101.2kg Weight Lost – William's Weigh-Less Success Story
“Weigh-Less saved my life.”
Facts and Figures
Height: 1.7m
Weight then: 204.8kg
Weight now: 103kg
Goal Weight: 88kg
Weight loss: 101.2kg
The Beginning of the End
For as long as I can remember I have always had an above-average appetite. My earliest memories of overeating date back to primary school. Every morning my mother would pack me a large lunch, however, before the school day had even begun, I would have eaten every last snack in my lunch box. My father used to have a restaurant right next to our school that sold the most delicious, but unhealthy fast foods. So, when break time came I would go over to the restaurant and grab an oily plate of fish and ‘slap’ chips covered in vinegar and of course lots of salt!
Friends were always plentiful, partly I think because they got free food and partly because they were scared of me (I was really BIG). Either way, I never felt victimised because I would merely fight those who teased me. And so slowly, my weight worked in my favour, and I never felt the need to lose it – my fat was my friend, companion and defense against the world around me.
High school was no better. I was sent off to boarding school by my parents and although I no longer had the restaurant to lure me into temptation – the restaurant was merely replaced by the ‘Preparation Room’ (a kitchen). You see, at boarding school, we had to prepare our own meals. This of course meant that I could indulge in my favourite foods whenever I felt like it. Fried eggs, corned beef and atchar covered with rich and creamy mayonnaise were on the menu all day, every day! In addition to this, my friends and I would often treat ourselves to Russians and chips from the restaurant down the road. I always ate far more than my friends did – but I was never ashamed.
My weight really spiraled out of control when I reached university. Alcohol combined with rich food was a recipe for disaster, but I continued to eat, drink and be merry – never thinking of the ultimate consequences. I think I weighed about 160kg when I graduated.
A Downward Spiral
After university I started working for our family business as a manager. The more weight I gained the less mobile I became. People had to do things for me at work and for the first time ever my weight started affecting me emotionally. I hated the fact that I was unable to do things myself. But, instead of doing something constructive about it, I continued to do what I knew best – eat! And so, the more I ate, the better I felt and the heavier I became.
As a result, I developed high blood pressure and ulcers on my legs. The doctor said that my body was too heavy for my feet. I broke out in these dreadful sores that needed to be dressed day and night. Fortunately, my sister is a professional nurse, and she would change the dressings. At one stage I even had a gigantic hole in my leg, where an ulcer had once been. Some days I couldn't even walk. This, in particular, was a very low point in my life.
Furthermore, the bigger I became the more humiliating situations arose. Often people would feel it was their place to ‘save’ me and would tell me that I need to lose weight, however, instead of it being an encouragement, it would infuriate me. One particular day, I boarded a plane to Durban for business purposes and was confronted by the woman sitting next to me. As always, I had to ask for a seat belt extender, which in itself was embarrassing. It was then that this woman decided to talk about the health risks of being so grossly overweight. I was embarrassed, I was shocked and I was angry. I told her to ‘mind her own business’ and we were silent for the rest of the trip. I was shaken with emotion.
These encounters would often see me trying different diets that friends and families had found in magazines and got from other sources however none of them really worked.
At Death's Door
It wasn't until I landed up in hospital after my blood pressure went through the roof and I was having difficulty breathing that my doctor really lay down the law. He was honest and forthright and told me that my weight would eventually send me to an early death.
“I am an undertaker and I was beginning to bury more and more middle-aged people who had died from hypertension, heart attacks and strokes. I finally realised that this would be my ultimate fate, if I didn't make any drastic life changes.”
This was my ‘ah-ha’ moment. My doctor suggested that I try Weigh-Less and though skeptical in his rooms – it is this weight management programme that ultimately saved my life!
I was very nervous for my first Group meeting. But my Group Leader was extremely kind and compassionate and soon my nerves were put at ease. The greatest shock of my life came when I stepped on the scale for the first time – the scale didn't even register my weight! She quickly made a plan though and before I knew it I was standing on two scales and weighing-in at a shocking 204.8kg.
Tipping the Scales
Armed with my first Weigh-Less Filo and my first week's menu plan, I left the Group meeting more motivated than ever to lose weight. I was sure to follow the plan exactly and often phoned my Group Leader for advice and explanations. If I didn't know something, I asked – I could not risk failure on this journey – my life depended on it! And she humbly obliged each time, she encouraged and inspired me to reach goals never knew possible. I have always thought of myself as a strong-willed person; however, this journey specifically required maximum perseverance, determination and self control as I had over 100kg to lose.
My first week went surprisingly well and I was strict with my food choices. As a result, I lost 7.8kg! I could not believe my eyes when I stepped onto the scale for the first time after starting on the programme. I was ecstatic and from there I remained on the road to a healthier me. By my third week I could no longer fit into my trousers and shirts. The more weight I lost, the better I felt about myself. The first month saw me lose in excess of 20kg, a tenth of my original weight!
People even started asking if I was using machines to lose weight, I would laugh and tell them about Weigh-Less. Many even joined me, which was particularly nice as I could encourage them, the way my Group Leader encouraged me.
My family was also incredibly supportive, and my sisters never ceased praying for me. Slowly, my legs started healing and before I knew it I no longer had to take blood pressure medication. I was happy, truly happy for the first time in my life. In fact, I never realised how unhappy I was until I started on this journey.
Energised and Self-Sufficient
Before I embarked on the Weigh-Less weight management programme, I would have to take a nap after lunch, every day. I was always tired and my movements were slow. I was dependant on people for a lot of things, and this was soul destroying. However, as time passed and the weight fell off, I became more mobile. Soon I was doing things for myself; things like changing a light bulb and washing my car. I felt empowered like never before. I no longer need my afternoon siesta and am even able to work late into the evening.
“I have also joined the gym and consider myself a ‘gym addict’. I go to gym twice a day without fail and even play squash on a Wednesday. I love aerobic activities and I run and walk whenever I have the time. Exercise, like the Weigh-Less eating plan, has become a way of life for me.”
I am particularly strict with myself however I do crave junk food now and then especially when those around me are eating it. However, I quickly remind myself of how far I've come and the craving disappears.
Fashion Passion
When you get to the size I was, it becomes increasingly difficult to find clothing that fits. In fact, most stores don't keep the sizes I wore, so I had to shop at an expensive boutique shop that specialised in larger sizes. I also had many of my clothes made by a tailor. It has been so refreshing being able to enter any shop and find clothing – size is no longer an issue. To keep me inspired on my journey, I would also indulge in expensive, smaller clothes that would in turn motivate me to lose more weight. I never knew that fashion could be so fun!
Weight Loss Icon
I often get people in my community coming up to me asking how I lost all the weight and I was even featured in the local newspaper. It has been so wonderful to be able to help those who are also struggling with weight issues. My doctor, who is also very proud of me, frequently gives his overweight patients my number and I help them, encourage them and send them straight to Weigh-Less!
I have lost many friends on this journey as I no longer drink and eat as I used to; but instead, I have gained my life (plus like-minded friends who are happy and healthy)!
I am extremely grateful to my Group Leader for always being a call away and to Weigh-Less for a fantastic product. Whilst my commitment and dedication also played a role in me losing the weight, I must give credit to God – to whom I prayed each night to get me through this journey.
William's Top Tips for Weight-Loss Success
- Commit fully to the Eating Plan and follow it exactly.
- Ask questions and seek support from your Group Leader.
- Surround yourself with encouraging family and friends.
- Celebrate every milestone to stay motivated.
- Make exercise a way of life, not an afterthought.