I’m too thin – now I have to put ON weight, says James ‘Arg’ Argent after 14 stone weight loss
JAMES 'Arg' Argent has revealed he's too skinny after losing a staggering 14 stone following life-saving gastric surgery.
The former Towie star, who went under the knife last April after ballooning to 27 stones, is now trying to sensibly put on weight to achieve his perfect size.
In an exclusive interview with The Sun, he said: "This is the first time in my life that I like the way I look too - I don’t feel ugly anymore - I’m content and happy with my appearance.
"The only problem now is I’ve lost a little bit too much weight and I need to put on half a stone,” he laughs. “Everyone thinks it’s hilarious, we didn’t think we’d ever be in this situation but it’s one thing or another with me - that’s just me!”
The troubled star admits cravings for booze have become worse since his dramatic weight loss.
He ballooned to 26st 13lb in 2020 after bingeing on junk food during the pandemic and had a £10,000 gastric sleeve operation last April after doctors warned him “lose weight or die.”
The star sought comfort in calorific treats such as Indian takeaways, fried chicken and pie and mash in lockdown, after swapping one vice for another. And tragically after his gastric surgery, he did it again.
Arg says: “Before my big operation in April, which was the best thing I've ever done, I would substitute booze and drugs for food - but now my portion control is managed due to the gastric sleeve, I can’t turn to food anymore."
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Earlier this month he had a terrifying relapse on a night out with pals and paramedics were called to his home.
He says: “My problem is that I have cravings for alcohol and that is the gateway to other things like drugs - they say a craving lasts 15 minutes so you should ring a friend or your sponsor and then the craving will go away, but I got what they call a “stinking thinking” and thought things would be different now.
“I stopped attending my alcohol and drug addiction therapy and counselling sessions and I truly forgot how bad things were in the past.
“I thought I was cured and told myself that I can be in control and manage it - but I can’t - I’m an addict and I can’t just go to rehab, come back and be cured, it’s something that I will have to deal with for the rest of my life and that will be in my life forever.
“It’s been almost two weeks since I relapsed and I still don’t feel 100% - I’m anxious, tired, scared and worried but I’m putting the work in and doing everything I possibly can. I wish I hadn’t had that drink but it’s another lesson learned - and relapse is part of recovery.”
Arg is now prioritising his recovery by attending a walk-in rehab centre near his home six days a week and is eager to prove to his loved ones that he is serious about it.
