A man transformed his body and lost more than five stone on a diet of eggs - and says he feels 10 years younger after eating 2,000 eggs over the last two years. Ross Macfarlane, 34, tipped the scales at 18st 12lbs and struggled to fit into size 40-inch jeans when he realised he needs to make a lifestyle change. The IT manager had tried 'crash diets' before - but had never been able to shift the weight.
During the pandemic in August 2021, Ross noticed he had a resting heart rate of 100bpm as well as high cholesterol and blood pressure. When covid restrictions were lifted, he tried to put on size 40-inch jeans and couldn't do them up - realising he needed to change. Ross completely overhauled his diet and exercise regime - eating higher protein foods and exercising regularly.
He ditched high-processed foods and takeaways - having eaten 2,000 eggs over the last two years. In 12 months, Ross dropped 5st 2lbs. He now weighs a healthier 13st 10lbs and can slip into a size 32-inch waste with ease - putting his transformation down to his 'egg diet'. Ross said: "It has been a learning experience, with a diet the big thing is not thinking of it as a diet but a lifestyle change.
"I feel much more confident in myself, I now wear 32-inch jeans, I sleep better, my heart rate is down to 60bpm and my blood and cholesterol levels are normal. I feel good, shifting this weight was the best thing I have ever done. I start my day between three and six eggs a day which averages out to around 2000 over the past two years."
After the pandemic restrictions were lifted and everyone went back to work, Ross felt unhealthiest he had ever been. He weighed 18st 12lbs and, after not being able to fit into his 40-inch jeans, he decided to change his diet. Ross said: "I was a normal guy. I have an office job, I had been commuting to work every day, I had business travel and a social life with my friends.
"It was years of food abuse which led to me to be the weight I was - eating out a lot, socialising, drinking with friends - it was a low time for me. My relationship with food is what I would say normal people's relationships are.
"I would go on a crash diet but end up putting it all back on - I was still fat no matter what I did."
Fed up with his weight, Ross decided he needed a change of lifestyle not just a change in diet. He started cutting out the takeaways, instead eating high-protein meals and ditching carbs - which saw him lose 22lbs in two months.
Finally able to fit into his size 32 jeans, Ross started to feel better about himself. He said: "I decided to maintain the weight and I kept piling it off, it took a year, and I was below 14 stones and 2 lb.
"I have maintained it for two years, and the lifestyle changes I have made have worked. I feel much more confident in myself, I now wear 32-inch waist jeans - I sleep better, my heart rate is 60 bpm, and my blood and cholesterol levels are normal.
"I feel good, it is the best thing I have ever done - I look 10 years younger."
Ross credits his weight loss to a high protein diet and starting the day eating between three and six fried eggs. He said: "People are asking me about the diets I follow.
"I keep it really simple. Every morning I start my day with between three and six eggs - they are very filling, high in protein, and low in calories.
"It has been life-changing for me, it is never too late to make a change, I am in my mid-thirties and feel the youngest, healthiest I have ever felt. Anyone can make a change and reap the rewards."
To maintain his healthy lifestyle Ross plans his meals in advance so he isn't tempted by a takeaway when he gets home late from work. He said: "When you have a busy life it is just one less thing to worry about.
"When you come home from work after a day of commuting, it is easy to grab a takeaway. My journey has been a learning experience, with every diet the big thing is not thinking of it as a diet but a lifestyle change."
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Diet before -
Breakfast - Large vanilla latte, muffin or flapjack
Lunch - Meal deal - a sandwich, crisps, drink and chocolate bar
Dinner - Takeaway, like pizza, Chinese, Indian
Snacks - Chocolate bars and crisps
Drinks - Sugary lattes, beer or two before bed
Diet after -
Breakfast - Three or six fried eggs and an espresso
Lunch - Chicken salad or chicken wrap
Dinner - Steak and veg or rice and chicken
Snacks - Protein bar
Drinks - Coke zero, espresso, water
Ross' top diet hacks -
- A filling high protein breakfast - three to six eggs boiled or fried
- Using 50 per cent reduced fat cheese,
- Opting for reduced sugar ketchup and condiments
- Going for skimmed milk
- Using one calorie cooking spray
- Diet drinks
- Low-fat meats, minces sausages
- Eat way more vegetables as they're filling and energy boosting
