A POLICE officer who scaled the heights of Mount Everest before a sports injury saw the weight pile on is looking to a new and fitter future, after embarking on a special exercise programme with our Magna Vitae team.
Dave Leyland admits that, after returning from his Himalayan adventure and picking up a serious shoulder injury playing football, he could not keep the weight off.
“I was shocked when I stepped on the scales and weighed more than 16-stone,” he confesses.
Dave, currently a Town Enquiry Officer for Lincolnshire Police based at Louth Police Station, has been with the force for 25 years – ever since leaving the armed forces.
A keen adventurer, his dream had always been to climb the world’s highest mountain – and he did just that three years ago, at the age of 62.
“I simply cannot describe to anyone what it felt like, words cannot sum it up,” said Dave, who spent three weeks on the trip – taking the mountain in stages.
Prior to fulfilling his dream Dave’s weight had been a steady 14-stone, as keeping fit was key to his Everest journey. On his return, he did stay fit – until the football injury.
“I did get into cycling and bought myself a bike, however the weight seemed to creep on without me really realising it,” he said.
To tackle the issue, Dave jumped at the chance to embark on the 12-week training and exercise programme, supported by the force and organised by our staff as part of the Community Sports Activation Fund, aimed at getting people active and living a great life across the East Lindsey district.
“They were brilliant and took us through an exercise programme, which I then coupled with a good diet – my weight is back down again now, and I am determined it will stay that way. In fact, my wife Lynette and I are joining Meridian,” adds Dave, who also cycles the 22-mile round trip to work.