In my days as Mr Jelly Belly, I would often perform magic tricks to entertain my audience, some good and ?surprisingly? some not so! Although, I have to say, never in a million years did I imagine I would lose over 45 kilos and subsequently pull off the ultimate disappearing act!

But on a serious note, by losing this weight, I have at last relieved my heart of the massive strain it was under; working overtime every minute of the day just to cope with the most simple of activities.

Twee as it may sound, my spirit has been lifted and I?m constantly amazed at the new opportunities presented to me, most of which I had missed out on simply because of my size. I have a new hunger for life now, as opposed to a burger, and it feels incredible.
I used to wake up feeling more tired than when I went to bed. Now I actually enjoy waking up. I feel energetic and ready for those occasional challenges a Thai day sometimes bestows upon us.

In the past, my first meal of the day was either an overly generous full English breakfast or pretty much a loaf of bread with a slab of artery clogging butter.

Now I enjoy healthy cereals and fruit and have mastered the art of the healthy version of a cooked breakfast - who knew turkey bacon would find itself into my fridge!

Don?t get me wrong, I still enjoy food but I?m so much more aware of what I put into my body now and if I can find a way of adapting my favourite meals to be relatively healthy it?s even more ?aroy mak mak?.

The biggest and most apparent change for me has been exercise. It?s now a part of my every day life and if for some reason I?m unable to work out for a couple of days, I?m chomping at the bit to get back to the gym.

I often set my alarm for 6am and go for a run around my local village; in fact most days I?ll run a minimum of 5km. This was absolutely unthinkable to the old me.

Another fun pastime for me is shopping, something I used to hate with a passion. No longer do I have to go to the ?special? store or the ?elephant size? stalls in Patong?s markets.

In fact, I never knew what ?off the rack? meant until I could actually fit into the clothes from them. I was recently treating myself to a pair of designer jeans (just because I now can) and when the shop assistant told me I should try a 31inch waist I thought she was talking to the chap behind me!

I used to literally cram my belly into 50 inch sizes and even then risked cutting off my circulation.

Without a shadow of a doubt though, the best part of this experience is how it has brought my wife, Jackie, and I so much closer.

Jackie had been having her own weight battles for a long time and I was so fortunate to be able to impart to her all I had learned during my time on The Biggest Loser Asia and also from Khun Joe at RPM Health Club and have so far helped Jackie to lose over 20kgs. Our weekends used to be spent on the sofa in front of the TV doing as little as possible, now we go swimming and to the gym or on bike rides with picnics and finally get to really appreciate Phuket?s beautiful surroundings.

Losing the weight has made me so much stronger both physically and mentally and I?m excited to make the most of everything my new life has to offer. So much so that Jackie and I are embarking on rather a significant challenge and are running in this year?s Laguna Phuket International Half Marathon.

Our friends back in the UK and here in Phuket can?t quite believe it. But hey, there?s a first time for everything and for us this is it... bring it on!!!