FROM 320KG TO 92KG ... all for his bride

ONCE upon a time, Correctional Services official Rudi Workel could easily eat nine plates of buffalo wings at a time, washed down with a 2l Coke.

His bedtime snack often consisted of two large pizzas, a Streetwise and a mega burger, again washed down with Coke.

But today things are a lot different – Workel, 42, lost 228kg in two years for his wedding. He once weighed 320kg, but the day he stood before the altar, at the side of his new wife Bettie, he weighed a mere 92kg.

This was in 2019 and while he gained a few kilograms for health reasons, he now weighs 138kg.

Workel swopped the 10XL shirt which he once wore and which now fits like a sheet around both him and his wife, for a modest 2XL shirt.

Workel said he wanted to lose weight for his health and to be mobile.

“I no longer wanted to sit on the sideline and watch how others enjoy themselves during adventure sport, while I was physically unable to partake.”

Workel told the Pretoria News that his wedding was a big occasion for him, thus, he decided that his new bride should be proud to have him by her side. He in fact lost so much weight at the time, that his suit was a bit big for him.

“The health scare which I got when I visited the doctor while I was so big, was also a reality check. My doctor told me I will not see 45 if I continue that way.

“Besides wanting to look handsome for my wife, I also want to be able to play with my children when we have them one day. All this made me reconsider my lifestyle.”

The day he left KFC with a bucket of chicken under his arm for lunch and someone yelled at him “save the whale,” was the last straw. There were no magic diets or potions involved – Workel simply followed a sensible eating plan.

“I followed this diligently, without crooking, for 18 months.”

He said it was not an easy road, but one he was happy that he had embarked on.

At first, he could not exercise, as he was too big and it was too painful for his body.

Today, Workel is a true “gym bunny” and he exercises several times a week. Apart from weight training, the treadmill has become a way of life.

Workel said one of his inspirations to lose weight was his desire to simply walk into any shop and to be able to buy clothes.

“Also, I just wanted to weigh myself on a normal scale in my house and not have to resort to an industrial scale.”

Workel also wanted to be able to move into the seat of his car and sit comfortably behind the steering wheel, without having to break the seat.

While he admits that he is a “foodie”, he now eats normal portions.

Luckily he does not have a sweet tooth, he jokes.

His message to others who also want to lose weight is to do so for themselves, and not for others.

“Set some goals for yourself and never give up. Even if you have a relapse, get up and go on.”