00:00I might not have picked the best weather for an outdoor gym, but UK Obesity Awareness Week
00:05from the 10th to the 16th of January shines a light on the challenges faced by people
00:09across the country, particularly in the North East where Public Health England reports that
00:13nearly 64% of adults are overweight or obese. That's higher than the national average.
00:19Campaigns like this encourage practical steps towards better health, such as improving diet,
00:23increasing daily activity and seeking professional guidance where needed.
00:28For comedian Anthony Young, the stage has always been about laughter, but off stage he's been on a very different journey.
00:34My weight loss journey has always been a struggle. I've been fat since I was about 13 years old.
00:39There was a McDonald's opened up within a five minute walk in my house and my obesity just kept growing.
00:45And I've fought it throughout the years. I've tried Slimming World, I've tried Weight Watchers,
00:49I've tried the meal replacement ones, Slim Fast. I've literally tried everything and I've always just been obese.
00:56And then the miracle drug came out into the world the other year. I heard about that.
01:02And I was doing the 10th year and somebody came in and took a photo and my goodness, I looked uncomfortable in my own skin.
01:09So, I just started getting fit. I started off originally on the injections and just cutting down my eating,
01:15but I didn't just want to do that and cheat.
01:17So, in about March this year, last year, I started going to the gym and I started off doing Couch to 5K
01:23and I looked forward to them minute walks.
01:26Anthony, who's performed across the North East for years, decided to tackle his weight and make a lasting change.
01:33Using a combination of weight loss injections alongside consistent gym sessions, running and healthier eating,
01:40Anthony has steadily reshaped both his body and his daily routines.
01:44Speaking about the experience, he emphasises that the injections were only part of the solution.
01:50Regular activity and mindful eating were just as crucial in achieving sustainable results.
01:55I think people who aren't a beast never quite understand it.
01:59So, a lot of skinny people say to me, oh, you've cheated to get that far, you've cheated.
02:04Nobody told us I was cheating when I was 20 stone and I was eating five takeaways a week.
02:10The North East is a big region and I think the council has got to take some responsibility.
02:16There's nowhere for the kids to play because they close the parks at certain times.
02:19So, the kids are just sitting in the house, playing computer games, eating the food,
02:22and then that starts from a young age and that's what's building up the obesity.
02:26Obviously, I can't say go on the injections because the prices have gone like £300 a month type of thing.
02:32Just get yourself out there, you don't have to go to the big gyms and just because one thing doesn't work,
02:36doesn't mean another thing won't work until you find the right motivation to keep going and get rid of that obese self.
02:43Anthony hopes that by sharing his story, he can show that change is possible and that it doesn't have to be overwhelming.
02:49He points out that small, consistent steps from attending the gym to joining a local running group
02:54or adjusting daily meals can make a significant difference over time.
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