Fitter. Happier. More Productive

Last night I caught the tail end of a programme on Channel 4 called My Baggy Body. I'll have to watch 4oD at some point to take in the full show, but in essence it is about people who have lost an awful lot of weight, but subsequently found themselves with excess skin. It is something that I know about only too well. Having ditched 10 stones since the beginning of 2007, I'm very well acquainted with this unwanted side effect of getting healthy.

The bloke on the programme last night was a guy called Gregg. As I only saw the last few minutes I don't know his full background but it was clear that he had undergone cosmetic surgery to alleviate himself of his saggy mid-drift. He seemed happier in himself, though was left with surgical scars around his waist.

It got me thinking about my physique, and whether I'm happy with my appearance post weightloss. I've got bits that aren't particularly flattering, particularly around my chest and tummy. I'm not somebody who goes to the gym to pose in front of mirrors for hours rather than work up a sweat, so vanity isn't really an issue, but I would certainly prefer to look a little different. Whether I'd ever consider surgery is very doubtful. I'm not depressed about my shape and to be honest the scarring would only serve as a reminder of what I was before.

My wife pointed out to me last night that when I've got a shirt on, nobody can tell what is going on underneath. And she is right. My excess skin is not an eyesore. I wear slim fit shirts in the office which shows an air of confidence. When I'm stood upright, I look pretty lean nowadays. Minus the shirt, when I lean over, my chest and stomach fall out of place and it looks like somebody has pinned Tesco carrier bags to my torso.

It is a small price to pay for long term health. Would I rather be 14st with a mildly embarrassing physique, or a 24st man with a 48 inch waist again? No contest really, so the baggyness remains. My modelling career doesn't look like taking off any time soon anyway!

I sympathise with anybody who feels uncomfortable with their body. I didn't undergo weightloss purely for health reasons - I hated how I looked and eventually did something about it. Losing weight will help you physically but it doesn't necessarily follow that you will learn to love your body as a result. For me, I'm in a much better place now than I was in years gone by. The meaning of the song doesn't really tie in, but some of the less bleak lyrics hold true. I am Fitter, Happier, More Productive. If that means carrying around some flappy parts, I can live with that.

Related articles

• My Baggy Body: Sarah Cromwell says she 'ate what she was given' and "assumed it was right"
• Stars of My Baggy Body's reveal reality of life with excess skin

Survival Sunday

When I'm in dieting mode, I really dislike Sundays. The Bible bills it as a day of rest but for me Sunday is a 24 hour test of will and resistance.

Today provided a perfect case on point. I was up half the night with the little one so was fatigued. I had a few aches and pains from Saturday's run to contend with. My boys were both vying for my attention throughout the day and with energy levels dipping into the red, the desire to eat junk was overwhelming.

Day 4 of the 2014 version of my diet and my least disciplined to date. I added a banana to my breakfast, couldn't stay away from the cheese in the fridge throughout the day and happily accepted a couple of chocolate orange segments when offered. That probably doesn't sound like stupid amounts, but it feels like it.

I don't like how my mid drift looks rounder than it did just a few weeks ago. As a  Christmas paunch goes, it is nothing to write home about, but the fact I'm noticing my belly reflects on the fact that my clothes are a little tighter.

A full week of work ahead should make life easier. If I find myself thinking about food it is more difficult to do something about it than when at home on the weekend. I'll also look to get some running time in the evening this week to aid my 1/2 marathon preparations. I'll be disappointed in myself if I don't make it out at least twice.