Operation: AT25

The FINAL Update... Can not believe it's been a year!!!

01/08/2025 - 1 Day before Annual Camp!!

Well, this is the final weigh-in... On what started out as a little joke between two instructors over a cheeky battered sausage and chips in Wales... Has turned into a life-changing decision... Let's see the FINAL scores for this challenge...

Thomas: Starting Weight: 147kg (Goal 101kg) NOW: 102.5kg.
(Total loss of 44.5kg)
Owen: Starting Weight: 129kg (Goal: 85kg) NOW: 108.0kg.
(Total loss of 21.0kg)

65.5kg off combined between both of them is a HUGE EFFORT.

Sadly, due to work commitments Owen is no longer on Annual Camp... Which is a huge shame. Thomas is still planning on going, but who knows what is around the corner... If so, I will try to get a picture posted here, from the AT package in one form or another as proof of completion.

A huge thank you to everyone that has donated and offered works of encouragement, the money will be going to a fantastic charity giving valuable experiences to people that certainly deserve it!

Keep your eyes peeled, there may be another challenge in the future in one form or another, but first is Camp and some well earned rest... and Pizza... I miss Pizza!!! 

All the best, and thank you all once again for being a part of this and helping us raise money for TUT... As well as, helping me, and us, change our lives forever...

Thomas & Owen.

UPDATE 18/07/2025 - 2 WEEKS TO GO!!!

Well, Owen (SI Gardner) has decided to go on Holiday... How selfish... Kidding mate, enjoy yourself. Leaving just Thomas to sweat it out in the gym for now... Let's see what's going on below...

Thomas: Starting Weight: 147kg (Goal 101kg) NOW: 105.9kg.
(Total loss of 41.1kg)

With ONLY 2 weeks until the start of Camp... What's it looking like for Thomas?

Thomas: 2.45kg per week needed for 2 weeks to reach his goal.

TIME TO BE UP FRONT AND HONEST... (Thomas / SSI Cleverley)

This challenge has been a huge struggle for me personally, and has tested my resolve in ways I didn't know possible. I am a little down that reaching my goal (despite it not being a "hard target") is looking unachievable before camp now... I am not going to give up on trying and pushing myself...

If someone told me when we were jokingly making this plan last camp, after running away from the watersports package and eating a sneaky Fish & Chips that I would lose 40kg**(+)** and be in the best shape of my ADULT life, I would've laughed and called you a liar...

It's not been easy, and I believe a touch of body dysmorphia is starting to settle in, which I am talking to the right people about, and naturally, I am finding more and more fault with myself as time is going on, but positivity is infectious... Apparently. 

Two of the hardest things includes not knowing what size I'm going to be in clothes tomorrow... And of course, the excess skin is starting to form. (Don't worry, no graphics) I'm trying a few things to combat but it's not great on the mental health... Still, MUCH better than I have been before, and we will keep moving forward!!

Summary:

A HUGE thank you to the people who crack the "invisible man" jokes, and the constant stream of support from everyone, it really is appreciated. We are £25.00 off our £300.00 mark, so if you could share, like or help us reach it, that would be amazing! Thank you all.

3 WEEKS TO GO... (11/07/2025 Update)

It's getting to that time of the year in the ACF where the heat it cranking up, as is the pressure to sort Annual Camp kit, get Cadets prepared for what lays ahead and of course, keep morale as high as possible!! The 30 Degree heat is making things much harder, BUT we move forward...

Thomas: Starting Weight: 147kg (Goal 101kg) NOW: 107.5kg.
(Total loss of 39.5kg)
Owen: Starting Weight: 129kg (Goal: 85kg) NOW: 110.0kg.
(Total loss of 19.0kg)

With ONLY 3 weeks until the start of Camp... What's it looking like for Thomas & Owen?

Thomas: 2.17kg per week needed for 3 weeks to reach his goal.
Owen: 8.4kg per week needed for 3 weeks to reach his goal.

Realistically, it's going to be close for Thomas to hit the goal, which is pushing him forward, but ultimately, understands if he falls short. 

That is not to take away anything from the achievements of both, weight loss is NOT a straight line with a perfect answer, with general life, mental health, personal dilemmas and other dramas kicking off, nobody is a machine that can be programmed for perfection. This has been to raise some money for a wonderful charity and push the lads on... It was never going to be a game or a contest between the two.

Ultimately, both are feeling and looking a lot better, and have raised money (HIT THE GOAL OF £250.00, then £275.00 for TUT, which is amazing!!)

The final goal is £300.00 and won't move again, it would be amazing if we could hit it, so if you could like & share, that would be awesome! We'd love to smash that £300.00 marker!!

Finally, another huge thank you to everyone who has supported in any way, from financially, to words of encouragement, you've been invaluable!!

04th July 2025 Update

After a LONG and HOT Priority Weekend in the Field with the 2* Cadets, (which Thomas & Owen were actually together but neglected to take a picture to commemorate the occasion, bad drills) both have still been plugging away... Let's see what the latest update is...

Thomas: Starting Weight: 147kg (Goal 101kg) NOW: 109.5kg.
(Total loss of 37.5kg)
Owen: Starting Weight: 129kg (Goal: 85kg) NOW: 111.5kg.
(Total loss of 17.5kg)

With ONLY 4 weeks until Annual Camp 2025... How far can they realistically get??

Thomas: 2.13kg per week needed for 4 weeks to reach his goal.
Owen: 6.61kg per week needed for 4 weeks to reach his goal.

We are growing in confidence and are much healthier than we were before, this was always to raise awareness of the UT and we would like to think, regardless of the result we have achieved that!

HOPEFULLY you will see us out on the Water on AC25, which will be updated here.

A huge thank you for the continued donations, and we will continue with weekly updates until we get to Annual Camp! We are close to our goal, so if anyone could like and share, that would be a huge help for this amazing charity! Thank you!