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Real men, real weight loss stories
We call them Amazing Losers, but you might know them as weight loss before and after stories. They’re motivating, honest, and there’s not a magic pill in sight.
Third Time Lucky: Amazing Loser Nainesh Chainani
A trap that so many of us fall into is to think that we’re free to eat whatever we like once we’re done losing weight. We’ve been there – it seems almost cruel that as you’ve trimmed down you can’t eat with reckless abandon like your skinny friends seem to (spoiler: they really don’t), but let things slip too much and you’ll be back at square one.
That’s what Amazing Loser Nainesh found after losing weight not once but twice before, both times packing the pounds back on after losing his grip on healthy habits. He was determined that his third attempt would be the final time he lost weight…
Name: Nainesh Chainani (find him on Twitter and Instagram)
Age: 27
Height: 173cm (5ft 6)
Location: Vadodara (Gujarat), India
Occupation: Nutrition and workout programme planner
Highest weight: 299lbs (21st 5lbs / 136kg)
Lowest weight: 142lbs (10st 2lbs / 64.5kg)
Weight lost: 157lbs (11st 3.6lbs / 71.5kg)
MAN v FAT Talk username: naineshchainani (ask him anything!)
How did you get to the position where you needed to lose weight?
Hailing from a typical Sindhi (Hindu) family means that even from childhood, I was carrying extra weight. The staple diet at home consisted of oil, cheese, butter, ghee (a type of clarified butter) and lots of sugary food meaning that I packed on the pounds.
My sedentary lifestyle made things even worse and I continued to add weight at a constant pace. I was the chubbiest and most introverted kid in my class all throughout my primary and secondary school years.
What negative experiences did you have of being overweight?
I was ashamed of the way I looked. I was extremely low on self-esteem and had lost all confidence. I had no energy and encountered a lot of body shaming which added to my lack of confidence.
How did you start to lose weight?
In 2006 I decided to start doing some physical activity. I started going to the gym when I was 238lbs and I kept it up for 16 months. I was so motivated, and along with maintaining a strict diet regime, I managed to get down to 183lbs. I was elated with the results, so much so that over the next few months I completely stopped paying attention to my diet. Unsurprisingly, I started gaining weight again.
Did you manage to curb the weight gain?
Unfortunately not. Over a period of 3 years, my weight rose to 280lbs. With only a few months left before I started college, I had little time to get back in shape and look presentable. I didn’t want to start a new phase of life like this – I didn’t want meeting new people to be clouded with opinions about my body, as was the case during my school years.
I managed to lose 100lbs by hitting the gym and eating well again and when I started college I had regained some of my confidence. It was going really well, and at 180lbs I felt great. My newfound confidence led to a new relationship which turned out to be bad news for my weight as I got comfortable and gorged on all kinds of food – taking me right back to square one.
A classic yo-yo dieter – we know the feeling. What made you decide to try to make a change again?
In 2014 I weighed 300lbs. I was ashamed of myself but this time it didn’t just affect me – my parents were ashamed of me too. It got to the point where I wasn’t allowed to attend my cousin’s wedding because of the way I looked. I don’t blame them because I’m sure no parent would want people to laugh at their kid for the way he looks, but it still hurt.
That’s shocking. How did that make you feel?!
It hit me hard. I knew that I was a lazy couch potato who hadn’t been doing any physical activity for years and the extra pounds were weighing me down. I felt so lazy and lethargic. However, not being able to attend the wedding acted as an eye opener and was enough to wake me up.
How did you do it?
I started with making small healthy choices. I went for a small walk 5 or 6 days a week and tried to cut back on eating too much cheese, sugar and oil, but at first I didn’t put 100% into it. I really didn’t want to rush things this time as I wanted the results to last forever, so I started bringing in changes slowly but consistently.
Did you learn from your previous attempts to lose weight?
After losing 55lbs in 2006 and then 100lbs in 2009, I had more than enough experience of losing weight so I knew the drill. I made a note of the mistakes I made during my first two attempts as I didn’t want to repeat them again – I wanted this third attempt to be the final, most refined one with the minimum of mistakes.
How did you change your eating habits?
I started off by avoiding things I felt I should completely stay away from and added more foods to my diet which were light on calories but still very satisfying. After a few months of doing this, I started to correct my portions – I broke down what I was eating into 7 or 8 meals a day and also corrected the times I was eating.
