The Award Winning GKT

On Friday I attended my industry awards event, called the National Undergraduate Employability Awards. I was a finalist in the category for Outstanding Contribution to Work Experience, and having missed out in the previous two years it was a question of third time lucky. I picked up my award from Sahar Hashemi, co founder of Coffee Republic, and was also presented with a personalised bib for my little boy which reads 'When I Grow Up I Want To Do A Placement'. Having experienced more than a few setbacks in my career in recent years, it feels fantastic to receive some recognition.

#NUEAwards Outstanding Contribution to Work Experience goes to ...Graham Kaye- Taylor at Brunel Highly Commended to Tim Ward at Salford Uni
— ASET (@ASETOnline) March 7, 2014

Now, given that this is a dieting and weightloss blog, I'll skip further talk about the work side of Friday. I've got another blog for that should anybody be so inclined. Instead I want to talk about the suit. Back in January, I bought myself a new suit specifically with the Awards in mind. Having slimmed down last year I knew that my existing ones would be a little on the large side and so I invested during the sales.

I opted for a skinny fit mid grey suit, and I'd be lying if I said I was totally confident about wearing it. Having spent so many years plumping for an additional X on the label of my clothes to provide more give, the concept of figure hugging attire is a little alien to me. I've come to accept I can get away with slim fit shirts, but this was taking things to another level.

I'm still haunted by an experience of my suit trousers splitting down the bum on my way to present at a conference years ago. I had that in my mind for most of my journey into London, causing me to stand on the train and tube when seats were available. There were feelings of dread as I approached the venue in case something similar happened again. The trousers were predictably tight given their design, and I was highly conscious that one wrong movement could result in embarrassment. My calf muscles in particular felt restricted, having grown in recent months through running.

I needn't have worried in the end. The suit held firm and without wishing to sound hugely egotistical, I looked fantastic. Through the afternoon I had people showering me in compliments, many of whom would not have been aware about this blog but have met me at previous awards or in the line of work and could see the difference. The picture below shows the moment where I'm collecting my award. By way of comparison, the picture underneath is from the 2012 awards

Winner 2014 - complete with bib

Highly Commended 2012 - T-Shirt & Champers

Just for good measure to illustrate how far I've come, here is a picture taken at a wedding reception back in 2004.

Wearing my sumo fat suit

I'm not sure I'll ever fully believe that I'm slim. However, taking the occasional stroll down memory lane by looking at photos in my early to mid 20s serve up a very graphic representation of what I'm not. I'm no longer the guy who struggles to find clothes that fit, who breaks toilet seats or splits their trousers. Winning an award feels good. Winning an award whilst looking great feels even better.