Football fan told he 'wouldn't make 30' in wake-up call

John Macdonald, a football fan, faced a stark health warning when a doctor warned he might not reach his 30th birthday. At almost 28 stone, he wrestled with prediabetes and sleep apnea, prompting a turning point after joining Slimming World in Easterhouse, Glasgow, in 2023. A hospital scare during his first weigh-in—collapse and ambulance ride to A&E—highlighted the urgency to change as he began losing weight. Since that moment, he shed 16 stone 12 pounds (107 kg) and now weighs 10 stone 13 pounds, shrinking his waist from 52 inches to 31. He credits Slimming World's support, structure and shared expertise for guiding his progress, learning to plan meals and cook new recipes like Cajun chicken pasta, and swapping sugary drinks for low-calorie alternatives. His former reliance on takeaway meals—spending about £30 most nights for four—has given way to vegetables and a more deliberate approach to nutrition. The journey built confidence, and he now enjoys cooking at home, drawing motivation from his family and continuous personal improvements.