A wake-up call when his beloved dad had a nasty health scare spurred David Butt into weight-loss action. Motivated by the desire for a healthier and more active lifestyle, David, along with wife Eve and daughter Latisha, is a force to be reckoned with. He shares his journey...
Update 1
Saturday
D Day. Off to a smashing start. Gave up free rum after work, exchanged it for water. Not a choice I would normally make. Woke up and sidestepped my usual Macca’s breakfast and had a caffe latte shake. Also not my normal choice, but my normal choices are the reason I am doing this! Changes need to happen, we need to embrace them and make them our new choices and new ways.
Sunday
Well, finished doing security at the Commercial Hotel at 3am. Once again, sidestepped the free after-work drinks and consumed water. Found this really hard. Giving something up you like that is free on hand is hard. Great support from the guys.
Monday
I found today tough, finding the willpower to stop myself from just eating. The Biggest Loser Club Meal Replacements taste better than I expected.
After a hard weekend and working today, I found it hard to get the motivation to go to the gym. The hardest part is getting up and getting ready. Once there it’s OK. Maybe I should just leave something at the gym each day. That way, I will have to go back tomorrow to get it, then work out while I’m there.
Tuesday
Well, this morning I was stiff and sore from the aqua and squash last night. Had a shake for breakfast and a cup of tea. I am still shocked on how good The Biggest Loser Club food is, no aftertaste at all. Had another shake for lunch and a Commando bar. I resisted hunger today and ate an apple. Once again, something I would never have done before as I don’t – well, let me say I didn’t eat much fruit at all, if any.
Aqua tonight. Didn’t want to go again, but with the support of my wife we got there and worked out for 50 minutes. I am sure somewhere down the track I will feel better for it, lol.
Wednesday
Walked up and down the 5 flights of stairs at work today twice. Five flights = 150 stairs each way. Went to the gym and played squash straight after tea. For some reason I found it really hard and was exhausted after 10 minutes but continued to play for 40 minutes in total with a 2 minute break. The best news is I had to take my belt in by one notch today – now that’s great news.
Update 2
Saturday
Well, another day gone. I didn't give drinking water a second thought today. I never liked drinking it before, especially when I'm out and about. Well, until now.
Weigh-in day and I lost 6.4kg of fat. That’s 13,550g of margarine. And what a great feeling, it really gives me strength to continue on towards my new life.
Had a game of squash and this time I was able to play a little longer and harder.
Sunday
Checked my blood pressure tonight, and WOW! The machine normally reads 150/110. Tonight it read 114/74. I had to check it twice. Bring on the good times ahead.
Monday
Well, had another shake for breakfast and mixed a banana and some ice in the blender as a banana smoothie. These shakes really do taste nice. I did aqua again tonight. It's getting easier to go to the gym now. I really feel motivated to exercise harder after losing 6.4kg last week. I know I will plateau down the track, but that’s OK.
Tuesday
Another day down, and one step closer to a healthier life. I didn't feel too flash this morning when I got out of bed so I stayed home from work. By lunchtime I felt quite good so I went to the gym and played squash for 90 minutes straight. My body felt like it was going to self-destruct on the court, but an hour afterwards I felt amazing and full of energy again. I think I am starting to enjoy exercising.
Thursday
Had a bad day as I had to go to a funeral. Felt depressed. Instead of eating I played squash for 60 minutes. After my grilled fish and boiled vegies (no potatoes) for dinner, I did aqua for 45 minutes.
Friday
Started the day off with a Biggest Loser Club caffe latte shake and a cup of tea. Walked up 3 flights of stairs when I got to work. I felt a little peckish, so I grazed on hardboiled eggs, butter, then the lollies I used to graze on, which is part of the reason I am here. I started work at the Mersh at 9.00pm doing security and drank water instead of soft drinks. And when I finished at 3.00am I left straightaway so as not to be tempted by the alcohol. Did good, I think :)
Saturday
Weigh-in day. Well, I was disappointed when I weighed in and I had only lost 2.6 kg. I busted my boiler this week and was hoping for more. Made me feel like, ‘why bother with it all?’. I have had this feeling before, but what is different this time is how I accept this and deal with it. It's a crossroad, that’s all, and each dieter has been there before. So, instead of giving up this time, I am just thinking about the new healthier Dave that’s waiting around the corner. Chin up, and ready to plough through the 3rd week.
