"I Was Dying"

That's how 41 year old father Brian Taylor describes his life when he joined a 12 month weight loss program at the Wesley Weight Management Clinic five years ago.

It's hard to believe that Brian "was dying" because he has been a picture of health and vitality for four years. But it's only hard to believe until you see photos of him before he joined the Clinic. Brian weighed 160kg, was sleep deprived and in constant discomfort from lugging around so much weight,

"I was heading towards my death bed: I'd say I only had another couple of years left in me," Brian says matter-of-factly. "I could only sleep sitting up in a reclining chair, I had sleep apnoea and had to use a machine to keep me breathing and the sheer weight of fat caused reflux, incredible back problems and a hiatus hernia,"

"I'd drag myself home from work and be asleep in the chair by 4.30pm. My wife would wake me up for dinner then I would have a very restless night's 'sleep'."

Brian's life was literally closing in around him and his greatest fear became that he wouldn't see his two and a half year old son, Jack, grow up.

He had tried "two diets a year" and they had not worked. He drowned his disappointment at the weekends in a bottle of Scotch and "filled up on hamburgers" and got steadily larger.

At work, his long time friend and codirector of his electrical firm, Marty also feared for his life. Marty joined the chorus of people urging him to do something about his weight.             

Exhausted, depressed and defeated he went to Wesley Weight Management's Milton Clinic. He had a BMI of 50 and skyrocketing cholesterol and triglycerides: two indicators of high risk of heart disease.

"I felt the task was too big but the health professionals at the Wesley said "we do it in steps" and suggested I lose 25kg at first."

Once Brian had the weight loss momentum going, the task became smaller as his energy and motivation levels increased.

"Before long I'd lost 10kg, then 20... and within 12 months I had lost an incredible 57kgs!

"At first the exercise was hard but the Dietitian said "just walk to the letterbox and back". So I did. The next day I walked a bit further, and little by little I extended it.

"It's the understanding and support you get at Wesley Weight Management that's so important. They help you overcome the obstacles."

Brian says he is now a new man. His weekends are not spent "nursing a hangover in front of the television" and he is no longer "vaguely" aware that hamburgers and chips are not ideal nutrition. Instead he runs 5km a day and he and his son Jack tend a large vegetable garden where they grow fantastic salads and even keep chooks,

"I learnt about protein and carbohydrates, how to eat and how my metabolism works. With that knowledge I became in control.

"Now I can't find enough things to do, running is like a new mode of transport for me and I'm getting to see my neighbourhood. I've taken up new hobbies.

"My cholesterol has fallen massively from over 8 to below 4, my triglycerides which were up around 4 are now 0.6 and my resting heart rate has dropped from 90 to 40", he says with pride.

Not surprisingly, Brian's friends and family are staggered and delighted. He says he has inspired a lot of people who were once very blase about their lifestyle with his new body and new found knowledge.

"I feel like a member of society now. I can walk down the street and not wonder what people are saying about me."

For more information about Wesley Weight Management Clinic's medically supervised weight loss program or to book your obligation-free initial assessment with one of our Dietitians, call 1800 567 348 or complete our online enquiry form.