Cured of Sleep Apnoea through Weight Loss

Stan Levy – My Story

Stan has been on his exercise journey since 2011. Stan wanted to improve his fitness and lose weight. Read on to find out his amazing journey so far.

Starting Weight 37 stone Current Weight 20 stone 6lb Weight Loss 16 stone 8lb

Why I made the decision to make the change

Every day life was hard, I suffered with sleep apnoea for 15 years which meant that I stopped breathing in my sleep 14 times an hour, and had to wear a mask that kept my airways from collapsing whilst I slept.

I had no energy, even going up the stairs was hard I was out of breath. I couldn't play with my children in the park I had to sit and watch them because I was breathless all the time and my joints ached so much i couldn't walk very far without being in pain.

I am also asthmatic and used to suffer really bad with chest infections every month and had to take a lot of antibiotics and steroids.

Additionally, I suffered with dangerously high blood pressure and took 5 different types of medication every day to lower it.

How I got started

I started exercising in June 2011. I went cycling and completed 5 miles. It took me 55 minutes to complete and when I got back, my legs were like jelly, I was soaked in sweat and I could hardly breathe.

When I recovered the feeling was great, I weighed 36 stone and had just completed 5 miles which was a great achievement. I slowly progressed to 6 miles, then 10 miles and so on.

I decided to become a member at the Dolphin Centre gym in October 2011 and have never looked back.

My weight when joining was 31 stone 4lb.

Support all the way

I couldn't have got to where I am today without the help and advice provided by the gym team. I work closely with Stephen who has had a massive influence on how I train and eat.

He has always believed in me and made me believe in myself that anything is achievable if you put your mind to it.

Every six weeks he gives me a new routine and he knows I want to be pushed to the limits. I ask him to make them harder and he never fails to surprise me. I have done things with my body in training that I thought only athletes and slim people could achieve.

How my life has changed

My friends and family are over the moon with my achievements so far. The kids have a new dad that they can play football with in the park and go swimming with. I take them on bike rides – sometimes they struggle to keep up with me. Even my youngest daughter who is 2 years old loves to ride in the baby seat on the back of my bike.

Life couldn't get much better. If I am not out on my bike then I am at the gym or out playing with the kids in the park, at the soft play or taking them swimming. I'm always encouraging them to be active.

How my life has changed

As well as regularly attending the gym, I am doing 38 mile rides and cycling up to 260 miles a month. The first 5 mile ride that I completed took 55 minutes whereas now I am done in just 20 minutes.

My asthma is under control and I rarely have to take medication for it now. I have also reduced my blood pressure medication from 3 down to 1 so my health has improved massively. I also no longer have sleep apnoea and in general I feel great.

My advice

Some people say to me “I haven't got the energy for exercise” or “I am not fit enough” or “I am too big”.

My advice for anyone feeling this way is that this is exactly how I used to think and feel but there is no limits to what you can achieve if you put your mind to it. Just take small steps at a time and don't over do it. Even just simple things like a short walk of 10 min to start with is great and something that you can slowly build on.

Always consult with your G.P. before exercising.