Update 3
Sunday
Rest day – walked around at work last night for nearly six hours.
We went for a drive out to Westbury to Andy’s on-site bakery – it was so tempting to break out and have a pie and a gelato. But I braced myself and only bought water – quite impressed with myself really! Had some grilled barramundi and vegies for lunch and for tea. I’ve embraced this change: full steam ahead now.
Monday
Had a Biggest Loser Club banana shake for breakfast. Love it! I walked up all five flights of stairs this morning at work.
Played squash tonight for 45 minutes and then did Aqua for another 45.
I’ve moved in another notch on my belt – great feeling. Makes the hard work seem worthwhile.
Tuesday
Big test tonight at work: they’re putting on a barbecue. I’ll have to keep clear of it all. It’s called willpower, and strangely enough, I’ve found I have plenty of it since my life-changing move. And I love it.
Wednesday
Tough day today. Avoided the stairs at work and took the lift, as I had no energy. At lunchtime I had an attack of guilt and decided to walk down all five flights and back up three flights. Then, after work, I ran down all five flights. It’s not like me to get the guilts over anything, let alone exercise – what the heck’s happening to me?!
Thursday
I’m surprising myself every day with the exercise that I’m doing and wanting to do. And not only can I eat the Meal Replacements (which taste great), I can make the well-balanced meals on the website. Awesome changes. Loving it.
Friday
I don’t feel as if I gave it everything this week – damn near everything, but not quite.
Each day I seem to have more and more energy and feel better inside. Over the past three weeks, I’ve gone in a total of three notches on my belt, and I’m happy about that. Tomorrow is weigh-in. Unsure of what to expect.
Saturday
Played squash for 80 minutes today as well. The Club website and the exercise tool are great – they give me a run-down of what exercise burns the most calories in one session.
Just finished work at 3am and I feel hungry. I could have a Commando bar, but I’ll wait till morning.
Update 4
Sunday
Had a change this morning – I looked on the Biggest Loser website and noticed that a hotdog wasn’t that bad for me… It probably wasn’t a good start to the day, but it tasted great. If this is a break-out from my program, it’s a damn good one.
I’m expecting to put in a huge exercise effort this week and want to burn a heap of fat (= weight). So bring on Week 4.
Monday
After work I played squash again for 70 minutes. I play squash because it burns a lot of calories in a short time, according to The Biggest Loser Club.
I feel better after losing 11.6 kilos, and am at the stage where I don’t really miss my old ways, just some of the things in my old ways.
Wednesday
I noticed that my belt was a little looser than normal again. I’ve already taken the belt in three notches and am closing in on the fourth. Each day I seem to have a little more energy to burn – it’s a good feeling. Hard work, but good.
Thursday
Today was a low day. I don’t feel as if my body has changed or as if I have lost any weight this week. I did play squash for 70 minutes, though, and found that I had more energy throughout and even after the game.
I swear, if I haven’t lost any weight this week, I will up the ante next week and go to gym before and after work. Well, I’ll try, anyway.
Friday
Well, the day started off great: The Biggest Loser Club training shirts arrived! But I ordered a 7XL, and a size 4X turned up. I thought, ‘Here we go again.’ Whenever I’ve played sport they could never get a shirt to fit, so I had to miss out. But to my shock it fit, and fit well! I was very happy. I wore it to gym tonight and I played squash for 80 minutes.
We went out for tea tonight. It was the first meal I’ve eaten out since starting and I was a little afraid, but I ordered a lamb kebab and steamed vegies. I would never have eaten steamed vegies before this, but now I really enjoy them. Bring on Week 5!
Saturday
It was weigh-in today. I lost 2.1 kg this week – that makes a total of 13.7 kilos in four weeks. Just proves that if I can do it, anyone can!
I have heaps more energy than I’ve had in a long time. I’m also not sweating as much.
