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Home / Sport

Former winner of World's Strongest Man competition Eddie Hall looks mighty different

By James Matthey of news.com.au
news.com.au·
31 Oct, 2018 01:26 AM9 mins to read

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That's quite the before and after shot. Photo / Instagram

That's quite the before and after shot. Photo / Instagram

Here's a before and after shot you can build an advertising campaign around.

Eddie Hall reached the pinnacle of his sport in 2017 when he won the World's Strongest Man crown — to go along with several strongman titles he'd claimed previously across the UK. But fans might not recognise him anymore as the bulging belly has been replaced with a six pack in recent times.

Last week the 30-year-old — who at his heaviest tipped the scales at a whopping 196kg — uploaded a side-by-side shot comparing his old self to the new and improved version — and the difference is startling.

Not only has The Beast, as he's been nicknamed, visited the tattoo parlour a few more times since his "before" shot was captured, he's also been shedding plenty of kilos. He's reportedly dropped more than 30kg, going from 195kg to 164kg this year.

As Hall showed off his new physique, he revealed some advice for those wanting to know how he successfully transformed himself.

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"Breakfast is the most important meal of the day; this is where most people will make their first BIG mistake if they're trying to lose weight," Hall wrote on Instagram next to a photo of him sitting in the sun with a glass of orange juice in front of him.

"Coffee … The caffeine in your morning coffee stops an enzyme called amylase from working correctly, which is located in your mouth and gut, and breaks down starchy carbs.

"If you have coffee with your cereal, toast or granola, this is the worst way to start your day.

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"Try some citric acid instead, which can actually increase the production of amylase … a glass of orange juice instead is the perfect replacement."

He's no scientist, so don't take this as gospel, but whatever Hall is doing is obviously working.

View this post on Instagram

196kg vs 164kg 2017 Vs 2018 Lots of people asking for comparison photos from my biggest to now, well here it is.... #transformation #backupyourbull #sinkorswim #beast Big Love The Beast

A post shared by Eddie hall - The Beast (@eddiehallwsm) on Oct 24, 2018 at 11:04am PDT

View this post on Instagram

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day; this is where most people will make their first BIG mistake if they’re trying to lose weight. . Coffee.... The caffeine in your morning coffee stops an enzyme called amylase from working correctly, which is located in your mouth and gut, and breaks down starchy carbs. . If you have coffee with your cereal, toast or granola, this is the worst way to start your day. . Try some citric acid instead, which can actually increase the production of amylase... a glass of orange juice instead 🍊 is the perfect replacement. . Find out other interesting facts from @muhdo_health and also check out their DNA test to see what you can be tested for’ to further improve your health or sporting career/hobby. #muhdo #dna #weightloss #transformation #beast #sinkorswim #backupyourbullshit Big Love The Beast

A post shared by Eddie hall - The Beast (@eddiehallwsm) on Oct 24, 2018 at 11:34pm PDT

According to The Daily Star, part of Hall's weight loss regime includes doing five cardio sessions a week in addition to multiple weight-training sessions. In 2017 he appeared on UK TV and said: "Cardio training for big guys is unique, you have to adapt it so that you don't lose muscle and you don't tire out.

"Using methods to not only improve your cardiovascular system but also help your body to recover after weight sessions by shifting lactic acid, helping the tendons, ligaments and muscles to repair."

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The retired star also used social media to explain why he no longer competes in strongman competitions.

"For the people that keep asking why I don't compete at the World's Strongest Man anymore, simple: I choose to live a healthier life now and enjoy the fruits of my labour," he said.

"I felt as though the sun was beginning to set on my life and I needed to start swimming back from dark waters to start to see sunlight again."

View this post on Instagram

A lion roars the loudest when he’s the hungriest........ A great tip when setting goals in life is to be verbal, tell your friends, tell your mum and dad, tell your wives, tell your colleagues, tell the whole fucking world what you’re gonna do.... This creates an environment for success, it puts you in a situation where if you don’t achieve what you said you were gonna do, then.... your gonna look a like bit of a cock. And no/one wants that! The worlds strongest man was a goal I never gave up on and I was very vocal about getting that title before I won it. I told everyone from age 19 I was gonna win that title, I shouted it from the rooftops and put it all over social media and anyone that listened I would tell them my plan to be the strongest mother fucker that had ever walked the planet. Today, ladies and gentlemen, this is what’ I would call.... #backingupyourbullshit 🙏 Big Love The Beast