I would avoid having any solid meals two hours before my bedtime and made sure that all calorie dense foods were consumed in the morning to leave me feeling satisfied all day. I only ate carb-heavy or rich in fat food before working out so that I had enough energy to exercise and my post-workout meals were high in protein and fibre.
Were you strict with your eating or did you allow yourself some treats?
Sundays were my compulsory cheat days! Bodies need a shock once a week or they get too used to your diet, so I used my Sundays to eat anything and everything I wanted. I would write down all the things I craved from Monday to Saturday and then I would eat them on Sundays. This way I fulfilled all of my food cravings and in return it gave me something to look forward to, so I stayed focused on my goals for the rest of the week.
Did your cheat day affect the rest of your week?
After enjoying an extravagant Sunday I would easily gain 3-3.5lbs so on Monday and Tuesday I mostly ate fruit – usually apples, watermelon or papaya, protein shakes and salad with fibre rich veggies, cottage cheese and boiled legumes.
What sort of exercise did you do?
I started off by just walking, doing 40 minutes 5 days a week and gradually increasing the length of my walks. I joined the gym once I felt like I’d developed some stamina – I started with an hour of cardio every day and half an hour of circuit training (light weights but a fast pace, with minimum to no rest between sets) and built it up to doing an hour of circuit training, getting faster and increasing the weights I was using.
What was the most difficult thing about losing weight?
When you’re heavier you tend to lose weight really quickly but when you start shedding pounds you tend to lose the pace and the entire process slows down as you get closer and closer to your goal. So you have to push even harder to get the scales moving.
How has life changed now that you’ve lost weight?
I’ve constantly surprised myself with how hard I can work. When my body started getting in shape, people started noticing the change which gave me a huge high – I felt great hearing all the praise and compliments people were giving me for my hard work. The more people noticed the more effort I put in, I was greedy for compliments! When people started noticing me my hope and motivation skyrocketed just as I was starting to get bored of the same monotonous lifestyle.
What do other fat men need to know about losing weight?
If I can manage to knock down 158lbs in 24 months with such a slow but consistent approach, anyone can do it! It seems daunting but start slow and start now before it’s too late.
My mantras were:
- Want lasting results? Go slow
- Increase your pace! Every week
- Increase your intensity! Every week
- Increase your active minutes! Every week
- Increase your restrictions on unhealthy food! Every week
Now that you’ve lost weight, how are you planning on maintaining your weight loss?
I have been huge all my life, but I’m currently the smallest I’ve ever been. I’m currently 64.5kgs (142lbs) with a body fat percentage of 11% but my goal is now to reach 100kg (220lbs) by putting on muscle and to maintain a body fat percentage of below 9%. I dream to conquer Mount Everest someday and I will do it soon, it’ll be part 2 of my transformation story and I’m working on it!
Brighter Life: Amazing Loser Russel
Here at MAN v FAT, we’re happy to support anything that leads to healthy weight loss. We get a lot of emails from people wishing to push their magic pills, wraps and shakes on the site – you know the type, the things that will DEFINITELY help you lose a million pounds a week. We obviously say no (or send their emails straight to spam) but there’s a bit of a grey area in between your conventional ‘eat better, exercise more’ and the wacky ‘this aloe vera shot will help you drop 6 stone before you can say ew‘: that of the very low calorie meal replacement diet.
This week’s Amazing Loser lost a phenomenal amount of weight while following the Lighter Life plan – a meal replacement diet plan which you can do only under the supervision of a trained, experienced counsellor. For those who have a lot of weight to lose, or those who find food too much to think about, it can be a good option to help you lose weight. So we wanted to find out how it feels to only have shakes for dinner, plus what really happens in the weekly LighterLife group counselling sessions…
Name: Russel Newland
Age: 55
Height: 5ft 6
Location: High Wycombe
Occupation: Assistant Manager at local recycle centre
Highest weight: 339lbs (24st 3lbs / 153kg)
Lowest weight: 161lbs (11st 7lbs / 73kg)
Weight lost: 178lbs
How did you get to the position where you needed to lose weight?
I didn’t start having any problems with my weight until I reached my mid-twenties. I worked in a factory at the time and, because I was the only one with a motorbike, I would go and collect everyone’s lunch for them from the pizza place or fish and chip shop. Most of the girls I worked with could never finish their lunch, so I’d do it for them. Before long, my weight began to creep up and at my heaviest, I was 24st 13lbs.
What negative experiences did you have of being overweight?
