Losing weight often brings to mind strict diets, cutting out favorite foods, or hours in the gym, but for one man, the key was far simpler. By making walking part of his everyday life, he cut his body weight in half and transformed his health.
Anthony Piccaver, a 34-year-old retail assistant from Nottingham, England, once weighed 467 pounds. Today, he weighs 224. He credits his success not to dieting but to walking—sometimes 30,000 steps or more each day. His story shows how one consistent habit can change everything.
From coffee walks to 16 million steps
Piccaver’s weight loss journey didn’t start with a plan. In fact, it began with a small inconvenience. One day, unable to get a ride to his favorite coffee shop, he decided to walk instead. That first mile led to four, and before long, he was setting a target of 10,000 steps a day.
Over the next two years, walking became a daily routine. He wore through 22 pairs of trainers and logged more than 16 million steps—around 8,000 miles. In one month alone, he tracked close to one million steps. His job in retail, which kept him on his feet, also helped boost his totals. He walked to and from work, added long weekend strolls, and often turned casual outings with friends into 20-mile treks.
Unlike many weight loss stories, Piccaver didn’t overhaul his diet. Aside from cutting back on chips, he continued enjoying coffee shop treats and the foods he loved. The difference was that walking shifted his energy, helping him stay active throughout the day and slowly but steadily shed the pounds.
He said the habit never felt like punishment. Instead, it became something he looked forward to: time to clear his head, move his body, and enjoy being outdoors. That shift in mindset was just as important as the physical activity itself. “I’ve lost over half my body weight and managed to bounce back”, he told Newsweek.
Overcoming setbacks and rebuilding health through a habit
Before his turnaround, Piccaver’s health was in decline. He struggled for years with fatigue, which eventually led to job loss and housing instability. Doctors eventually diagnosed him with sleep apnea in 2017. He began using a CPAP machine, which improved his sleep but didn’t address his weight.
During that period, he said he felt isolated and ashamed, withdrawing from social media and friends. Walking provided both structure and relief. The simple act of moving gave him energy, lifted his mood, and became something he genuinely enjoyed.
Now, although he still relies on his CPAP machine, Piccaver says he feels like a different person. He has regained confidence and built a strong support system of friends who join him on his long walks. He also says his relationship with food feels healthier, since he doesn’t attach guilt to eating the things he enjoys.
His story is a reminder that meaningful change doesn’t always require drastic diets or punishing workouts. Sometimes it comes from consistency and one sustainable habit, and for Piccaver, that habit was walking.
