Having lost a fantastic 32.3kg since the start of the Second Chance Challenge, 39-year-old Craig Debono is reaping the rewards physically, mentally and emotionally.
Overcoming the hurdles
Looking back, Craig puts his battle with food down to psychological reasons and realises now just how much his emotions ruled what he used to eat. So, how did he manage to overcome this huge hurdle?
Craig says, “It was not as difficult as I thought it was going to be. Once I firmly decided that I wouldn’t get a better opportunity to really get to grips with food than with the Second Chance Challenge, that was enough for me.”
Craig now has control over his portion sizes and he is much more conscious of eating good-quality food, rather than focusing on quantity. Craig explains, “I really reigned in my portion sizes to start to get control of things. Before, I used to grab a double burger daily. What I used to eat in one meal, I now consume in a day!”
Click to enlarge photos
Craig before
Craig and Jodie
Fancy dress
Gym bunnies
Working out
Post workout
Craig after
Craig at Finale
Craig
Gaining control
It was through The Biggest Loser Club Meal Replacement Program that Craig was able to gain control of his eating habits. "I really like the Double Choc and Choc Mint Shakes. In fact, a few people at my work have been inspired to lose weight and I recommended that they try the Meal Replacement Program."
Craig also reveals that he relied on The Club website to control his calorie intake. “My whole mindset has changed. Instead of mindlessly eating, I find myself looking at how much it would be in calories via the online diary."
Watching food wasn’t Craig’s only answer. He says, “I have been exercising like crazy, and while this took a bit of time to get used to, it was like my body eventually remembered what it is like to exercise. When I was in the army I used run 2.4km in just over 12 minutes. I’m now only just off this time, which is really fantastic.”
Doing it together
As a member of the Second Chance Challenge, Craig lost weight as a couple and his chosen Challenge partner was his fiancée Jodie.
“Jodie has been inspirational at every stage of this journey, especially when I was struggling. We are now both happier and have more self-confidence. I am also getting help to get past my self-esteem issues. I want to become comfortable with who I am so that the weight doesn’t go back on and compound all the negative feelings I had about myself."
Healthy results
As well as improved self-confidence, Craig has also seen the health benefits of his weight loss. Craig says, “At the weight I was, I was a stroke waiting to happen. High blood pressure runs in my family – my mum has had a number of minor strokes and her mum also had a major stroke.”
However Craig’s doctor is happy to report that his blood pressure is now virtually normal and he hopes Craig will soon be able to stop taking the anti-hypertensive medication that he has been on for the last 18 months.
Despite all this progress, the road doesn’t end here for Craig. “The Second Chance Challenge may be over, but my own journey continues. I have lost over 32kg, but I have more to lose.” With the weight-loss tools and know-how Craig has developed by following the Meal Replacement Program, we know he can reach his ultimate goal.