Getting around was difficult. I hurt my foot which was impeded by my weight gain. I never had any energy. The list goes on and on. I was also unable to do an indoor skydive due to my size. Now that I’ve lost weight it has given me a whole new lease of life.
What made you decide to change?
On the first day in my new job, the site manager declared that they had a pirate on their hands. Always up for a laugh, I reinvented my look to embody that of my new namesake. By the time my pirate image was born I had a 44+ inch waist. Before long I wanted to look smarter couldn’t but couldn’t fit into clothes that I deemed stylish and still look good. My partner was also concerned about my health, so the combination of the two made me take action.
How did you do it?
I joined LighterLife where I swapped conventional food for four nutritious meals, shakes, bars and pots a day. I also attended weekly group telephone sessions, where my LighterLife counsellor helped me identify the reasons behind why I’d been overeating. They also gave me the tools I needed to help me understand how I could make long term lifestyle changes to improve my health.
Had you tried to lose weight before? If yes, what made this time different from the times before?
I have tried diet after diet but LighterLife was the first diet that worked for me. I became frustrated by the slow rate of weight loss while doing other diets and I soon fell back into old habits. The thing that makes LighterLife different from all other weight loss programmes is the weekly group sessions. Although other weight loss plans have weekly meetings, this was different: each week I attended weekly calls with my Counsellor and other guys, who like me, were struggling with their weight. During these weekly sessions I learnt a lot about myself and my relationship with food. I also enjoyed having a strict plan to follow. Taking conventional food out of the equation gave me clearer focus on the other areas of my life.
What did you eat before you lost weight?
Before I lost weight I would eat whatever I wanted to eat, I would eat but on a larger scale. Growing up I was the youngest of six siblings. When food was put on the table you had to eat as quickly as you could or risk going without, wasting food was not an option. I carried this mantra into my adult life, so if someone didn’t finish their food I would finish it for them after I’d finished my own.
How did you find LighterLife? Was it difficult to adjust to eating the products?
My first week on the LighterLife packs was a lot easier than I thought it would be. I was amazed by the range of meals, bars and shakes that I could choose from. Not only do they taste really good they also fit easily with my lifestyle. I attended weekly telephone groups, which were fantastic. Having followed different diets in the past I thought I knew everything there was to know about going to groups. But LighterLife’s weekly group telephone sessions were an enlightening surprise. Each week I dialled into a group session with a trained counsellor and other guys who were also struggling with their weight. During these closed weekly sessions I learnt a lot about myself and my relationship with food.
Can you give us an example of what these sessions entailed?
The LighterLife telephone groups really help you identify more about yourself and your relationship with food. My weekly group calls have 12 other blokes on them and together you learn the tools to help you banish temptation and improve other areas of your life. One of the modules I now use in everyday life is called STOP. This helps you stop and think about how you’re feeling when you reach for an unhealthy meal or snack. You take 10 seconds to think about how you’re feeling, how you’ll feel if you give in and how you’ll feel if you don’t give in. It’s really helpful. Some people in my group have also used it to help them stop smoking.
What do you eat now?
Now I’ve reached my goal weight I just eat smaller portions. I make mindful choices of what I’m having for dinner, I plan better and eat lots more fruit and veg.
What was the most difficult thing about losing weight?
Temptation is the most difficult thing about losing weight but the results are more than worth it. Seeing other people enjoying pizza used to be hard but, back then I could never stop at just one or two slices. I can now enjoy a piece of pizza without feeling like I have to eat the whole thing. I am now also able to enjoy my food instead of sleepwalking through meal times.
How has life changed now that you’ve lost weight?
Losing weight has given me a whole new lease of life. I can now wear my skinny jeans and waistcoats with pride. I’m also so much more comfortable and have lots more energy. Since losing weight I’ve also been able to take part in an indoor skydive at iFly in Milton Keynes – something I never would have been able to do before I lost weight.
Who supported you the most on your journey and how did they help?
My partner Kate was so supportive, especially around mealtimes. By doing what I was doing she also started making healthier choices, so doing the diet benefitted both of us.
If you could go back to the person you were at your heaviest, what would you say to him?
If I could go back to the person I was at my heaviest I would tell him to sort himself out. I would explain that he is better than this, he can do better than this and he could have a whole new lease of life by starting to make changes today.
Now that you’ve lost weight, how are you planning on maintaining your weight loss?
