A self-styled recluse who thought he was 'too fat to find love' lost 10 stone and is now engaged, saying his now lifestyle regime gave him the confidence to 'put himself out there'.
Kenny Igumna, 36, tipped the scales at 23st 7lbs and struggled to squeeze into size 44-inch trousers and triple XL tops at his biggest. His weight had a severe impact on his mobility - he struggled to breathe and developed sleep apnoea and back pain.
Kenny told how his size made him feel anxious and depressed and turned him into a recluse - meaning he missed out on family functions and dating because he thought he was 'too fat'.
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But in January 2020, he decided enough was enough - and swapped takeaways for healthy casseroles and fruit as well as taking up cycling.
The pounds quickly dropped off and in seven months, he lost 10 stone. Kenny now weighs a healthier 15st and wears size 34-inch trousers. His transformation saw his confidence grow and in July, 2021, he met Leanna Jemififo, 35, an operations manager, on a dating app.
Kenny popped the big question at Christmas and the pair are now busy planning their wedding. Kenny, who now works as a weight loss consultant, started the 1:1 diet plan with Cambridge Weight Plan and is from Plumstead, southeast London.
Speaking of his amazing transformation to inspire others, he said: "My weight really messed up my confidence. I thought 'you are fat and you are never going to find someone.'
"When I put myself out there, I was looking for someone who had the same ideas as me - with health as a priority and was active like me. My weight gave me a lot of social anxiety, I wasn't happy going out because I knew I was going to overeat.
"I couldn't even walk down to the bus stop without sweating heavily. It caused me to feel low - I decided I didn't want to go out anymore. It has felt like I have a new lease of life, I feel like I have been given a second chance.
"All my health problems have disappeared and I have met someone who cares about me and I want to spend the rest of my life with her - she is the one for me."
Kenny met Leanne at Kyoto Gardens in Holland Park, London, for a date on July 4 2021, and proposed to her surrounded by family on Boxing Day. He added: "I suffered with a lot of anxiety, I wasn't going out, I went into panic mode after my sister said I could get diabetes - I was terrified.
"The best thing about losing weight is I got a new job, my heavy breathing stopped, my anxiety went down and I found myself a fiancé - it's been a full life transformation."
Before losing weight, Kenny said he was an "overeater" and snacked on sugary products like crisps, chocolate, biscuits and takeaways.
Now, he goes to the gym most days, eats protein-rich foods, vegetables and fruit and looks forward to continuing his fitness journey with Leanne.
He said: "We work out together, we do gym classes, long walks bicycle rides and days out to parks which helps with my mental health. It is helpful for our relationship for us both to be conscious about healthy eating. My main goal this year is to do a second London to Brighton ride and if possible take Leanne along with me."
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