Dave Taylor, 46, had always struggled with his weight and hit 24st 4lbs and a size 5XL at his heaviest but looks completely different after losing 11 stone in nine months.
Embarking on the Cambridge 1:1 diet, which consists of meal replacements, Dave achieved a life-altering transformation, shedding 11 stone in just nine months. Now weighing in at 14st 4lbs—although his weight can fluctuate up to 17st—Dave comfortably fits into medium-sized clothes.
The extent of his physical change was so drastic that not only did his smartphone fail to recognise him, but the doorbell camera at his parents’ home couldn’t either.
Dave, who works as a senior project manager in construction, expressed his astonishment: “On my own doorbell I saw myself when I watched the video back and I thought ‘who is that?’
“My parents have a doorbell that recognises people. I have been since I lost the weight and it didn’t know it was me because my face has changed so much.
“I’ve had to change my face ID on my phone. I had to try it a couple of times before my phone would let me in.”
For Dave, always known as a “big” lad since his teens, his pet dog Henry was the wake-up call he needed. It wasn’t until he began noticing his reduced mobility during walks with Henry that he realised how significantly his weight affected his everyday life.
He recounted, “When I first got him I could walk fine – my mobility got worse.
“I’d take him down the road and had to hang on the wall with my hip in agony.”
Dave started his weight loss journey after a grim warning from doctors at an annual check-up suggested he was on the path to diabetes. A friend’s success with the Cambridge 1:1 diet inspired him to embark on his own health transformation starting in June 2024.
Initially, Dave replaced meals before eventually incorporating low-calorie dinners into his routine. Homemade dishes like stir fries and chicken with vegetables replaced frozen meals, culminating in an impressive nine-month drop to 14st 4lbs.
With his new physique, Dave donated his old wardrobe to charity and revelled in the ability to shop at high street favourites such as Next.
Reflecting on his past struggles, he said: “Before it would take a long time to clean the house.
“I would dust and vacuum the bedroom and be exhausted.
“Now I can do the whole house in two hours.”
Walking his dog Henry has become a symbol of his improved health; something he doesn’t take for granted. He openly expressed: “The more that I walk with him – it’s not a given that I’m able to do that.
“When I walk and play with him – it’s not lost on me that it could have gone the other way.
“I never underestimate the value of how my life has changed.”
While Dave admits his weight has seen slight fluctuations since — currently around 17st — he maintains a positive outlook, equipped with the knowledge to return to his goal weight. In his own words: “It’s not a miracle cure – I have got to work at it.”
His transformation saw him go from a hefty 25st 4lbs down to a svelte 14st 4lbs, trading in 5XL garments for a sharp 32-inch waist in jeans and medium-sized tops.
Prior Diet:
Breakfast: Skipped.
Lunch: Sandwich meal deal.
Dinner: Frozen meals/takeaway/oven chips.
Snacks: Chocolate, sweets.
Revised Diet:
Breakfast: Bacon medallions and omelette.
Lunch: Caesar salad with low fat dressing.
Dinner: Healthy fried rice, chicken and vegetables.