Now that I have lost weight I will continue going to my Lighter Life groups. They’ve been teaching me so much about the importance of nutrition and portion control. They’ve taught me not to live my life by the scales but to adjust my intake sooner rather than later to prevent weight regain.
You’re Prime Minister/President for the day – what law would you bring in to help combat the obesity problem?
If I was Prime Minister for the day I would make it compulsory for everyone to take part in food education classes. It’s so important to educate people what food is about, and how to make conscious decisions around food choices. Eating in front of the TV should also be banned unless you’ve portioned out your food properly beforehand, it’s so easy to overeat when you’re not aware of what you’re doing.
What three things do other fat men need to know about losing weight?
The three thing people need to know about losing weight is:
- Even losing just 5% of your weight will improve your health and reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, blood pressure etc
- When you lose weight your confidence will come back in leaps and bounds
- Taking control of your weight will help you realise that you can be comfortable, you won’t be laughed at, you’re not restricted by your weight, you can achieve what you want to achieve – it will help you realise that you are in control and that will make you happy
The Walsh Twins: Amazing Loser Rob
If you’ve got a lot of weight to lose, it’s worth bearing in mind that you should celebrate your weight loss at every stage. Too often you see those picture-perfect before and after shots where a man has lost hundreds of pounds, but all you see is the end result and it’s easy to forget that there are many stages to losing weight. This week’s Amazing Loser has already lost 89lbs and although he’s not done with losing weight, he’s taking the time to recognise how even making a start on losing weight has already made his life significantly better…
Name: Rob Walsh (ask him anything on Talk)
Age: 29
Height: 5’11”
Location: Berkshire
Occupation: Security officer
Highest weight: 433lbs (196kg)
Lowest weight: 344lbs (156kg)
Weight lost: 89lbs (40kg)
How did you get to the position where you needed to lose weight?
I used to play rugby but stopped after a shoulder injury and gradually put on the weight over a number of years. I was very inactive and lazy. Shift work hours also made it difficult to structure meals, so I was eating late at night after not eating all day. I kept putting off starting to lose weight for years but after splitting with my girlfriend just after Christmas it gave me the kick up the arse I needed and haven’t looked back since.
What negative experiences did you have of being overweight?
I was conscious of so many things that people with no weight problems take for granted. Will I fit into the seat at a restaurant? Will the belt on the aeroplane fit around me? You do notice people looking at you differently, almost judging you. Every day is a struggle and I was having issues with my back, knees and ankles. I used to sweat a lot at work and in social situations which just made me even more self-conscious.
<div>[blocktext align=”right”]”Every day is a struggle when you’re overweight”[/blocktext]</div>
What made you decide to change?
My twin brother had started boxing 5 months prior and had attempted to get me into it but I kept putting it off with countless excuses. At the start of the new year, it felt like a good point to have a fresh start as I was also feeling low after a breakup. I wanted to throw myself into something and change my life.
How did you do it?
I started boxing training with an ex-pro. I literally had the lowest level of fitness so I was starting from nothing but gradually I built up and up. I completely changed my diet so that I was eating three meals a day and keeping track of my calories. I cut out carbs like rice, pasta, potatoes etc., and instead ate lots of chicken, fish and veg. After a few months I joined the gym and now I am even running which I never thought I would be doing.
Had you tried to lose weight before? If yes, what made this time different from the times before?
Yes I have on a number of occasions. I’ve been successful so I knew I had it in me to lose it. I joined Weight Watchers when I was 15/16, and then I did the Cambridge diet when I was 20/21. I lost four stone following the Cambridge plan (a very low-calorie diet where you start off having only Cambridge diet products such as shakes and soups) but it’s not sustainable long term. What I’m doing now is sustainable and that’s the difference. It’s been 7 months since I started and not once have I considered stopping or giving up. I am eating on average 1200 calories a day, sometimes a bit more or a bit less but I’ve never felt like I’m starving or really struggling.
What did you eat before you lost weight?
Compete crap to be honest, with lots of fast food. My big downfall was McDonalds breakfast. I could be off work for four days and I would have one every morning. Chinese was also a big one for me. Chocolate was also a daily thing and I drank lots of Diet Coke.
What do you eat now?
Lots of fish, chicken, fruit and veg. My snacks are cashew nuts, chicken snack packs that I get from Lidl. I plan my meals around my shift work so I never eat late at night anymore. I have poached eggs and smoked salmon for breakfast every day.
