PICTURE EXCLUSIVE: James Argent is put through his paces on a gruelling assault course as 26 stone TOWIE star gets to work on his fitness after revealing he’s having life-saving gastric surgery
- The former TOWIE star, 33, embarked on his new fitness regime on Wednesday as he engaged in an assault course at Essex based VIP HQ on Wednesday
- Musician James recently admitted doctors have warned him he could die if he doesn’t slim down
- James claimed he’s been unable to complete simple tasks such as tying his own shoe laces since he’s reached 26 stone
- The TV star has faced a much-publicised battle with his weight which has drastically fluctuated since he rose to fame in 2010
- In 2020, James, also known as Arg, entered rehab to kick his drug addiction, and has just marked a year of sobriety
The hard work began on Wednesday as James Argent embarked on a brand new fitness regime in a desperate bid to lose weight.
Doctors have warned the affable TV personality that he could die if he doesn’t take immediate action after his fluctuating weight ballooned to 26 stone during lockdown – leaving him unable to tie his own shoelaces.
Arriving at Essex based VIP HQ, James, 33, was joined by a personal trainer as he worked his way across an outdoor assault course.
No pain no gain: The hard work began on Wednesday as James Argent embarked on a brand new fitness regime in a desperate bid to lose weight
The artist appeared focused as he exercised with a barrel, a weighted ball and other heavy tools alongside his fitness instructor, who was socially distanced and wore a protective face mask.
Opting for comfort, the former Celebs Go Dating star was dressed in a dark tracksuit, which featured a zip-up cardigan and matching joggers by boohooMAN.
The ex-GMB entertainment reporter appeared to work up a sweat as he braved the cold in just his sporty co-ords, which were tied in with a cobalt blue beanie and Nike trainers.
James recently confessed that while he’s now marking a year of sobriety after overcoming his drug addiction, his weight has left him too embarrassed to leave the house and he spends hours alone comfort eating.
Working hard: Arriving at Essex based VIP HQ, the former TOWIE star, 33, was joined by a personal trainer as he worked his way across an outdoor assault course
Trying his best: The media personality appeared focused as he exercised with a barrel alongside his fitness instructor, who was socially distanced and wore a protective face mask
Opting for comfort: The former Celebs Go Dating star was dressed in a dark tracksuit, which featured a zip-up cardigan and matching joggers
In the zone: The TV star appeared pensive as he pushed a metal device across the field
Transformed: In 2015, James was the slimmest he’d ever been after losing four stone, but has since seen his weight creep back up (left in 2015 and right in 2020)
He told The Sun: ‘I don’t want to die. An op is the only way I can lose weight. I see pictures of myself and it’s too upsetting. The other day I had to ask my manager to put my shoes on for me because I just couldn’t do it — my belly is too big. I can’t do up my own shoe laces.
‘I don’t want to die, it’s as simple as that. I’ve been told by doctors that I am morbidly obese and need to lose weight, but I have an eating disorder, so I can’t do it.’
James said he’s now agonising over which form of stomach surgery to have with both operations costing around £10,000 each.
On a mission: In a bid to tone his upper body, the social media star practised various sets of push-ups
Candid: James recently confessed that while he’s now marking a year of sobriety after overcoming his drug addiction, his weight has left him too embarrassed to leave the house and he spends hours alone comfort eating
Work in progress: The former Jump contestant ensured he built up his stamina during training
Making an effort: The intensity of Arg’s workout was increased by the use of heavy objects
Speeding through: The writer grazed the grass as he raced under a massive hurdle
Determined: James appeared pleased with himself as he flashed a beaming smile in between his course
He’s deciding between a gastric bypass, which sees part of the stomach stapled to make it smaller, and sleeve gastrectomy, which is a more permanent procedure which sees a large section of the stomach removed.
Both operations will dramatically reduced the amount of food James can eat, meaning he will lose weight, and the star said he’s due to decide in the coming weeks which procedure he’ll have.
The media personality has faced a much-publicised battle with his weight, which has drastically fluctuated since he rose to fame in 2010.
