Man loses 3 stone after being inspired by wife’s IVF struggle to become healthier

'This time, I had proper goals and motivation to do it'

Sarah Young
Monday 14 August 2017 15:04 BST
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One of Hugh's goals was to create a before-and-after photoshoot
One of Hugh's goals was to create a before-and-after photoshoot

A man has successfully lost three stone in quest of fatherhood, saying that he was inspired by his wife’s struggle with IVF.

Hugh Gwon and his wife Nichola – the co-creators of popular web comic series “My Korean Husband” – have been married for five years and choose to document their love for each other in their comics, which have recently been turned into a book.

Recently though, their drawings garnered a new focus as Gwon embarked on a fitness journey.

But, unlike most people, Gwon wasn’t seeking the perfect body. Instead, he decided to lose weight to get fitter and healthier for the children he and Nichola were struggling to conceive.

After failing a round of IVF, Gwon saw how difficult the process was on his wife and “wanted to share the burden.”

“When I saw Nichola struggle and what her body had to go through, I wanted to do something for her,” the 34-year-old told HuffPost.

“We had a failed round of IVF and the doctor said it was a difficult case.

“I was starting to get health problems from my weight, too. I thought about what I could do, and realised we might have a better chance if I were healthier.”

With studies showing that exercise – specifically steady cardio like jogging – can significantly improve the quality of a man’s sperm, Gwon was determined to lose as much weight as he could.

And, after six months he successfully managed to drop 3 stone (50lbs) – something he credits to healthy eating, exercise and the support of his wife.

To achieve his goal, Gwon developed his stamina with the help of a personal trainer before moving on to thrice-weekly runs, circuit training and at-home workouts.

“I think I had tried so many times and I failed because I didn’t have proper strategies and focused on just losing weight, not why I wanted to lose it,” he explained.

“This time, I had proper goals and motivation to do it.”

In addition to documenting his weight loss journey with a vlog on YouTube, the Seoul, South-Korea based artist also shared his triumph on Instagram with an impressive before-and-after photo.

"That [after] photoshoot was one of my goals,” Gwon said.

“It’s a good way to document achievement and nice to look back on, especially when you’re older.”

That’s not the only thing Gwon has announced on social media though. That’s right, after months of trying the happy couple revealed that they were in fact expecting their first child who is due to arrive in November.

“I know how hard it was for him,” Gwon’s wife, Nichola, added.

“I’m so impressed at all the changes he’s made so he can be a supportive and healthy husband and father.”

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