This message was sent to me today, and it made me feel great, so I thought I would share it:
"Hey man, how’s things going? Didn’t get a chance to buy the mag, so thought I’d check up and see how things are going. And I just wanted to tell you, you are an inspiration, mate! Got me thinking ’bout my weight, health and fitness too. Hope all’s going well."
Update 5
Sunday
We went out for lunch today again: I ordered roast chicken without the baked potatoes but with steamed vegies on the side. I peeled back the skin and any fat on the chicken, too. Before, I would have eaten the whole lot. Even after such a short time, I’m more aware of what to eat and what’s good and what’s bad. And I have an idea of how to burn the bad food off, if I ever need to. The Biggest Loser Club gives me a run-down of what calories are in what foods and even advises what sports and exercises burn what calories. This is awesome, because even after I lose my weight and stop the replacement foods, I’ll have an idea of how to eat properly.
Monday
I played squash tonight for an hour against my brother-in-law. He’s a lot fitter and smaller than me and three months ago he whooped the floor with me. Now I’ve been exercising, I managed to whoop the floor with him! A great feeling! If only we all played a sport that we enjoyed – it’s a way of working out without even thinking about it. The secret is finding an exercise you like.
Tuesday
I started the day off with another caffe latte UHT shake. I love these, because there’s nothing to getting breakfast ready and – the best part – no dishes to wash.
Had a PT session and did a circuit. Also did some exercises with a large fitball, which was good, because I can do these at home in my spare time.
I like vegies now – I never used to. At one stage I called them a waste of space, because I could fit more junk food in where the vegies were. But that’s how I got to where I am today, so the change is great. Change in mind, change in body – bring it on.
Wednesday
I wore a shirt today that I haven’t been able to wear before. That felt good. It’s the small things like this that I’m starting to notice – like I can reach parts of my body that I haven’t reached in a while!
Thursday
A change in mind equals a change in body, so bring on the changes.
I put on an old pair of jeans that now fit – that was a good feeling – and went shopping at lunch and bought two new shirts. They were still size 7XL, but a size and make that I could never fit into before – another great feeling!
Friday
Up early for a 6am flight to Sydney for weigh-in and measurements. I didn’t eat or drink until I was weighed and measured at about 11am. I could have eaten a horse and then the jockey! Had a great day meeting the other families again.
Saturday
Posted a picture of my opponent on the squash wall, to remind me that I have to kick his ass!
My work shirts feel as if they’re getting too big.
Update 6
Monday
The family went for a drive to my parents’ place for lunch. Before our change in mindset, we would have stopped at the Cottage Bakery at Scottsdale – their pasties are just divine. We still found it hard not to stop. But we didn’t weaken. The bottom line for me is, I’ve worked hard over the past five weeks for my loss of 15.2kg. I’m not spoiling it now.
Tuesday
When Craig, the boss, turned up for work, he was wearing sneakers and a sports shirt, not his normal business attire. He walked up to me and said, ‘Come on,’ and we walked down the front stairs, back up all five flights, then straight through the hallway to the rear stairs, all the way down five flights and straight back up. Neither of us let on it was a struggle or gave up (I wish he had!).
After working a 10-hour day, I went to the Theogenes gym and played squash for 90 minutes straight. The old Dave would have said, ‘No, I had a long day at work and so I won’t exercise.’ Every day I had a different excuse. Not now. Things are different.
Wednesday
On the way to work I got the paper and a That’s Life! magazine. We were on page three of the Examiner and page 36 of That’s Life!
I’ve embraced the exercise and am starting to cut down my food portions. Should have a bumper week with weight loss.
Thursday
I started the day differently today. I looked at The Biggest Loser Club website and the calorie counter and decided to test myself, now that we’re in Week 6. So I had two hard-boiled eggs for breakfast and again for lunch, then for tea I had two pieces of barramundi and a cup of tea.
I have a lot more energy now after losing 15kg. Even public toilets are no longer a problem! Before losing the weight it was difficult to use a public toilet, unless it was a disabled toilet.
