Back in the dark days of 1998, or perhaps even 1997, a photograph was taken:

This photo has the word "proof" on it. Indeed, proof it is. I was in fact a remarkably shaped Ashley. I do not think I'd believe that shape without proof. Note also the Tyne Bridge, obviously in the photo for scale - I'm pretty large compared to that. Note also the Volvo parked up my arse.

click me

The photo was taken before I took my first tentative steps towards weight loss. This was before the current count, proudly and boringly displayed on this site with regularity. Adding the amount of weight lost between now and then, the aggregate total would go from its current -46 to something like -74. The point? being fat is not big or clever... well, it is big, but it's not clever. I should never have been that large. Now I am putting it right and I feel much better.