Did you do any exercise? How did you start exercising, and what did you do?
I do boxing training 2 or 3 times a week. This is pretty high intensity, sparring with my brother as we train together. Each session ends with circuits which really get you blowing. I also go to the gym where I do mainly cardio – I normally finish with swimming. I do a lot of dog walking and recently I have started running around the park with the dog and doing hill sprints. I even rented out a bike in London last week and rode around for a few hours which I was so proud of myself for doing as it’s something I would not have even considered before.
What was the most difficult thing about losing weight?
For me it’s not the actual diet or exercise it’s just about staying focused and staying on track. I have never considered giving up but there is a lot of temptation out there and it’s so easy to just say yes to foods you know you shouldn’t be having. Working towards targets is such a big thing for me. A friend’s wedding in April was my main target when I started, then I focused on a stag do and so on. So much of losing the weight is psychological which I never truly understood until now.
How did you overcome any difficulties?
Losing weight alongisde my twin brother has been the best thing we have ever done together. We keep each other on track and support one another all the way through. I do wonder if I would have been able to keep going if I was doing this alone and I doubt I would have.
<div>[blocktext align=”right”]”Working towards targets is such a big thing”[/blocktext]</div>
How has life changed now that you’ve lost weight?
Life just feels a lot easier. I don’t wake up every day with aches and pains, in fact I feel really good. I feel fit now, which is such a good feeling. I have so much more energy, it has made me want to get out more and do stuff rather than just sitting at home. Having the seatbelt fit around me on a flight for the first time felt amazing, I can’t even explain how good that felt.
The nice comments you get from work colleagues, friends and family makes you feel good and keeps you on track. I have done things in the last 7 months I would have never done previously which is a massive thing for me. It has saved my life.
Who supported you the most on your journey and how did they help?
My brother, mum, sister and my girlfriend. Like I said before doing this with my brother has helped us both so much and the support we get from our family doesn’t go unnoticed. My girlfriend has seen a big change in my in so many ways and it has changed our relationship completely – all in positive ways.
You lost weight along with your brother – how did you find having him on the same journey?
We have lived it together so we both know exactly how hard it’s been. When we need support we have each other and we help push one another. It has changed both our lives so far but we both know we have a long way to go so we don’t allow each other to get complacent and think we have cracked it.
<div>[blocktext align=”right”]”[Losing weight] has saved my life”[/blocktext]</div>
If you could go back to the person you were at your heaviest, what would you say to him?
Sort your life out mate, because at the minute you’re not living, you’re just existing. That sounds extreme but it’s true.
Now that you’ve lost weight, how are you planning on maintaining your weight loss?
I still have a long way to go with my weight loss, I would say I’m just over half way there at the moment. I have targets in my head so I just need to stay focused. In terms of maintaining the weight I’ve lost so far, I only have to think back to how I use to feel daily and that is enough to know that I will never go back to how I was. The before and after pictures I have are enough to make me realise that too.
You’re Prime Minister/President for the day – what law would you bring in to help combat the obesity problem?
At least one hour of compulsory exercise a day doing something they like – not just running laps or doing press ups but something that keeps them wanting to do more.
What three things do other fat men need to know about losing weight?
- It will turn your life around in so many ways, you have no idea
- Once you get into a good routine it becomes second-nature
- Losing weight opens up so many doors for you that you never even knew existed
If you want to make a change to your life right now – then sign up for one of our free 30 day online weight programmes, the only thing you’ve got to lose is fat…
The Walsh Twins: Amazing Loser Dan
Following in the footsteps of MAN v FAT Football legends the Gallon brothers, this month we bring you a tale of two parts: a weight loss before and after story from identical twins who both decided their weight had held them back for too long and it was time to lose weight, leaning on each other for support and inspiration along the way.
This week we hear from Dan, who having tried – and failed – to lose weight in the past, decided to change after a humiliating experience with an airplane seatbelt (you know the one). Unlike the strict regimes which were doomed to fail in the past, this time Dan had a secret weapon: he had the support of his identical twin brother, and a way of exercising that he truly loved – and both helped him to finally start shifting the pounds for good…
Name: Dan Walsh (ask him anything on Talk)
Age: 29
Height: 6ft
Location: Berkshire
Occupation: PR Consultant
Highest weight: 426lbs (193kg)
Lowest weight: 322lbs (146kg)
Weight lost: 104lbs (47kg)
How did you get to the position where you needed to lose weight?
