'I was risking my flying career at 18st then I found a way to ditch 74lbs'
A 41-year-old pilot who had to quit flying during lockdown started to pile on the pounds and found himself requesting bigger and bigger uniforms when he returned to the air and hit 18stone - risking his career. Chris Cowley, 41, an airline pilot from Manchester, says obesity had been a constant problem, partly thanks to airport food.He would often grab unhealthy food in the airport as he was working, leading to his weight creeping up. “I was brought up on quite a healthy diet, and my parents would always encourage me to eat as healthily as possible,” Chris said. “However, when it came to me making my own decisions, I soon saw the weight increase. I would often eat fast and convenient food.“At work, I would eat whatever was available on the plane, or pick some fast food up when walking through the terminal building. I wouldn’t really track the calories and wasn’t too concerned of the health impact of what I was eating. I have never been a massive drinker, but my drink of choice was beer which gave me a distinct ‘beer belly’.
