A heartbroken gamer living off pizza and energy drinks is unrecognisable after swapping the console for gym and losing six stone
Jean-Michel Bell weighed 18 stone 10 pounds, reaching his heaviest weight in 2021 after years of living off processed food.
But, after suffering a breakup and being left heartbroken, Jean-Michel, 30, decided to transform his life and replace junk food with a healthy diet and exercise.
Describing himself as a “chubby” boy throughout his childhood, Jean-Michel's weight increased after high school as he became less active and focused on his hobby – gaming.
His weight affected his social life as he felt self-conscious, often turning down outings, parties and family gatherings in favour of staying in.
But after his relationship ended in 2021, he knew he needed to make some changes.
“I wouldn't go to pool parties, beaches and anything that required me to potentially expose my insecurities,” Jean-Michel told NeedToKnow.co.uk.
“It really did close doors and end friendships.
“When my relationship ended towards the end of 2021, I recognised my weight.
“My girlfriend at the time found love elsewhere, and nothing quite wakes you up like losing someone you love.
“It really made me see how I’d lost myself over the years due to comfort.
“The weight was the outside evidence of an inside problem.”
The English tutor from Cape Town, South Africa, used to love sitting on his game console, and would eat quick, easy foods such as pizza, oven meals and energy drinks.
He said: “I’d have two-minute noodles in the microwave and I’d order Chinese food on days when I was not really in the mood for pizza.
“I’d have nachos with enough guacamole to feed a small village.
“I drank a ton of full cream milk too.
“As a tutor, most of my foods were processed foods that can be prepared in a microwave as you hardly get any breaks between classes.
“The hardcore gaming added to the lack of activity, coupled with energy drinks and pizza were probably the main contributing calories.
“Sugary treats were a big weakness so most of the day I would have way too much sugar.”
For Jean-Michael, the break-up was a massive turning point.
He said: “It was the hurt I felt – I have not felt hurt like that before.
“I wish my ex well and I have no hate or resentment in my heart – it was more the hurt that I let myself down like that, that I let myself get to that point and that I forgot who I was.”
Jean-Michael promised himself he’d be transformed by the end of the year, dedicating 2022 to improving himself.
He decided to start with intermittent fasting, meaning he would eat for eight hours of the day, and fast for 16.
The 30-year-old said: “During the eight hours of eating I would have mainly vegetables and an average amount of protein, about 80g of protein a day.
“I would have little to no carbohydrates and only drink water, black coffee and green tea .
“My diet has changed a lot since then as after the fat loss I was skinny-fat, meaning I looked skinny in clothes but topless looked very soft.”
He decided to “pack on muscle”, incorporating 180g of protein into his diet and focusing his efforts on training in the gym, as well as having a cheat day once a week to “stay sane”.
In terms of workouts, Jean-Michel focused on fat loss, turning to kickboxing.
He said: “I would do all the kickboxing classes on an empty stomach to maximise fat loss.
“Simple calisthenics workouts at home were done about twice a week.
“Now, because I am focused on gaining lean muscle, I do a variety of workouts in a gym.
“I weighed 12st 1lbs when I lost all of the fat, that was the main priority.
“I am not sure how much muscle I put on but I currently weigh 12st 12lbs-13st 5lbs.
“I feel ecstatic and it’s absolutely life-changing, the confidence and joy I feel is something I never imagined I would feel – especially at age 30.
“It’s a journey and I think it becomes a lifestyle once you see the mental benefits that come with the physical.
“I am far from done, every few months you see your body change and that change is more motivation, I would like to see the full potential my body is capable of.”
Friends and family are extremely supportive of Jean-Michel’s journey, as well as his followers on social media.
Hel said: “People who are overweight are inspired by my transformation and since posting my progress on TikTok and Instagram, so many young men have reached out to me.
“It made me realise how many young men truly need the inspiration and information, not purely about nutrition, but the mental shift required for such a transformation.
“More importantly, I have also received potential career opportunities I would not have been able to receive before.
“This includes modelling and recently acting.”
DIET – BEFORE:
Breakfast: Energy drinks and two minute noodles
Lunch: Oven meals
Dinner: Pizza or Chinese takeaway
Snacks: Nachos and guacamole and full cream milk
DIET – AFTER:
Breakfast: Black coffee, green tea and water
Lunch: Vegetables, eggs and chicken
Dinner: Extra lean ground beef, chicken and vegetables
Snacks: Yoghurt
WORKOUT SCHEDULE
- 30 minute brisk walk five days a week
- Monday - legs
- Tuesday - back and shoulders
- Wednesday - chest
- Thursday - rest, or another leg day
- Friday - arms and shoulders
- Saturday - rest day
- Sunday- rest day
