Definitely a 'good times type' of guy, the loves of his life (his wife and his motorbike) and not being about to fit into his leathers drove Brian Donovan to trim down and take control of his health.
No two work days are alike for Sydney-based, self-employed handyman Brian, whose physically demanding and varied job sees him down drains and up ladders. Yet, Brian’s weight was beginning to slow him down.
Brian explains, “Running my own handyman business takes up a lot of my time but being out of breath after just climbing to the top of a ladder made me realise I wanted to do something about it; I didn’t want to stay this out of shape any longer. The extra kilos had just crept up on me and before I knew it, I was beginning to struggle.”
Growing older healthily
Apart from wife Sue the other love of Brian's life is his motorbike. He is a member of the Ulysses Motorcycle Club (whose motto is ‘Grow Old Disgracefully’) and admits that his leathers becoming uncomfortably tight were another ‘push’ for him to take action.
“Having a busy social life didn't help in the weight department, what with ‘bring a plate’ functions. All in all, it was food, drink, drink, food all the time! Good times were definitely a major reason for me being in the shape I was in. I used to drink quite a bit of beer, too, and that probably didn't help my waist region a lot!
“Reaching the age 50 was another reason to revitalise my life; I realised that I needed to look after myself if I wanted a healthier and happier future.”
Brian had lost a few kilos two years earlier when he had returned to see family and friends in Wales. While on holidays, he walked every day so he knew that was where he should, or could, start. But, Brian didn't know what sort of eating plan to work with it.
Click to enlarge photos
Brian before
Brian after
Enter The Biggest Loser Club
Brian says, “Learning about The Biggest Loser Club came at the right time for me. I felt that this could well be the right thing for me and my wife, Sue, who joined, too. So, it was partly to help her and partly for my own sake – it was something we did for both or our futures, really.”
For extra support, Brian ‘buddy-ed up’ with a fellow Clubbie, Catherine. The two would spur each other on, be there through the inevitable downs and congratulate each other on achievements, no matter how big or small, either face to face, via phone calls, SMS or email.
Having learned the principles of healthy eating, Brian learned the importance of moderating his energy intake. He says, “My big problem wasn't what I was eating really, it was the amount I was eating and the fact that I was not eating regularly. So, during the typical day, I would have breakfast and then work all day without eating. When I came home for dinner, you won’t be surprised to know that I would be so hungry that I would eat and eat and eat until I felt full, much too full.”
Yet I eat so much more, now
“Using the ideas from The Biggest Loser Club (I really loved filling out the daily online diary and following the exercise tips). I learned how important it was to eat throughout the day, starting with a good breakfast. I made sure I ate three or four snacks of fruit during the day, too.
“Lunch would be a pre-packed meal that I brought from home and I would eat a good dinner at night. So, although I seemed to be eating quite often during the day, I was choosing (and still am choosing) the best, healthiest choices. Now, I never let myself get so hungry that I have to ‘stuff myself silly’ when I get home either.”
And, it worked!
“The great thing about this way of eating is that it is flexible; you can learn so much and then adapt everything you learn and make up your own plan if you wish so that it fits into your own personal lifestyle. Working with a buddy also helped me stay focussed and motivated.
“Eating better combined with a walk every morning and a small weight session in the evening before my shower, I have dropped 12.4kg (from nearly 90kg to 77kg) and at the moment, I am a kilo under my goal weight of 78kg which was my target when I started to use The Biggest Loser Club. Before I joined The Club, I wore a large size top and was heading for size 36-inch waist jeans. Recently, I bought myself some new medium size tops and a pair of size 32-inch waist jeans – they’re more than comfortable and I still need a belt (hooray!)”
Is it a case of the ‘green-eyed monster’?
Most people (including wife Sue who is also seeing her own successes) have been really supportive through Brian’s journey. That’s most – but not all. Brian explains, “I get occasional comments from people that aren’t quite as positive as I would have expected. These are things like: ‘You didn't need to lose weight!’ or ‘Don't lose any more!’ These kinds of statements have been a bit surprising to me, but I have learned to shake them off, really. I think that when you look at me, what you see now is the way I should look.
“I never want to go back to the round-faced beer-gutted Brian that people got used to seeing and I got used to being. As that person, I know that I was headed down the road to poor health and misery. So, I would say to anyone who is in the same position not to hesitate. Do it now, do it while you can. Change your lifestyle and improve the way you eat and you will feel so much younger, happier and fitter. It makes such a big difference to be healthier and not be overweight any longer; I don't know why I didn't do it years ago. I know, too, that you’ve heard this before and it might sound like a bit of a cliché, but this really is exactly the way I used to think when I heard people saying things like this myself. I have made these changes and if I can do it, you can do it too; once you get started, you will know what I mean.
"I would like to thank The Biggest Loser Club for giving me the chance to get back into shape. Thanks, too, to my wife Sue, for understanding why I needed to do it for myself, and to my buddy, Catherine, for being there through all my aches, pains, moans and groans. I now have the chance to look forward to a longer and healthier life.”
And, perhaps best of all for Brian, he can now get back into his leathers and go for a ride in total comfort!