Labour MP Tom Watson has lost 8 stone in two years: Here's how
![Tom Watson pictured, from left, in 2016, in 2012 and in June 2019. [Photo: Getty]](https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/khmUiqAkQTUu1k83b_8xWg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD02Njk-/https://media-mbst-pub-ue1.s3.amazonaws.com/creatr-uploaded-images/2019-09/2a741f60-d53f-11e9-b766-cecd26d6dd21)
Tom Watson’s weight loss over the past couple of years is nothing short of astounding.
The deputy leader of the Labour Party has shed eight stone through radically changing his lifestyle.
Tipping the scales at 22 stone back in 2017, Watson, 52, now looks unrecognisable from his former self.
READ MORE: 'Spoonfuls of yoghurt' before meals could help you lose weight
Earlier this week, he announced to his 313,000 Twitter followers that he will be releasing a book, ‘Downsizing: How I Lost Eight Stone, Reversed my Diabetes and Regained my Health’.
![Tom Watson pictured with MP Angela Eagle MP and Labour leader, Jeremy Corbyn in June 2016. [Photo: Getty]](https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/eUIvC9_8hoWQXEFco3FiPQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTY0MA--/https://media-mbst-pub-ue1.s3.amazonaws.com/creatr-uploaded-images/2019-09/3a5cd890-d53f-11e9-bedc-a071a7e039e4)
Tom Watson’s weight loss journey
The politician has already spoken at length about his body transformation.
He started by avoiding sugar and starchy carbohydrates.
“I would avoid, slightly more controversially, a lot of starchy carbs. I do have some brown rice and occasionally pasta when I’m out. If I have bread, I have it made with almond flour, he said in an interview last year with The Guardian.
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“I started to feel really, really good quite quickly. My sleep improved after about a week and a half.”
From being an overweight sugar addict to climbing Snowdon, I'm sharing my story in "Downsizing: How I lost 8 stone, reversed my diabetes and regained my health". Thanks to @susannareid100 for the inspirational idea.https://t.co/Il1Z4znhFB
— Tom Watson (@tom_watson) September 10, 2019
Two years ago I turned 50, weighed 22 stone and had type 2 diabetes. By radically changing my nutrition, cutting out sugar, and taking up exercise, I’ve changed my life and reversed my diabetes. I hope my story will inspire others to regain their health and happiness.@Kyle_Books pic.twitter.com/W43PUUUh6Y
— Tom Watson (@tom_watson) September 10, 2019
This diet change allowed him to come off medication for his type-2 diabetes, he revealed.
Watson also become more active in order to help lose the weight.
“I lift weights, struggle at circuit training, cycle wherever I can, and try to take 10,000 steps a day,” he wrote in the New Statesman of his exercise regime.
He also spoke in the publication of motivating himself using “nudge theory”.
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Nudge theory is a concept in behavioural science which uses positive reinforcement in order to influence decision making.
“I’ve motivated myself with some rudimentary “nudge” theory – every time I reach a weight loss goal, I buy a new piece of kit for my bike,” he explained.
For men looking to lose weight, the NHS website has a number of suggestions including sticking to a calorie limit of no more than 1900 calories a day.
You can download the NHS weight loss plan – a 12-week long programme developed in collaboration with the British Dietetic Association – in order to kickstart your slimming journey.