I’ve always been a big lad, but it got to the stage where I wasn’t just a ‘big lad’ – I was huge and needed to sort my life out. After playing rugby from the age of 14 to 21, injuries meant I had to stop. Looking back that was definitely the start of becoming increasingly lazy and inactive. I tried the gym thing countless times but I just couldn’t stick to it. Year after year I continued to pile on the weight until it got to a point last year where I said enough is enough.
What negative experiences did you have of being overweight?
There’s been plenty!
From turning up to meetings with clients sweating like mad to struggling with seats in restaurants – everything became a struggle. I realised when you’re bigger that you are looked at differently and so social situations in general became negative at times. Looking back I think my weight definitely contributed to the breakdown of a previous relationship too.
The biggest one for me though was a stag do I went on last June. It was the first time in years that my friends and I had flown together. For weeks before I’d been worrying about the seatbelts fitting and my fears became reality in front of all of my mates. I laughed it off but the embarrassment was huge. I don’t blame them for laughing one bit – it was my fault I was in that situation. It’s definitely the one experience that sticks out the most.
<div>[blocktext align=”right”]”When you’re bigger, you’re looked at differently”[/blocktext]</div>
What made you decide to change?
I remember sitting on that flight thinking “never again”. It was like a lightbulb moment. I’d had enough of the way I was. I’d had enough of being lazy and letting so many things pass me by. I’d had enough of thinking “I’ll start the diet on Monday”. I’d had enough of funny looks and comments from people. I’d just had enough.
How did you do it?
From my rugby days, I had a pretty good idea about nutrition and what to eat once I was on a diet. For me it’s always been the exercise. I needed something to get my teeth into and something I’d stick to.
I’ve always loved boxing so I started to do some research into local clubs, and I came across Ian Bailey, who is a professional boxer and personal trainer. I’m not going to lie, before that first session I was so scared; I couldn’t sleep the night before. It was so hard and I struggled at times, but I loved it and afterwards I was buzzing for the next session.
For the last year I’ve trained with Ian 2-3 times a week. At the start I was so drained from each session that I wasn’t able to do any other exercise the rest of the week, but as I got fitter and stronger I joined a local gym, I found a hill to run up near where I live – I have even been running!
Ian also runs his own boxing shows where amateurs can fight. After 6-7 months of training, I decided to really challenge myself so I signed up for the next show in June of this year. We upped the training and I was so strict with myself leading up to the fight. I lost narrowly on points but I was so proud of myself for getting in there. I would never have imagined when I was sitting on that flight without a seatbelt able to go around me that I would step into a boxing ring in front of hundreds of people less than a year later. I was so proud of myself.
For my diet, I decided to totally cut out carbs. It took a while to get used to but it’s really paid off. Once a week, normally Sundays, I have a cheat afternoon where I can eat pretty much what I want, although I have completely cut out takeaways.
Had you tried to lose weight before? If yes, what made this time different from the times before?
For years! I have lost count how many times I have tried to lose weight before. What made this time different was the boxing training. I was getting fit whilst learning a totally new sport that I loved. I’m at a point now where I couldn’t imagine not boxing or training with Ian.
This time I’ve managed to find a whole new level of motivation too. At times where I’ve really struggled with my diet or the exercise, I’ve kept going. Ian has pushed and pushed me but not once have I ever given up or stopped.
The support of my family and friends has been massive for me too. As the weight started coming off and people started to say nice things it gave me an extra boost to do more and more. I felt like I was making them proud.
What did you eat before you lost weight?
Breakfast – either nothing at all or something sugary like a cereal bar
Lunch – baguette or sandwich, chocolate, fizzy drink
Dinner – any type of fast food
I’d binge on sandwiches or chocolate after work regularly. All I used to drink was Diet Coke. At weekends I would go mad with beers too and would have takeaway Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
What do you eat now?
Breakfast – eggs and salmon
Lunch – chicken breast, eggs, avocado, mixed salad
Dinner – chicken/turkey/salmon/mackerel with asparagus, vegetables, feta, halloumi
My snacks now are seafood sticks, a pack of chicken or some nuts. I have cut out Diet Coke completely and now when I do drink its G&Ts.
What was the most difficult thing about losing weight?
Sticking with it and being consistent. In years gone by I would start a strict regime and last for a month or 6 weeks. This time I have been going for a whole year.
