Dan Torbiak
Winnipeg, 55
Pounds dropped: 65
My turning point: I was 43 years old, 5 foot 9, 230 pounds in 2001. I didn't have the energy to play with my kids. I had warning signs – diagnoses of sleep apnea and elevated blood sugar. I had dieted before. Once, I lost 35 pounds, but gained 70 the next year while on a "maintenance" plan. After that yo-yo result, I was terrified to diet again. One afternoon, my company arranged for a nutritionist to speak at a conference. She talked about common eating problems, and something clicked: I had them all. I took notes for two hours and it changed my life.
My method: I wanted a tried and true method – no fad diets. Based on the nutritionist's advice, I started to follow Canada's Food Guide. The guide helped me correct my portion sizes and showed me what I should eat more of. I also started eating five to six small meals throughout the day. I avoid "white" foods (visible fat, enriched flour, added salt and sugar). I carry "portable" foods in my briefcase (fruits, nuts, cheese), so I'm not left hungry between meals. After three weeks, I had learned great new habits and unlearned most of the bad ones.
I found that if I could eat well only 80 per cent of the time, that was enough to lose weight and keep it off, just like the nutritionist said.
I lost 65 pounds over six months. Today, 12 years later, I eat the same way and still weigh my goal weight of 165 pounds.
During the six months and before reaching my goal weight, I did cardio three or four times a week: mindless stationary bike riding. After I hit my goal weight, I started reading about the importance of strength training. (I learned how important muscle is, especially as we get older.) Today, I work out five days a week: strength training on three days, cardio on two days.
The workouts are medium-strenuous, and last only about 50 minutes each. The strength training is all about large muscle groups – squats, lunges, presses, rows. The cardio is cycling, rowing and speed walking. I love the variety: it keeps me focused and avoids injury. Each week, I take two days off from formal exercise. But I walk or cycle everywhere I can, and I've made it a rule to take the stairs if I'm going up 15 or fewer floors.
My kryptonite: Nutella. My wife hides it. I find it and sneak a few crackers' worth per month. But it's good for you, right?
This interview has been condensed and edited.
Tell us how you lost it at tgam.ca/weightloss
Amberly McAteer