When Josiah Ojofeitimi embarked on his nightly ritual of visiting the local corner shop for snacks, he had no inkling that this simple biscuit run would become the catalyst for a profound personal transformation. The 31-year-old father-of-two from Manchester, who at the time tipped the scales at a staggering 35 stone and was confined to XXXXL clothing, found himself confronted by agonising back pain and debilitating shortness of breath after just a five-minute walk.
A Moment of Truth at the Corner Shop
Mr Ojofeitimi recalls the pivotal moment with stark clarity. 'When I got back from my five minute walk, my back was killing. I was sweating and breathless,' he said. 'I looked in the mirror and said out loud "what's up with my back?" I saw my reflection and realised obviously that's what it was, so I ordered scales.' This simple act of self-reflection sparked a journey that would redefine his entire existence.
The Scale That Said 'Error'
Determined to confront his reality, Mr Ojofeitimi ordered heavy-duty scales capable of measuring up to 33 stone. To his profound embarrassment, when he stepped onto them, they simply flashed an 'error' message. 'The biggest scales I could find went up to 33 stone and when I stepped on them it said "error",' he admitted. 'I think I was around 35 stone. The thought of trying to lose the weight felt impossible.' This technological rejection served as the ultimate wake-up call about how far his eating habits had spiralled.
Rejecting Modern Shortcuts
In an era where GLP-1 medications like Wegovy, Mounjaro and Ozempic – commonly known as fat jabs – have become increasingly popular, Mr Ojofeitimi made a conscious decision to pursue weight loss through traditional means. Rather than turning to pharmaceutical solutions, he committed himself to completely overhauling his diet and exercise regimes through sheer willpower and discipline.
From Two Breakfasts to Keto Discipline
The Manchester resident openly acknowledges his previous eating habits were catastrophic. 'I'd wake up as late as I could and have a pint of apple juice, four slices of toast, a big bowl of cereal and a Penguin bar before I left the house,' he confessed. 'Then I'd have a second breakfast in the office with bacon, sausages and Ribena to wash it down. I'd get four packets of biscuits for a meeting with three people and eat most of them.' His evenings followed a similar pattern of excess, culminating in late-night kebabs, Doritos, chocolate and sweets.
Following his scale revelation, Mr Ojofeitimi implemented dramatic changes:
- He slashed his calorie intake significantly
- He adopted a strict keto diet for an entire year
- He incorporated daily walking, cycling and gym sessions
- He began meticulously tracking his food consumption
A Life Transformed
The results of his dedication have been nothing short of remarkable. Mr Ojofeitimi has successfully shed an incredible 16 stone, now weighing a healthy 19 stone and comfortably wearing XL clothing. His physical transformation has been so profound that it inspired him to leave his insurance career behind to become a fitness coach, helping others embark on similar journeys.
'I started moving my body more with walking and cycling,' he explained. 'I started going to the gym in the morning and tracking my calories. Even when I'd lost seven stone, I was still a significant weight to be running, but I did two marathons this year.' His approach maintains balance – he still enjoys birthday cake, Christmas chocolate and desserts when dining out, but with newfound control.
Regaining Freedom and Mobility
The practical improvements to his quality of life have been substantial. 'It's been life changing,' Mr Ojofeitimi emphasised. 'Wherever I went, it had to revolve around me not walking. Now I don't have to rely on taxis to get around and I don't have to book the end seat at the football or feel unfortunate for whoever is sat next to me on a plane.' He recalls a taxi driver who remembered him taking up the entire back seat – a memory that now belongs firmly in the past.
A Principled Stand Against Cosmetic Weight Loss
Mr Ojofeitimi believes his journey provides compelling evidence that weight loss injections should not be considered a first resort. 'I didn't go to the doctor for 15 years because I thought no matter what's wrong with me they'd tell me to lose weight,' he reflected. 'These days, they'd give you a prescription. I used to have to order clothes from America online but it's easier to be 30 stone now because you can access bigger clothes, even designer stuff.'
He maintains a principled stance against the cosmetic use of fat jabs. 'I understand why people do it but principally after what I've done, I'm against jabs. It should be worst case but it's become a cosmetic thing where girls who are a size 14 want to be a size eight. They aren't willing to put in the work to naturally lose weight so they'd rather take a jab.'
Mr Ojofeitimi argues that the relationship with food must be addressed fundamentally. 'The easy thing to do is jab yourself but they aren't thinking about everything else like the relationship with food. You want to be healthy as well as skinny. People see body confidence as a size 28 wearing a bikini. Good for her, but that shouldn't be recognised as body positivity. It's unhealthy. A woman who went from a size 28 to 14 through hard work and has excess skin, I respect that.'
From Childhood Struggles to Adult Triumph
The Manchester native has battled with his size throughout his life, though he insists he was never bullied. 'I've got a size XL football shirt from when I was nine and it fits me now,' he revealed. 'People from primary school say I was bigger as a child. I was always a big kid because we had quick, easy, cheap meals. Then I got older and had my own money and freedom so I was eating more and buying alcohol.'
He developed coping mechanisms to navigate social situations. 'I didn't get bullied but there was constant banter. When I was 10 I was six foot and 18 stone so I expected comments. It didn't hold me back, I wasn't a recluse and I was confident. When you stand out that much, you have to play a character and be larger than life. People say I used to be funny but it was a persona to be accepted.'
Dietary Transformation in Detail
The contrast between Mr Ojofeitimi's previous and current eating habits illustrates the scale of his commitment:
Josiah's Diet Before Transformation
- Breakfast: Pint of apple juice, four pieces of toast, cereal, a Penguin bar
- Second Breakfast: Bacon or sausage sandwich, a Ribena, pack of biscuits
- Lunch: Meal deal, chips and sausage roll
- Dinner: Lasagne, shepherd's pie
- Second Dinner: Kebab
- Snacks: Haribos, bar of chocolate, bag of Doritos
Josiah's Diet After Transformation
- Breakfast: Smoked salmon, five eggs, turkey, sourdough toast
- Lunch: Chicken or tuna salad
- Dinner: Chicken breast, sweet potato
- Snacks: Fat free Greek yoghurt with berries, protein bar or protein shake
Today, Mr Ojofeitimi embraces his new life with confidence and purpose. 'With the confidence I have now, I'm willing to leave my job and set up as a coach and trust it'll work, even though I don't have a six pack,' he stated. 'I might have excess skin but I'm fitter than most of my friends.' His journey stands as a powerful testament to what can be achieved through determination, discipline and rejecting quick-fix solutions in favour of sustainable lifestyle changes.