A post shared by Eddie hall - The Beast (@eddiehallwsm) on Oct 17, 2018 at 6:32am PDT

View this post on Instagram

Today i weighed 164kg / 26 stone / 361lbs Meaning iv lost 32kg / 5 stone / 70 lbs since I won the worlds strongest man 2017. Working my bollox off to succeed on another mission. By next goal is another huge one and I’m attacking it like I did with strongman il let you all know soon enough what it is. My main help has been a product called oblivion by @myoband.teamsnf it is genuinely helping me lose fat and pack on muscle.... It keeps selling out of stock though so be quick!!!! #oblivion #transformation #sinkorswim #backupyourbullshit #beast Big Love The Beast

A post shared by Eddie hall - The Beast (@eddiehallwsm) on Oct 12, 2018 at 9:29am PDT

Last year Hall became the first Englishman to win the World's Strongest Man competition in 24 years. He came out on top in the squat lift, Viking press and deadlift rounds on his way to winning the finals ahead of Iceland's Hafthor Julius Bjornsson, aka The Mountain from hit TV show Game of Thrones, who finished second.

At the time, Hall's diet included eating raw steaks and consuming 12,000 calories a day.

He revealed to The Sun before the event how maintaining his massive weight put a huge strain on his body and meant he could not fit into cars or chairs.

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"I'm chasing a dream. I just want to win World's Strongest Man once," he said. "But I've got to be level-headed and think not only about myself but my family, my kids.

"I don't want them growing up without a dad. I just want to win the worlds, do what I'm destined to do then drop to around 25 stone. That will be a nice safe level for me.

"I can't go into restaurants without breaking a chair. Fitting through single doorways, I have to turn sideways.

"Getting in and out of a car is impossible as the seats don't go back far enough.

"I'm not the tallest man but because of my muscle thickness my head always touches the roof."

View this post on Instagram

Well here I go... A great start by flying out business class thanks to Protein Dynamix for that one. Can't thank protein Dynamix enough for there continued support and giving me everything I need from supplements to any request Iv thrown at them. Worlds strongest man 2016 is about to get underway and I'm arriving in perfect Beast form weighing in at 29 1/2 stone or 410lbs and honestly feeling the strongest and fittest Iv ever been and most importantly wiser. Other competitions have been quiet on their journey up to this point, but I'm happy to share my journey all year long, because silence can sometimes mean your secretly scared. I don't want to give that impression... I'm not scared... I'm coming for a gold trophy and that's it. #500happened #WSMwillhappen Big Love The Beast Www.proteindynamix.com ^Use code THEBEAST for 25% off^ @proteindynamix @xploape @strengthasylum @giantspro @alphadesignsuk @bobosbeard @aseaglobal @wrightspies #xplosiveape #alphadesign #wrightspies #strengthasylum #giantspro #PoweredByASEA #ASEA #proteindynamix #bobosbeardoil #beast #beard #deadlift #deadlifts #boss #bosslife #hulk #strong #strongman #strongmantraining

A post shared by Eddie hall - The Beast (@eddiehallwsm) on Aug 9, 2016 at 9:56am PDT

View this post on Instagram

190kg Axle Press for a single just working on techniques as the power isn't the problem. What you reckon is there 220kg? 230kg? Www.proteindynamix.com ^Use code THEBEAST for 20% off^ Gum shield from:- Www.getnewage.com Big Love The Beast @proteindynamix @xploape @strengthasylum @giantspro @alphadesignsuk @bobosbeard @wrightspies @pulseworldwide @getnewage @sbdapparel @giantslive #alphadesign #wrightspies #strengthasylum #giants #giantslive #proteindynamix #bobosbeardoil #beast #beard #deadlift #deadlifts #boss #bosslife #hulk #strong #strongman #strongmantraining #pulse #getnewage #performance #mouthguard #SBD #supports #SBDapparel

A post shared by Eddie hall - The Beast (@eddiehallwsm) on Mar 4, 2017 at 6:07am PST

When he was at his heaviest, Hall said his weight gain had brought on sleep apnoea and the only way to deal with it was to sleep wearing an oxygen mask.

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"To put it blankly, if I stayed like this for another ten years I'd die. Being this size and this weight is a dark place," he said last year. "All the organs are under pressure.

"I am two big guys, two 98kg people in one unit. It's almost impossible. Sleep is horrendous as there is so much muscle mass on my lungs and throat."

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