Once I got into the exercise I haven’t looked back. Having that rugby background has definitely helped. The fitter I’ve become the more I’ve wanted to do. Setting a goal, in my case fighting, really helped in the way it made me focus on something too.
Diet-wise, having that afternoon on a Sunday where I can stop being so strict I believe has helped me so much. I don’t go crazy and I never have a takeaway, but I will go to M&S and get a sandwich or something carb-heavy for dinner. Then once Monday hits I’m back to it.
How did you overcome any difficulties?
I feel like I’ve developed an inner strength and drive that never existed before. I don’t let anything get in my way or distract me from continuing, and I think that is massive.
The support network around me is so important too. My mum, sister, brother and friends have helped me so much. My twin brother Rob is big like me and although it took him a while, he has now joined my sessions with Ian and we’ve become competitive against each another. He drives me every session and we help each other stay on track with our food. I couldn’t have done this without him.
<div>[blocktext align=”right”]”I’ve developed a drive that never existed before”[/blocktext]</div>
How has life changed now that you’ve lost weight?
It has literally changed my life in every way.
With work, I’m not arriving to meetings sweating like crazy. My job is all about how people perceive you and that wasn’t a good look. I look better which means I’m able to dress better and I have my confidence back – all of which are helping me in my job every day.
I’m able to do lots more. I feel like I want to do more. I’m so much more confident now than I was so dating and meeting new people feels exciting rather than a worry that they’ll judge you for your size.
It’s changed for me socially too. No more am I worried about not fitting into seats in a bar or restaurant. Or worried about people looking at you. It sounds crazy, but I feel like I’ve become invisible again – people aren’t staring at me on the tube or when I’m walking down the street. I’ve got a long way to go with my weight loss, but I’m at a point where people aren’t thinking “Wow look at the size of him”. I like being invisible.
I’ve gone full circle when it comes to flying too. 6 months after starting I had to fly to Finland for work. Again, I was scared and worried…but the seatbelt fitted! I was so happy and now that feeling of dread when I travel has gone.
Who supported you the most on your journey and how did they help?
It has to be my family, but mostly my brother. Since joining in our sessions with Ian in January, my weight loss has sped up and we’ve become a team. We box together and drive each other. Like I said, there’s no way I could have done this without him.
You lost weight along with your brother – how did you find having him on the same journey?
It took me a while to convince him to join me! He hasn’t looked back since he did. Sessions have become competitive against each other and we’ve pushed one another on a level.
To have him by my side has been amazing and something I’m so proud of. It’s changed his life as well.
<div>[blocktext align=”right”]”[Losing weight] has literally changed my life in every way”[/blocktext]</div>
If you could go back to the person you were at your heaviest, what would you say to him?
Stop. Enough is enough. You don’t want to live your life this way. You are better than this. You deserve better from life, Dan.
That’s it really. I’d want to show him that there’s more to life than worrying about what seats you’ll fit into or how you’re going to stop sweating after walking from a train station for 5 minutes. You’re too young to feel like this!
Now that you’ve lost weight, how are you planning on maintaining your weight loss?
Boxing is going to continue, and I can’t ever see that stopping. I’m due to fight again in December so that will be something big to aim for again. I’ve also been back to rugby training in the last month or so and I have set myself some goals which I’m determined to tick off between now and the end of the year.
The diet I have is now something I’m used to and love. I feel great, so why change?!
You’re Prime Minister/President for the day – what law would you bring in to help combat the obesity problem?
Classes in schools focused on food, nutrition and what you should or shouldn’t be eating. I never did anything like that at school.
What three things do other fat men need to know about losing weight?
- It’s not easy. It can be horrible at times but you need to have an image in your head about where you want to be – and don’t give up until you get there
- Exercise is massive – but only exercise that is sustainable. I don’t think I’d have got the results I have if I’d just gone to a normal gym 3-4 times a week. Go and try a new sport or something out of the ordinary. You could end up loving it
- Support network – tell everyone that is close to you about you planning to lose weight at the start. They will support you.
If you want to make a change to your life right now – then sign up for one of our free 30 day online weight programmes, the only thing you’ve got to lose is fat…
Fit Not Fat: Amazing Loser Colin
Although the idea seems to defy logic, it is possible to be fit but fat. Even when he was at his heaviest, Amazing Loser Colin took part in fitness events most of us could only dream of doing. He was in denial about his need to lose weight because of his fitness ability, and a stressful and demanding job meant that he found himself eating constantly. Colin soon realised that he needed to change when old injuries brought new problems – and the realisation that eating and health go hand in hand…
- Name: Colin McMillan (ask him anything on Talk)
- Job: Prison officer
- Location: Hull
- Height: 5’11” (180cm)
- Age: 40
- Highest weight: 234lbs (106.4kg)
- Lowest weight: 185lbs (84kg)
How did you get to the position where you needed to lose weight?