Saturday
Weigh-in day. I was hoping to lose more than last week, as I really stepped it up this week. When I stepped onto the scales I was happy and relieved to see that I’d lost 2.3kg. I don’t think I can possibly up the ante any more than I have!
Update 7
Sunday
Rest day. After all the exercise over the last few weeks, my knees and feet are aching badly, so today I’ll watch the calorie intake and have a rest.
I’ve noticed that my clothes are getting a little bigger on me; people at work have commented that they can see I’ve lost weight. It makes me feel good, and that all the hard work is worth it, not only for my health but for my self-esteem.
Because I work late and different hours, the Commando Bars are great for a healthy snack.
Monday
A guy stopped me in the street to have a chat about his weight-loss journey, and we agreed that once you change your mindset it gets easier. We also agreed that it’s easier to break one habit at a time – small steps, then a fast walk, and then we can run.
Tuesday
More good news: I took the belt in another notch today! My next goal will be to buy smaller jeans.
The boss sat next to me today and ate a potato pie. It smelt good – damn good. But I didn’t weaken. The goal of losing weight outweighs the desire to eat junk food.
Wednesday
I had a huge day today. I started the day with my usual Biggest Loser Club caffe latte UHT shake, but didn’t take the stairs in the morning. I had a banana shake for lunch and, as I can get a free meal at work when I have an early start, grilled fish and vegies. It was hard to knock back my old favourite the surf and turf with rump steak, but I was proud of myself.
Friday
Today I walked up five flights of stairs and played 90 minutes of squash. I really enjoy going to Theogenes gym now, and when I don’t go I feel guilty.
I’m hoping to have lost at least 2.6kg tomorrow. If I do, I’ll have lost 20-plus kilos.
Saturday
It’s a rest day today.
My belt now buckles a total of five notches less than it used to. I’ve just weighed in and I lost 2.7kg this week – that’s a total loss of 20.1kg in seven weeks!
My secret is simple: if you find an exercise that you enjoy, it’s not like exercising! So try to find something that you enjoy.
Update 8
Sunday
I swapped my normal Sunday meal with family for a Biggest Loser Club UHT caffe latte drink and a gym session at Theogenes with extended family – Raz and Rob.
Later, we went to Bunnings and there was a sausage sizzle on, so we had a sausage in bread with onion. But we asked the people to roll the sausages in paper towel to get rid of any extra fat. Making this life change, now we understand that we can live a normal life and eat properly, but in moderation. My motto all through this is “Change in mind equals change in body.” Now that I can see the change in body, I’m feeling great.
Monday
I’m in another notch on the belt today – I think that’s five in total so far. I love that I have more room to move in a normal-sized toilet. I still don’t think I’d be comfortable in the toilet on a plane – not yet – but I don‘t need the extender-strap for the seatbelts anymore, so that’s good.
Tuesday
My shirts are now looking like dresses – someone else’s words, not mine – and my jeans are really baggy now. And I’ll lose more weight, as I have a new mindset. Fat doesn’t care if you’re ill or healthy, rich or poor: if you don’t watch what you eat and how you exercise it’ll get you. But if it does, all’s not lost: you can just take one step at a time in the right direction until you defeat it. And once you change your mindset, you can beat it forever.
Wednesday
Didn’t feel that good this morning when I woke up – a boil has formed on my face near my lip. I made a doctor’s appointment and stayed home from work.
I went to play squash at Theogenes gym in the evening, and to my surprise I could hardly move. I’ll battle through. I kept remembering that I’d made years of excuses about why I couldn’t train, and that the Butt family are in a competition with two other families. I don’t want to be the weakest link!
Friday
I’ve taken the belt in on my jeans a total of seven notches – great feeling, I must say. I had to wear my hooded jacket all day though, as I really felt the cold. I’m losing my natural fat blanket! LOL
I played squash tonight for two hours. It felt awesome to get back into it again and be able to give it 100 per cent. Loved it.
Saturday
Weigh-in day today. I was hoping for a good loss, as I’ve been ill all week, and the scales were good to me – I lost 1.5kg! That makes a loss of 21.6kg over the past seven weeks. I find that standing for hours doing security is easier now; I feel lighter on my feet and have heaps more energy than I had before. In general I’m feeling good and am looking forward to being even lighter.
