Coniston dad with diabetes shares his inspiring weight loss story

Mathew Kiziuk, of Water Yeat near Coniston, said that the wake-up call he needed came while he was on holiday last year when he was struggling to balance due to nerve issues in his toes, which led to him falling and being unable to get up.

The 42-year-old said two Germans had to help him get his 23-stone frame up from the ground.

He also could not be active with his children as he would have been previously, which was the true cause for his change.

BEFORE: Mathew Kiziuk on his previous diet on holiday in Greece

"I got back from that holiday thoroughly depressed and overweight," the SAIC MAXUS UK regional manager said.

"Stewart from Barrow diabetes team at the hospital trust has been phenomenal and put me in touch with a dietician there who I had a chat with about what needed to change."

The father-of-two explained that he cut down on sugary foods, potatoes, bread, and rice, replacing them with salad and low-fat meats such as chicken and fish, all home-cooked.

HEALTHY: Mathew Kiziuk on the shakes

Not only has this way of life brought him down to just over 18 stone in weight, but it has seen him have more energy, feel healthier, allowed him to spend more time with his family cooking, and it has even stopped him from snoring.

"I have always been a big lad and I have had times where I have not been the healthiest, so if I can do it, anyone can," he said.

"If you have the desire and the mindset to do it, you can do it!"

Mr Kiziuk’s target weight is 16 stone so he still has work to do, but given the progress he has made since starting this change in mid-November, it is only a matter of time before he hits that mark.

His return to work after the Christmas period – when he lost a pound despite allowing himself to have the full Christmas dinner luxuries – saw him make a conscious effort to plan his meals so that he would not slip back into his old snacking ways, and he suggested those who have that issue should go for rice cakes as a healthier option.

Now, when people ask him how much weight he has lost, he just picks up his pet Hungarian Vizsla, Enzo, as a representation of the weight which he says he 'cannot believe' he used to carry around on him.

PET: Mathew Kiziuk with dog Enzo

“It has been a real journey,” he said. “But it has been a positive one, I cannot think of anything bad that has come out of it.

“It has even brought us closer together as a family.”

The current program he is on has seen more than half its participants have their Type 2 diabetes reversed, which Mr Kiziuk hopes will be him in the near future.