My job can be stressful at times and I work long hours which makes eating the right, healthy food a bit difficult. I have always been fit (a typical fit fat bloke) and in my time off I like to compete in obstacle course racing and I do extreme endurance events such as climbing the national 3 peaks and 5 peaks. For me, being fat was never about the fitness side of things it was all to do with my food habits, such as coming home and vegetating in front of the TV with all sorts of sweets and fizzy drinks!
I like to do things which are considered outside the norm so for me the thing that worked, exercise-wise, was running. By the end of the programme it was normal for me to be running upwards of 80 miles a week, and training 2 or 3 times a day. I would often change my routine or exercise plan just so my body didn’t become used to it, which helped prevent me from hitting any plateau and I lost a steady amount each week. Even though I enjoy running it was sometimes a battle with myself to get up (especially at 4 in the morning) and go for a run or go to the gym. I also joined my local MAN v FAT Football league.
MAN v FAT Football I believe a crucial difference because my team were my motivation. I don’t know if it stems from my military background or not but I felt I couldn’t let my team down.
After a few weeks at MAN v FAT Football when I was starting to lose the weight I then challenged myself. I set my target of 84kg (185lbs) and dared myself to get to it. I didn’t think I would do it in one season but I knew I would achieve my aim at some point. What also helped was the fact that I had a reason to train as I had agreed to do a charity bike ride at the end of the season too.
What did you eat before and after you lost weight?
Before I started my journey, on a normal day I would normally eat snack type foods such as sandwiches and rather than sitting down to eat a meal I would eat throughout the day. The downside to this was that I was never full so would eat more than I needed to but that also meant I couldn’t track how much I was eating in terms of calories and carbs etc. because I was constantly eating.
Now I try to eat three meals a day (which isn’t always possible due to work) and try not to snack. I cut my carb intake down so I tend to eat porridge for breakfast with a little bit of fruit such as berries. Then I will have some sort of salad for lunch and then chicken or fish (I don’t like red meat) with fresh veggies for dinner. I try to limit the amount of fruit I eat due to the sugar content but if I want something sweet I tend to have some fresh fruit and yoghurt.
1. It’s not easy, but it is worth it.
2. It won’t be straightforward, but don’t beat yourself up if you gain weight, just examine why it’s happened and try not to let it happen again.
3. Don’t feel embarrassed about trying to lose weight, I get more inspiration from seeing overweight people try to lose weight than the ones that have been training for years.
If you want to make a change to your life right now – then simply sign up for one of our free 30 day online weight programmes, the only thing you’ve got to lose is fat…
A Piece of Cake: Amazing Loser Ben Seeley
As you might have heard, we’re celebrating this week as MAN v FAT Football has hit the massive milestone of helping players around the country lose a total of 30 tons. So who better for this week’s Amazing Loser than the man who holds the record for most weight lost in a single season? Ben lost almost 100lbs – yes you heard, ONE HUNDRED POUNDS – in just one season playing with his MAN v FAT team FC Twentie Stone after weight loss clicked and everything fell into place…
- Name: Ben Seeley (ask him anything on Talk)
- Job: Sous chef at BBQ restaurant Three Wise Monkeys
- Location: Colchester
- Height: 6’1″ (185cm)
- Age: 24
- Highest weight: 294lbs (133kg)
- Lowest weight: 196lbs (89kg)
- Plan: I made my own diet as none of the conventional ones suited me
How did you get to the position where you needed to lose weight?
I always knew that I needed to drop some weight but like most people will agree, life gets in the way. I swear to God, when my partner was pregnant with our first baby she didn’t gain any weight except the baby but I gained a lot!
What made it different from the times before?
The team aspect of MAN v FAT Football – you get points for weight loss which count towards the match score and you don’t want to let your teammates down so you’re dropping the weight for them as well as yourself.
If you want to make a change to your life right now – then simply sign up for one of our free 30 day online weight programmes, the only thing you’ve got to lose is fat…
Getting started with weight loss
Want to lose weight but not sure where to start? We’ve all been there. Get all the info you need right here.
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