The long walk to fitness for a real winner from TV weight loss show

AARON Howlett likes a challenge.

“I never used to,” he admits. “But now I like to push myself as hard as I can.” That’s why the former bookmaker is planning to set a new world record for walking from Land’s End to John O’Groats and back again for the NSPCC.

A few years ago he could never have even contemplated the feat, which will see him walking up to 53 miles a day to complete the 1,748 mile walk in 56 days. It will mean walking around 12 hours a day with no day off.

“I have done a number of marathons in the last few years but I wanted a bigger challenge. I was inspired by Sir Ian Botham’s book about his walk from one end of the country to the other in 34 days,” says Aaron.

“I am quite competitive now although I never used to be, so I decided to try and beat it. I also wanted to encourage people to join in with me and get fit.”

Just six years ago Aaron was told by doctors he would die by his late 30s if he did not lose weight.

“I managed a bookmakers during the day and then ran a business at night providing door staff for pubs. It meant visiting all the pubs and I’d end up having a pint in each – that could be 16 a night.”

By the age of 29 Aaron had a 62in waist, weighed 27 stone and was morbidly obese. “I ate the wrong things, drank the wrong things and didn’t do any exercise.

“Then one day I took my niece to a play centre and started to feel chest pains. I made her a promise there and then that I would get fit and I never break a promise to her.”

Aaron had tried just about every diet going but when his dad saw an advert for contestants to take part in a new reality television weight loss show he suggested Aaron apply. He did and was accepted on to the first series of hit Living TV show Britain’s Biggest Loser, presented by Vicky Butler Henderson.

“When she gave us the chat before we started I was scared stiff. I thought I wouldn’t last the week.”

But last the week he did, going on to lose 12 stone and win the show.

“People say things are life-changing experiences, but for me it was. It saved my life.”

Aaron puts his success down to his own competitive streak and hard work but also the help and support of fitness coach Mark Bailey.

“Mark was amazing, he was just the type of person I needed, he really coaxed me along. He is now helping me prepare physically and mentally for the Great Walk.”

Since winning the show Aaron hasn’t looked back. He has set up his own gym and fitness business and mentors other people in their struggle to lose weight or get fit. He has mentored on subsequent series of The Biggest Loser and advised on other television shows such as Jeremy Kyle.

“I used to sit and watch these programmes and now I am appearing on them.” His highlight came when he was asked by Sir Steve Redgrave to be an Olympic torchbearer in Beijing for his services to fighting obesity.

“But the most rewarding thing is helping people to achieve their full potential. To help someone run a marathon or achieve their goal whether they are eight or 80. When I see someone turn their life around like I did it’s a good feeling.”

Aaron is currently in training for his mammoth challenge which starts on June 6 and is sponsored by wigster.com, although he is still looking for other sponsors.

He is walking up to 180 miles a week in preparation and although he knows the challenge will be tough on his body, it is the mental part he feels will be even tougher.

“Mark (Bailey) is helping me with that side too and I am relying on the general public and celebrities along the way to help give me the encouragement I need.”

Jeremy Kyle has already pledged his support and may join a leg of the Great Walk.

“I really want people to join in. Even if they just do a mile. Walking is great fun and great exercise.”

In the six years since winning Britain’s Biggest Loser Aaron’s life has changed beyond recognition. He can now play happily with his nieces and nephews and lives a healthy lifestyle although does believe in striking a balance. “I believe in a 80/20 split. If you want to have chips occasionally then that is fine as long as you balance it out.”

• For more information visit www.the-great-walk.com

HOW AARON’S LIFE CHANGED

Aaron Howlett first came to public attention when he won the reality TV show Britain’s Biggest Loser, hosted by Vicki Butler Henderson. He was then chosen by Sir Steve Redgrave, to be an Olympic Torchbearer in Guilin prior to the opening of the Beijing Olympic Games.Since winning series one of Britain’s Biggest Loser, Aaron has made many TV and media appearances.

He is currently working alongside “The Jeremy Kyle Show” as a weight loss mentor offering help. He has completed six marathons (soon to be seven after this year’s London Marathon)