Recovering Alcoholic Loses More Than Four Stone After Going Seven Months Sober

A recovering alcoholic has lost more than four stone and turned his life around after going seven months sober.

Ian Smith, from Coatbridge, Scotland, had spiralled out of control, regularly bingeing on booze and junk food.

Ian Smith

But the dad-of-two could see the damage his lifestyle was causing both him and his family, so in February, he resolved to do something about it.

Speaking to LADbible, the 41-year-old said: "My drinking was basically well out of control and it was for a while - I lived for my next drink.

"I saw the hurt I was causing around me to my wife, daughters and granddaughter and wanted to change and not rely on alcohol; to wake up in the morning with a smile on my face and feeling fresh; to go to work without a hangover and to see my family smile with me again."

As well as trading in alcohol and soft drinks for water, the painter and decorator also started jogging, beginning with small steps and building up. Seven months on, and Ian has covered around 800 miles.

Ian Smith

Ian said: "I have lost around four stone since February, although I didn't weigh myself when I first started in December as I was embarrassed, so it's probably more.

"I started off by walking and slowly upped it with small jogs in between until I could jog three miles, and started upping the distance more - my biggest jog to date is 16.7 mile.

"Staying sober and keeping fit are both hard to maintain, but I feel they both work off each other. My aim is to stay sober first and foremost, if I can maintain my jogging brilliant. I know I can do both with support from family and close friends.

"If I'm not sober I won't stay with the eating healthy and jogging."

Ian's transformation is mirrored by his dietary transformation. Gone are the takeaways, sausage and chips, crisps and chocolate, which have been replaced by pasta, brown bread, Weetabix, fruit and yoghurt.

Ian Smith

Ian says he has never felt better, explaining: "The advice I would tell any one is to admit defeat with alcohol and seek help asap. It will only get worse.

"I'm sitting healthy, happy with everyone around me happy as well. The support I get from all my family and close friends is unbelievable. The jogging and eating healthy is my bonus.

"People need to want it inside, get home from work, get ready, go on a walk - the feeling I get when I get in from a good jog is unbelievable."

Ian shared his story in a tweet which has gone viral, receiving more than 50,000 likes.

Ian said: "My word it has been absolutely amazing. I have people messaging me asking for advice and I'm hoping I have helped them. If I have helped one of them, I'm a winner."

You can find local alcohol support services here or call Drinkline helpline on 0300 123 1110 (weekdays 9am to 8pm, weekends 11am to 4pm).

Topics: Awesome, Daily Ladness, Inspirational, Alcohol, Community

Jake Massey

Jake Massey is a journalist at LADbible. He graduated from Newcastle University, where he learnt a bit about media and a lot about living without heating. After spending a few years in Australia and New Zealand, Jake secured a role at an obscure radio station in Norwich, inadvertently becoming a real-life Alan Partridge in the process. From there, Jake became a reporter at the Eastern Daily Press. Jake enjoys playing football, listening to music and writing about himself in the third person.

@jakesmassey