Ayr Racecourse man trots back to fitness

Aug 15 2008

THERE comes a time in a man’s life when losing weight seems like a good idea.

For some it’s a midlife crisis and for others it’s a life long battle.

But for men like Iain Ferguson, facing the fight against flab is no bout of age-related paranoia.

The PR guru at Ayr Racecourse is a man who, admittedly, loves his job – too much at times.

It led to 70-hour weeks and a soaring waistline, with his weight reaching 19-and-a-half stones at its peak.

Then Iain, better known as Fergie, realised it was time to put on the brakes.

“I woke up one morning with the front of my legs bright red. It put me in a panic,” he admits.

Fergie had contracted a condition called cellulitis – an infection of the skin – which has no link to cellulite.

He explained: “I knew my weight was a problem, and although it didn’t cause me to get cellulitis I had to do something about it.

“My blood pressure is high and the weight I’m carrying is inhibiting my lifestyle.

“I had to make a conscious decision that enough was enough.”

So Fergie has set off on his most ambitious challenge to date – he wants to lose five-and-a-half stones. The 54-year-old insisted: “I know I can do this. I’m targeting next April’s Scottish Grand National to lose the weight.

“I was horrified when I saw a picture of myself stood beside Frankie Dettori last year and realised that I needed to turn my life around. But I know that by staying disciplined I can achieve my goal. I used to run half marathons in the 80s, so I’m not afraid of the work.

“And nothing focuses the mind more than feeling awful through your health, so I’m determined to leave that behind. It’s no longer for me.”

Health Matters will return to check on Fergie’s progress later in the year.