Neil Ruddock lost control of his eating during the corona lockdown.
Neil Ruddock pictured in May 2020. PDO
Played at the English football league level in the 80s and 90s Neil Ruddock opens up about his weight problem, which got completely out of hand after the corona pandemic hit society in 2020.
The former top soccer player says in an interview with Daily Mail that he lost control over eating and drinking. The food delivery services were in heavy use, and Ruddock did not consume the accumulated kilocalories but lay on the couch at home.
– I just sat at home. I grew bigger and bigger. I became lazy, the former Liverpool defender recalls.
For Ruddock, eating became a way to pass the time. Ordering ice cream to the door and other decisions made when hungry increased the former top athlete’s weight to 170 kilos.
As expected, the accumulated weight had adverse effects that made the football player think about his situation more seriously.
– I was afraid for my life. Some reading this may say I cheated death. Now I’ll tell you the truth: I did indeed cheat death. If I had continued my ways, who knows what would have happened.
Exercising alone didn’t seem like the only solution. Inspired by a friend, she underwent bariatric surgery.
In the fall of 2022, Ruddock’s stomach was reduced in size. It made getting full faster.
Neil Ruddock played for Liverpool between 1993 and 1998. PDO
After the surgery, Ruddock lost 42 kilos. He feels that his life is back on track and that he feels well again.
Ruddock has not completely given up unhealthy food portions, but has managed to keep their sizes small. However, the ex-futari, who consumed a lot of alcohol, has left beers and ciders aside and drank wine instead.
In his football career, in addition to Liverpool, Ruddock represented, among others, Tottenham, Southampton, Millwall, West Ham and Crystal Palace.
The Brit tells about his experiences on Instagram as well.
– I have lost 42 kilos. I would never have been able to do it with diet and exercise alone, Ruddock writes.
– This is a new beginning for me. I am really excited about the new phase of my life.