Honest journey: The influencer has faced a much-publicised battle with his weight, which has drastically fluctuated since he rose to fame in 2010
Hard times: James has confessed he’s now too ashamed to leave his home during the day, and waits until it’s dark to go out in the hope he won’t be recognised
Facing his reality: The Essex native said that even his close friend Mark Wright has been moved to tears with concern about his size, and finally convinced him to face it by stepping on the scales
Achievements: The Aladdin star was congratulated by his trainer after completing a series of reps
Challenges: The reality star blamed his weight gain on the COVID-19 pandemic, which caused the closure of gyms and swimming pools
In 2015, the musician was the slimmest he’d ever been, after transforming his physique by losing a whopping four stone.
But since then, James’ weight has crept back up, and he confessed he’s now too ashamed to leave his home during the day, and waits until it’s dark to go out in the hope he won’t be recognised.
The Essex native said that even his close friend Mark Wright has been moved to tears with concern about his size, and finally convinced him to face it by stepping on the scales.
James admitted they were stunned to see he weighed nearly 27 stone, and warned him he needed to take his size seriously as it was having a serious effect on his health.
Up and down: His weight gain came after he revealed he had made some progress with his weight loss by losing five stone in October 2020
Bettering himself: Last year, James entered a rehab facility in Thailand to kick his drug addiction, and the star detailed how he used to hide his habit in his £1.3 million Essex home
Background: He hit rock bottom when his family desperately attempted to get into his house after a three-day drug binge, with his addiction ending his relationships with Gemma Collins and Lydia Bright, as well as stalling his TV career
Overcoming his obstacles: Despite his hardships, the Diva Forever star is celebrating a year free of drugs and alcohol, and is now planning to document his weight loss journey with a TV show
Making steps: The belter said he’s come to terms with the fact that he can never drink alcohol again and will have to substantially limit his food intake following the weight loss surgery
Getting down and dirty: James was covered in mud as he put his all into his new journey
Ouch! He pulled an animated face as he lifted a ball
The reality star blamed his weight gain on the COVID-19 pandemic, which caused the closure of gyms and swimming pools.
His weight gain came after he revealed he had made some progress with his weight loss by losing five stone in October 2020.
Last year, James entered a rehab facility in Thailand to kick his drug addiction, and the star detailed how he used to hide his habit in his £1.3 million Essex home.
He then hit rock bottom when his family desperately attempted to get into his house after a three-day drug binge, with his addiction ending his relationships with Gemma Collins and Lydia Bright, as well as stalling his TV career.
Tired: The Cinderella star appeared worn out as he engaged in an active rest by walking during his breaks
Busy bee: The businessman proved there’s no stopping him as he continued to work out over a lengthy period of time
GASTRIC SURGERY – WHAT IS IT?
Gastric Bypass
A laparoscopic gastric bypass involves creating a small pouch in the stomach that restricts food intake and reduces nutrient absorption.
The pouch also limits food from coming into contact with the upper or lower intestine, further preventing absorption.
The operation involves five-to-six incisions in the abdomen.
Surgeons then staple the top portion of the stomach to separate it from the bottom, creating a pouch.
A small section of the small intestine is then attached to the pouch, allowing food to bypass to the lower stomach.
Sleeve Gastrectomy
Sleeve gastrectomy staples off a portion of the stomach and removes the excess – effectively turning it from a pouch into a sleeve.
As no part of the stomach is bypassed, nutrients are absorbed in the usual way.
However, the restrictions on the amount of food patients are able to eat means patients will still need to take supplements.
The results are excellent, achieving up to 70 percent excess weight loss, just shy of the standard set by the gastric bypass.
As well as weight loss, sleeve gastrectomy has also been proven to bring about remission of diabetes.
Despite this, James said he’s now celebrating a year of sobriety free of drugs and alcohol, and is now planning to document his weight loss journey with a TV show.
The belter said he’s come to terms with the fact that he can never drink alcohol again and will have to substantially limit his food intake following the weight loss surgery.
Arg and fellow TOWIE star Gemma, 39, ended their relationship last July after she revealed a string of abusive messages, purportedly sent to her by the TV personality prior to their split.
It’s understood he had made derogatory remarks about her weight after she suggested that he had bought another woman dinner.
Positive vibes only: Arg was a good sport as he smiled throughout his outing
Out and about: James ran across the large park in black trainers by Nike, which were covered in dirt
No complaints here! The Waltham Forest-born star winced as he rounded off his set with a bang
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