How I Became Mr Soup and Salad

Hello, I’m John — also known as “Mr Soup and Salad”.

The nickname was given to me at a slimming club, and somehow it stuck.

My journey started on 1 June 2022. I was nearly 19 stone and approaching 60. I originally went along to keep my wife company, and I did not really expect to go back the following week.

But I did go back.

By November 2022, I had reduced my weight from 18st 9lb to 15st 3lb.

That felt like real progress. But, as many people know, weight loss and healthier living do not always move in a straight line.

My weight went back up, came down again, and by 2026 had gone back up to over 18 stone.

So, from June 2026, I am starting that downward trend again. But this time I want the focus to be wider than just weight.

I want to focus on long-term health, energy, wellbeing, better habits, moving more, eating better, and finding ways to keep going when life gets busy.

This is not about appearance. It is not about following someone else’s perfect diet plan.

It is about learning what works in real life.

For me, that includes soup, salad, colour, flavour, nutrition, simple cooking, and growing some of my own food. Growing food has helped me appreciate ingredients more, waste less, and feel more connected to what I eat.

This site is where I will share that journey.

There will be recipes, nutrition facts, ingredient notes, growing tips, wellbeing thoughts, and honest updates along the way.

I am not a trained chef. I am not here to give medical advice or pretend I have all the answers.

I am simply interested in eating better, feeling better, and helping other people find ideas that might work for them too.

If that sounds interesting, welcome aboard.