Lee's Weight Loss Success Story

Lee, Age 49, Height 5ft 4in

Start Weight	13st 8lbs
Current Weight	9st 12lbs
Goal Weight	10st
Weight Lost	3st 10lbs
Time Taken	2½ years

About Lee

I work in an office sat on my backside most of the time. As soon as I finish work I go home and do my exercise.

I was on tablets to control cholesterol but I do not need to take then now.

I’m married and have two children who have left home (Wahoo).

"When the kids were at home, I asked them to support me and any food left on their plates was to be put in the bin and not left out as a temptation for me."

As I sit around on a computer for 8 hours a day most days I sometimes move but not much. I class myself as Sedentary. However if I need to speak to someone I try to walk and not use the phone.

What diets have you tried in the past?

Weight Watchers (WW) and Slimming World (SW).

Please comment on your experiences of trying these diets

Both are great for weight loss and both encourage you to get fit.

They cannot however, advise you on maintenance and fitness (exercise and nutrition). WW give you more points and SW say have more A+B extras.

Tell us how your weight has affected you

When I was overweight life was fine. I would eat what I wanted and when I want.

I only had alcohol at weekends but I would drink a bottle of whiskey and think nothing of it.

People have changed their attitude toward me now I’m fit and healthy. I never noticed but people actually tend to say hello now.

What has been your main motivation to lose weight?

When I was at my Mum’s house she has a full length mirror which we don’t.

"Well I saw myself and said ”Who ate all the pies”."

My dad died at 52 from heart attack, I looked just like him before he died and it made me think I only had a few years left if I kept going like I am.

Which tools and resources on WLR do you find most valuable?

Everything that passes my lips is added to my diary and all my exercise.

"I can keep my eye on my totals. If I’m up no treats if I’m down I’ll have a treat."

If I’m way down because I have been ‘’naughty’’ I will plan longer exercise to pay for it.

The Members forum is fantastic because there are people just like me out there who will always help.

If someone has not experienced something (which is rare) they will help find the solution. I’d be lost without it.

Why do you think WLR has helped you lose weight where other diets have failed?

Although I am still learning there is so much science out there. It’s the knowledge of reducing calories and eating healthy, coupled with physical exercise that has produced my new body. WW and SW cannot offer this.

Have you struggled at points in your weight loss journey? Experienced a weight loss plateau? What has kept you motivated?

Yes I have struggled at times with my weight loss. When I stopped going to WW I thought I could do it alone, I couldn’t.

I joined SW for myself but also to support my wife and we both lost weight. However as soon as I increased my physical exercise I seemed to put weight on.

"I like goals. I like to achieve things so I decided I have lost a couple of stone so I’m going to do a long endurance run."

I decided to run the Yorkshire Three Peaks - 25 mile over three high peaks.

Although I used an adapted marathon training plan I had no idea about nutrition. I ran and ran and ran and I ended up putting weight on.

I kept saying it’s ok to have that as I have just run 15 miles. Without logging it stuff crept back in.

Or I would not eat enough and my body hung onto what it had and what it was getting it stored. 

The same thing happened when I trained for the UK’s first Kilomathon  - 26.2 km marathon. Not understanding nutrition I put weight on.

Since losing weight can you give examples of how your life has changed?

I have far more energy zeal and get up and go. I even smile more.

"I now commute to work on my bike or even walk on a nice day. I walk upright as opposed to slouching."

I do not drink alcohol like I used to. I now have one if I fancy one; maybe a glass of red wine with a meal (that’s it) and shhh don’t tell anyone but I’m always touching my six pack because I can, after having a beer barrel for so long!

Exercise routines adopted

I run or cycle most nights. I couldn’t really afford a gym until a no frills gym opened close by.

I have joined that now and I’m just waiting for it to open. That will be handy when winter sets in.

Along with Geoff (vortex) and several friends from the WLR cyclist forum, I am in the process of planning a cycle endurance trip from Coast to coast (C2C) and back in 48 hours next year. Its about 220-ish miles!

Although not decided yet, this might be done for a charity, so any suggestions for a charity are welcome and you can keep up to date on the planning, dates, routes and any other details by checking the cyclist forum.

What do you love about your body now?

My waist line now I have one. My jeans are designed to fit 11 to 13 year olds. I bought a new blazer and had to get it from a school uniform shop.

The funny thing when I purchased it was the lady asked me what school badge I wanted. 

"I like how my body has changed. When I started in this weight loss endeavour I could just about walk to work and back."

Now, I’m pretty fit completing the Yorkshire three peaks as I mentioned earlier in 6 hours and 20 minutes and the 26.2 km in 2 hours.

Lee's hints and tips

Discipline. When it gets tough, work harder.

The quicker you get it into your head you just cannot eat and drink what you used to, the better. The amount of times I have maintained or put on trying to eat and drink what I wanted was so depressing; as soon as it fell into place I achieved my goal.

If I can do it, then anyone can do it.