Dean's Calorie Counting Success Story

Dean, Age 40, Height 5ft 11in

Start Weight	140kg (22st)
Current Weight	80kg (12st)
Goal Weight	80kg (12st)
Weight Lost	60kg (9st 6lbs)
Working to Rate of Loss	2kg to start per week (1lb)
Time Taken	7 months 1 week(1lb)

Dieting History

I've not tried any such 'known' diet before, however I have cut down on foods before to lose weight in the past, I didn't however go to the same regime as to count every calorie.

Have you lost weight before and regained the weight?

Many years ago (1992) I lost 5 stones down from 18½ stones to 13½ stones, however I couldn't stay there as I wasn't disciplined enough to change my lifestyle at that time and over the next couple of years I piled it all back on, and then some.

How being overweight has affected you…

To be honest my weight, I thought, hadn't ever effected the way I have lived, what I have achieved or what I have taken part in.

"I have always been extroverted to some degree, confident and somewhat overpowering sometimes, probably due to my size." 

My weight even at 22 stones never stopped me playing my favourite sport, table tennis, even recently playing up to national league level.

In fact now I've lost weight I have retired from this sport to undertake alternative pastimes.

Whilst I was losing weight, 'some' thought I was miserable because I wasn't my 'old' self. That was me just being disciplined in what I ate or drank.

"Since my dramatic change a lot of people who I have known for a very long time haven't even recognised me." 

It’s been fun quite a lot of the time. Most people’s reactions have been favourable. There are always those few who just don't see any positives in anything, mainly jealousy I believe, so I just ignore them.

My whole life is now different. I cycle to work every day - a round trip of 14 miles.

I eat healthily every day. Even those at work accept the way I am now, and bring me in fruit when it’s their time to buy the doughnuts 'cause its their birthday.

People see me as fit not fat. It takes some getting used to.

Motivation to Diet

It all started with my doctor in December 2005. I had a slight breathing problem due to a chest infection.

He pointed out that if he had 20kg of bricks in a rucksack on his back all day, he'd be out of breath too. He then proceeded to enlighten me to my New Year’s Resolution for January 2006. It goes as follows:-

'When you're singing Auld Lang Syne at midnight with a pint of beer in each hand, what is you're New Year's Resolution going to be?'

I told him enough was said. He only needed to tell me once.

From that appointment in December I was determined to lose weight as from January 1st 2006.

Discovering Weight Loss Resources

I spent a week or so thinking about how I was going to do what I needed to. I knew I could do the exercise side of things as I had been active all my life.

However, the calorie counting came about by research on the web, looking at different diets and ideas.

"In the end my mathematical and logical brain took on the idea of counting what goes in and counting energy spent." 

It seemed the perfect way to solve my weight problem. WLR came about by a simple search for a calorie counter on the web.

How Weight Loss Resources Helps

From the very first day it was obvious that the only way I was going to be able to carry on eating was to change the type of food I had previously been subjecting my body to.

First to go was the alcohol, not just some of it, but all of it! I took no alcohol at all from January 1st 2006.

Secondly, it didn't take long to work out that pastry, sausages, packaged foods and treats were going to put me over my calorie quota before I got out of bed. So in came cereal, fresh veg and fruit.

"My weight loss was electric, it tumbled off and kept going."

The daily log is also good for seeing how good exercise is, as it gives you that added extra to munch if you feel like it.

In my early days though I didn't do such a thing. I kept to a strict calorie intake in conjunction with advice from my GP.

Now I am down to weight and maintaining it is an invaluable tool for keeping an eye on things.

The Best of Weight Loss Resources

I always use the food diary, in fact I'd have been lost without it.

I became and am still addicted to it, healthier I think than being addicted to food though.

The message boards are a good idea and I have used them on occasion.

However, they can seem to be full of messages from people making excuses why they haven't lost weight, or stuck to their calories. So I haven't really paid too much attention.

Dean's Calorie Counting Tips

First of all the site won't cure your weight problem and believe me it is a problem.

It is not until you're back to 'normal' so to speak that you realise what a mess you were, and I was.

I was fat, unfit, downright unhealthy, a walking time bomb for a heart attack, even though I was active.

WLR is a 'tool' and it has shown me what I was eating and exercising then… and what I am eating and exercising now.

"It has helped me keep me on the straight and narrow. It shows you what is true, you are what you eat!"

I think foremost you need self-discipline. Without it you cannot achieve anything at all, because no one can do it for you.

Also the support of your closest ally, be it you're husband / wife or best friend. It will make all the difference.

Lastly, you need to get fit. If you exercise, your metabolism rises making it easier to shed those pounds and stay there!

"I started by ditching the car and cycling to work every day, rain, sun, snow."

I for one intend to stay with the same body measurements I have now. I lost 15 inches from my waist, 10 inches from my chest, similar with my hips. I don't intend to go back.

My weight has been stable for a couple of months now and I am finding it relatively easy to hold it there. My fitness level is that of when I was eighteen. Again I intend to keep it that way.