Cheap suit triggers four-stone weight loss for Plumbase director

For a man who has always bought a superior quality suit, having to buy one from Sainsbury at the last minute was enough to kick-start a dramatic four-stone weight loss campaign. His success story has been published as a ‘Fat to Fit’ feature in the March issue of Men’s Running UK magazine.

Plumbase regional director, Ian Golden, was worried that his existing suit would be too tight for a flight to Belgium for a company meeting. In a panic he dashed into his local supermarket and bought one with a 48” chest and 44” waist. This was the point at which he decided to mount a get-fit campaign.

Six months later he has slimmed down from 18 to 14 stone and has become a fitness fanatic, running almost daily and having completed a 60-mile charity cycle ride.

“My whole attitude to life has changed and I’m a much more positive, motivated individual,” says Ian. “In the past, when I had a difficult time, I would call into a service station and eat some fast food. Now I make time in my day to have a run and while I pound the streets I get rid of the day’s stress and get those feel good endorphins pumping around.”

Ian’s first step was to join a Slimming World group which he still attends. He also signed up for a 60-mile bike ride and raised £1,275 for the Willow Foundation. His first run was a 5k distance in August 2011 and from there he was hooked. His distances have increased and his times have improved dramatically. This year he competed in a 10k run on New Year’s Day, he’s booked for two bike rides (60 miles and 100-miles), a half marathon in May and a duathlon in September.

“When I flew over to Belgium for the Plumbase meeting, the flight crew had to ask if my seat belt was fastened because they couldn’t see it,” recalls Ian. “I’ll never have to face that again, or having to buy a nasty suit in a huge size.

“As a regional director I travel quite a lot, but now I book a hotel where I know I can get out and have a run. I’m competing in the London Dualthlon and trying to convince some mates to join me for a cycle ride from Vietnam to Cambodia. This time last year I had no idea that I could tackle any of these challenges. It’s no exaggeration to say my life has been transformed and I’m enjoying every minute of it.”

His story, his dedication and his opinions have interested plenty of others and Ian now has over 700 Twitter followers.