STUART BINGHAM says he “felt a million dollars” when he shed more than three stone in weight this year through weekly fat-loss injections.
But he admits he had to be cautious about how many pigs-in-blankets he had on Christmas Day lunchtime after piling on a few pounds by sinking pints at recent tournaments.
However on the snooker table, Ball Run, 49, feels he has finally got confidence back in his game following his run to the Shoot Out final in Blackpool.
Bingham, the 2015 world snooker champion, started using Mounjaro self-injectable pens in November 2024 and eventually slimmed down from 18 stone to a healthier 15.
The world No18 went down to a 34-inch waist size in trousers after taking the prescription medication drugs that essentially suppress appetite for food.
Speaking about his reduced figure, Bingham told SunSport: “This time last year I think I must have already lost a couple of stone. So I was touching 18 stone before it came off.
“I felt good. Funnily enough I had a bit of knee trouble and a bit of sciatica. By losing that weight, all the aches and pains, slowly and gradually, went away.
“I didn’t realise it to be fair. But I felt so much better in myself.
“Obvioiusly the clothes started to be baggy and I couldn’t eat as much but felt a million dollars.
“We had a little taster before Christmas with some Yorkshire puddings, some stuffing and pigs in blankets. We had that the other day, and it was really nice.
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“For Christmas Day, we got some fresh meat from the butchers. It is one of those where I get halfway through dinner now and then I’m full up.
“Where I should normally call it a day, I dig my heels in and plough through the meal. It might make me ill for a couple of days after, but it is worth it.
“I still love my food, it’s still hard not eating as much.
“To be fair, with the injections, it makes you forget to eat. Like the other day, I had a banana for breakfast and then something late at night.
“Whereas before I’d always pick throughout the day, have a sandwich, breakfast and a main meal. Now I’m eating once or possibly twice a day.
“Christmas was hard. I put on half a stone beforehand with the Shoot Out and Scottish Open – I was enjoying a few Guinesses.”
Bingham made it all the way to the final of the Shoot Out this month but lost out to unranked Alfie Burden, who celebrated his maiden ranking title.
Yet the 2020 Masters champion – he is not involved in next month’s 16-man event at Ally Pally – is hoping to “turn the corner” in the New Year.
Speaking before the three-day JenningsBet Seniors British Open in Derby, which is being screened live on Channel 5, Bingham said: “It hasn’t been a good couple of years.
“I haven’t played as much as I normally do.
“This week’s World Seniors event is another opportunity for me to play. And that’s the attraction. It’s a new venue in Derby.
“Before the Shoot Out and Scottish Open, I felt like my game was maybe slipping a bit.
“Not sure what I have got left in the game. But then I had a good week in Blackpool and it all changed.
“I feel like I have turned a corner with my game. My expectations for 2026 are like every year. I want to try to get my hands on a trophy.”