I’m going to try and step it up again this coming week. It’s easier than I thought to fit exercise into my work schedule.
Update 9
Sunday
I was woken up at 10am by the phone. It was my squash partner Rob – I was supposed to meet him at Theogenes at 10am! So I jumped out of bed and got dressed and was ready as he turned up. We went and played squash for two hours, but I had no energy today. I’d worked till 3am and didn’t get to bed till 4am.
We’ve got visitors down from Queensland at the moment and they felt like a barbecue. But instead of throwing on heaps of steak and sausages and cooking chips on the barbie, we had seafood. Just goes to show we can still enjoy life and eat well.
Monday
Wow, woke up feeling like a million dollars today!
After work I played two hours of squash, and really put the hard yards in. Bring on the rest of the week!
Tuesday
I played two hours of squash tonight and gave it everything again. I was drenched with sweat. If I can get to 130kg by the end of this challenge, then I’ll start to bulk up and continue to lose weight as well.
Wednesday
Well, Temptation Day today at work. Bring it on, so I can show them all how far I’ve come. When I got to work, the boss had brought in some maltesers, smarties and even flake chocolate and a turkish delight. Yes, those are my favourite chocolates, but I didn't weaken.
At lunchtime, Craig brought around a cottage pie and some pavlova with cream and raspberries. But all these things are part of the reason I was in the state of health that I was in: I’ve moved on and will never go back. In short, today was Temptation Day and I passed. I’ve changed in mind and in body now.
Thursday
Another day and yet another Biggest Loser Club caffe latte UHT milk drink for breakfast. Damn they’re good, and no dishes. Did the stairs at work again.
When I got home, my beautiful wife made me a salad. I don’t normally eat salads, but then again, what I used to eat is the reason I’m in this situation. It tasted so good, I had two goes at it.
Saturday
It doesn’t really matter what the scales read, as I know I gave it everything I had this week. The truth will come out at the final weigh-in in Sydney. Besides, I feel great and have so much more energy than I’ve had in years. That is the prize that money can’t buy, and so I’ll continue to lose weight.
Update 10
Sunday
Went to Scottsdale and looked at some properties with my parents. We stopped at the steakhouse and had a skinny cappuccino: Mum and Dad had a pastie and a salad sandwich on white bread, but Eve and I ate nothing. It shows that we’ve come a long way since the start! I didn’t even buy anything for the road-trip home!
Tuesday
Guess what I had for brekkie. That’s right, I had a Biggest Loser Club caffe latte UHT milk drink.
After work I went to Theogenes gym and had a PT session, then came home and had a chicken salad.
People at work have been commenting on how my shirts now look like dresses – not normally something I would like, but it means I’ve lost weight so I’m loving it.
Wednesday
After work I went and played squash with DJ for an hour and went for a walk on the treadmill. The walk on the treadmill was for only 15 minutes, but then I played squash for 90 minutes against Rob, my brother-in-law.
People at work were saying things again today about my shirts and how I now look like I’m wearing a dress. I’ll have to buy some more clothes.
Thursday
I over-extended my knee again and had trouble moving my leg. It’s the second time in two weeks I’ve done this, and it has hampered my exercise program but it hasn’t stopped me.
Friday
When we got to Hobart we went out for tea at an all-you-can-eat Chinese restaurant. I showed great composure and didn’t eat any of the deep-fried food – I had steamed food and a serve of beef in black bean sauce.
I had to go to Kmart and buy a new belt, as my pants kept falling down. My friends in Hobart just couldn’t believe how much weight we’d lost, and they were gobsmacked – made me feel great!
Saturday
I tried on a size 97 pair of jeans and they fit nice. I reckon I could have even squeezed into a size 92 – a great feeling being down from a size 117!
Had a busy night at work. My cousin Chrissie came to the door and didn’t recognise me – that was a good feeling! Two people in two days gobsmacked on the weight loss. It sure makes all the work worth it!
