A 60-year-old grandfather from Leeds, in the UK, has become an inspiration for people less than half his age after going from ‘dad bod’ to ‘ripped’ in just one year.

Looking at Steve Ramsden today, it’s hard to believe that only a year ago he was an overweight borderline diabetic struggling with high cholesterol. But it just goes to show you what hard work and dedication, corroborated with a balanced diet and proper exercise plan can do for a person. Ramsden, a paramedic for Yorkshire Ambulance Service, weighed 221 pounds (100 kilograms) last Christmas and was taking pills to manage his high cholesterol. Today, he weighs 159 pounds (72 kg) and looks like he has been hitting the gym every day for at least a few decades.

Photos: Dan Ramsden/@danborambo

Steve’s wake-up call came last year, when his back gave in while carrying a patient. After a talk with his family about his constant back pain, the English grandfather decided a drastic lifestyle change was in order if he wanted to remain in his loved ones’ lives for as much as possible. Luckily for him, his son Dan owned a gym and was able to guide him on his transformational journey.

“He has always been quite a manly man and then I feel like he lost his way and lost his confidence as he got older,” Dan told Leeds Live. “He did an intense 12-week transformation course and he was really disciplined. He lost a few stone, and then he cut out drinking and bad foods.”

“Age is just a number, and turning my Dad’s life around has been my greatest achievement to date. This one is really special,” Dan added.

Steve himself is very proud of his transformation as well. He no longer worries about becoming a diabetic, his weight is as low as he can remember in his adult life, and he can see his abs again. He drinks much more rarely than he used to, eats healthy and tries to lead a balanced lifestyle.

“I take people in an ambulance that are younger than me and they’re not as healthy because they’re not looking after themselves, they’re not thinking about themselves,” the 60-year-old said. “Losing that four stone it’s brilliant, I feel miles better in my body, my mind, my lifestyle.”

Steve Ramsden recently opened an Instagram account, so if you want to follow his fitness journey moving forward, that’s the best place to do it.

This inspirational story reminded us of Nhon Ly, the real-life Master Roshi we featured on Oddity Central a few years back.