Ex-England star Neil Ruddock has shared his dramatic weight loss journey on Wednesday’s edition of BBC Breakfast.
The 56 year old former footballer appeared on the programme to discuss his new book, Toxic: Tackling ‘Razor’ and Finding the Real Me, where he openly talks about overcoming what he describes as the ‘battle of his life to become a different person’. In his book, Neil addresses his struggles with food addiction, self-esteem issues, and his relationship with alcohol.
BBC Breakfast host Jon Kay remarked: “You say in the book you are half the man you used to be, that’s literally the case!” prompting Neil to talk about his weight loss journey from a peak of 28st.
Neil explained: “I got myself to 28st, it all started when you finish football, you’re so disciplined, you train every day and at the end you just can’t wait to retire.
“When I retired, I just ballooned, the weight ballooned, drinking. When you’re a footballer, you’re told everyday where to be, you’ve got to be here this time, you can’t eat that, you can’t drink that, you’ve got to wear this. You’ve always been told what to do and then when you retire, the wheels come off and you just escalate into food, drinking. It just got out of control, I couldn’t control myself.”
Neil also recounted the pivotal moment when a heart specialist warned him he could die within two months if he didn’t make drastic changes. This served as the ‘kick up the backside’ he needed, reports the Express.
He revealed that after having a gastric sleeve fitted, he has now lost nearly 10st. The sports legend shared: “I did Harry’s Hero, a TV show called Harry’s Heroes, with Harry Redknapp with all ex footballers, late 40s, early 50s, it was like mental health and physical health go get yourself checked out because what men do if we’re walking down the street and feel a bit strange, feel a bit dizzy, we won’t go see the doctor in case it’s bad news.
“I was doing Harry’s Heroes, I went a bit dizzy, and I felt sick. Every time I walked 100 yards, I started to feel dizzy, and at the time there was a lot about dementia in football. Heading balls, that was my game, heading balls, so I thought: ‘Oh no, what’s going wrong!’
“So I went to see the specialist and it was my heart. He said the way I was going, the way I was carrying on, he said you could die in two months. So it was a big kick up the backside I needed!” He underwent a procedure on his heart, had a pacemaker fitted, and a gastric sleeve to relieve his heart, remarking: “This is all through drinking and food!”