Update 11
Sunday
I had a bad week this week as I over-extended my knee and couldn’t train as hard as I wanted. The last 10 weeks have seen me change the way that I live and eat – the Biggest Loser Club program has shown me how to eat healthily and the correct way to keep the weight off. If I can do this, anyone can.
Monday
While we were playing squash, I slipped over and smacked the wall – wasn’t very pretty. I spent two hours at the hospital only to be told that if my foot still aches in three days I should come back and get an X-ray. The doctor doesn’t realise that I have to kick ass in this competition! How am I supposed to kick ass with one foot? This won't stop me, it will just change the way I train. Bring it on.
Tuesday
Hold everything – I didn’t have a caffe latte UHT shake for breakfast today, I had a mint-choc shake. It was a nice change too.
My foot wasn’t in any shape to play squash with Rob or my son DJ, but with the painkillers it was okay to play with Tish, my daughter.
Wednesday
The boss told me to work only half a day so I went to Theogenes. I swam for 30 minutes – it was the first time in years that I felt okay about swimming with my shirt off!
I played squash for two and a half hours as well. Changed my shirt three times because I was drenched with sweat. It was good.
Thursday
I’ve changed the way I do the meals this week: I’m doing the shake for breakfast, my main meal for lunch and a shake for tea.
Well, everything is getting easier now. I’m that much more flexible and when I look down I can actually see what I’ve been missing for years. LOL
Friday
I finished at my day job at 4pm and went straight to Theogenes; my brother-in-law Rob met me there and we played squash for two hours solid.
I’m very careful what I drink on the eve of weigh-in – I only had half a bottle of water.
Saturday
We went to Bunnings this morning and got caught up in the aroma of the sausage sizzle. Eve and I discussed the calories – we worked out that a Biggest Loser Club UHT shake is about 210 calories. A thin sausage is about 100 calories, a slice of white bread is about 90 calories, and with onion and barbecue sauce it would be about 20 calories more than a shake. So we agreed to have one each and asked the people to roll the sausage in paper towel to get rid of the excess fat, which they did happily for us. It was hard to stop at just one but that’s what we did – very proud of ourselves.
Latest update
Sunday
Finished work at 3.15am and then headed off to Penguin for the Relay for Life. I walked 5.8km, and as I’d had no sleep I was beat. I slept most of the afternoon – recharging the battery ready for the week ahead.
Monday
My clothes are getting bigger on me now; my shirts are starting to look like skirts, so everyone says. But I looked in the mirror today at Theogenes and I still look big. I was a little disappointed – I thought I’d look slimmer after losing 27kg. (The only mirror we have at home is a shaving mirror. We didn’t feel comfortable having mirrors in the house.)
The problem with weight loss is that everyone, including myself, expects to look different overnight. When it doesn’t happen we get discouraged. That’s when we have to realise that the weight didn’t go on overnight, so it won’t come off overnight. Then the weight-loss journey gets easier.
Tuesday
Not feeling too good today, and stayed home from work.
I went to Theogenes and sat in the sauna for 35 minutes. I felt good after that – well, better, I should say.
Wednesday
I’ve moved 10 notches on my belt and in the right direction!
Thursday
I went to Theogenes gym and played squash with the wife and daughter. I even spent 25 minutes sweating in the sauna – man, that thing really gets the fluids flowing from your body! After the sauna I dried off and didn’t have to worry about cramping up. I suffered from severe cramps before I lost the weight. I’d cramp up just putting my shoes on or sitting on the toilet. Cramp for some reason was an enemy of mine. But since losing the weight, so far so good.
Saturday
Weigh-in day. I was hoping for 3kg today, so that I’d have lost 30kg in 11 weeks. I got on the scales and I was so pumped when the scales read 130.4kg! Yes! I’ve achieved 30kg in 11 weeks!
I didn’t finish work until 3am this morning, so I’m having a rest day. I thought hard about this, as the week coming up is the final week of the challenge, but I didn't want to change anything from previous weeks. The family will continue to lose weight using the tools on the Biggest Loser Club website. It’s a fool’s guide to weight loss.