An 18-year-old from Blyth who was bullied at college because of his weight has lost an incredible 17 stone. Kaden Pleban was told it was his own fault that his overalls did not fit when he started a welding course at the age of 16.
Turning Point
"It hit my heart because I was going through a rough time," said Kaden, who was a size 3XL at the time. "But then it was like a switch had flicked and I wanted to prove them wrong and show them that I could do it."
Kaden, now 18, said he was "quite a heavy baby" and had always been a larger child. However, as he began socialising more with friends as a young teenager, he started gaining more weight.
"I mainly started gaining when I was about 14. That's when I used to go out all the time with my friends and I just was in that mindset where you don't really care, because you're a teenager. Two years later it hit me and I wanted to change," said Kaden, from Blyth.
"I just felt down all the time. I had anxiety over certain clothes I wore and going out. I had to wear baggy clothes and was always body conscious about it. I didn't know if anyone was going to say anything when I went out or not. I was always conscious of myself."
Weight Loss Journey
In March 2024, Kaden started exercising more and made sure to reach 10,000 steps a day. He now goes to the gym at least three times a week and has also taken up running. Although he began his weight loss journey in a calorie deficit, he has made little change to his diet other than reducing portion sizes. He still enjoys a "cheat day" on Saturdays.
Kaden, who left his college course and now works in a care home for people with dementia, has swapped his 3XL clothes for a size S or XS, having slimmed from approximately 28 stone to 11 stone 4 pounds. The college overalls would be "falling down" if he had to wear them now.
New Confidence
Kaden said: "I could walk down the street and people don't recognise me. I walked past my uncle the other day and he walked straight past me."
He added: "Honestly, it's just so relieving [to have lost weight]; it's a massive weight off my shoulders. I feel so much more confident and I feel like I can wear what I want. Overall, I feel amazing. I never thought I'd become this far."
Inspiring Others
Kaden hopes that his story will inspire other young people who find themselves in a similar situation and want to make a change.
"This is probably my tenth time trying to lose weight. There were times I thought, 'I don't think I can do this,'" said Kaden. "I know some people struggle a lot, and I just wanted to get out there that anything's possible when you put your mind to it."
