Featured in the Toowoomba Chronicle.
Toowoomba man Ted Bremner loved the beach, but for the past 20 years he has been too embarrassed to go.
However, Mr Bremner, 65, now has a new lease on life, dropping from 122kg at his heaviest to recently getting to his goal weight of 80kg.
He was determined not to be another statistic with Obesity Australia reporting one third of all Australians will become obese by 2025.
After trying everything from yo-yo dieting and working out to lose weight, Mr Bremner underwent bariatric surgery in May last year and has since been able to keep off the weight as a gym regular and with improved nutrition.
“Ever since surgery I have felt on top of the world,” Mr Bremner said.
“I go to the gym all the time and do all the things I haven’t had the confidence to do for over 20 years.
“I couldn’t wait to get on a plane and for the seatbelt to fit the whole way around me. I could actually put the tray table down – I haven’t fitted comfortably on a plane for a long time, it was an absolutely fantastic feeling.”
It was Mr Bremner’s ability to return confidently to the beach that he said had been one of the most rewarding parts of his new life.
Mr Bremner is a panel beater by trade and lived a sedentary lifestyle.
“I would spend my days sitting in the office managing my business and would wind down in front of the television at night. I was very inactive,” he said.
“Since surgery I have completely modified my lifestyle and diet – I joined my local Jetts gym and eat all the same foods as I used to, just in much smaller portions.”
Mr Bremner suffered from Type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol and high blood pressure but thanks to his new lifestyle he no longer suffers from them.
He said he was the happiest he had been in 20 years and while the surgery was worth it, it was no walk in the park, requiring exercise and changing drinking and eating habits to see long-term benefits.
“I now know that I’ll be around to see my grandchildren grow and that’s the most rewarding part of this whole process.”
See the original article here: http://www.thechronicle.com.au/news/toowoomba-man-drops-40kg-in-health-journey/3127157/