing over 30 stone.

‘She is amazing as she didn’t see a man with a weight problem, she saw the man I truly was, someone with a lot of love to give but someone who thought he would be alone forever.

‘She has changed my life and I cannot wait to see what our future holds.’

He’s proof that encouraging change isn’t about judgement or extreme diets – it’s about acceptance, and providing the support people need to stick to a plan that works for them.

(Picture: Fortitude Press)

Charles has been documenting his weight loss journey on Instagram, and now hopes to inspire others on their own transformations.

‘My hope is to reach as many people as possible and help them to be happier and healthier just as I have had others inspire me,’ he says.

‘I am focusing on losing as much weight as I can before mid-October when we go on holiday and I want to look into the possibility of plastic surgery for the excess skin I have.

‘I am still not at the end of my weight loss journey with wanting to get to that healthy BMI.

‘It’s important for anyone on a weight loss journey that it needs to be a lifestyle not a diet as you need to commit to the long term of healthy eating and making those important food choices.


‘I am keen to encourage other men to get healthier as many struggle to take that first step and admit they need help.

‘The plan can help anyone and my own success can hopefully encourage others to do the same and change their lives.’

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