Catherine Matthews

Picture the scene, you are sitting in the doctor’s waiting room after a routine check up when he informs you that you have developed diabetes which could have been avoided if you had lost some of the excess weight you are carrying.

Michael was determined to prevent this situation so as soon as his GP confirmed that his BMI was putting him at a serious risk of suffering from obesity related complications he knew he had to lose weight and that failure was simply out of the question.

Michael is a gentleman who knows his own mind, he wanted to maintain the flexibility and decision making power over his food choices. As a result he decided the Totals plan was the ideal option for him. He could keep a close eye on his calories and nutritional intake while still being able to eat what he wanted.

"“Now I can walk further without running out of steam. My blood pressure, which is monitored regularly, has dropped over fifteen per cent during the past 20 weeks."

“Initially I followed the Healthy eating plan but found the lack of choice restricting. Within a matter of days I changed to the Totals plan. Totals suited me perfectly, I can eat foods I enjoy whilst monitoring the calories/totals implications of each choice.”

Michael’s diet was dismal before joining the plan; the types of foods he favoured should carry hazard lights for people in the precarious health situation he was in.

“I love all the wrong things including chocolate, fried foods, white sauces, cream and full fat cheddar cheese.”

Although he still likes these foods he has the self control to restrict his intake and eat them as a rare treat now.

On registering he weighed 203 lbs, after just 5 months he was an astonishing 2 stone 10 lbs lighter and had a healthy BMI of 22.5.

Although he is currently in the maintenance phase of his plan Michael is determined to continue using the Nutrition Totaller to ensure he continues to focus on eating healthily.

In addition to finding the Nutrition Totaller a very useful tool he also enjoys the online meetings held weekly by a team of nutritionists and fitness experts.

Since having a health scare some years ago Michael has walked regularly and tried to keep fit. Due to the extra pounds he was carrying the regular exercise he needed became increasingly difficult to achieve.

“I felt like the extra weight I was lugging around was slowing me down in all areas of my life.”

He kept up the exercise regime throughout the diet but it became easier to carry out as he lost weight.

“I have been a regular walker for the past 10 years. I continued this exercise during the diet, walking between 10 and 15 miles per week.”

Not only has his physical fitness experienced a rejuvenation but Michael has also noticed a vast improvement in his health.

“Now I can walk further without running out of steam. My blood pressure, which is monitored regularly, has dropped over fifteen per cent during the past 20 weeks. I am delighted with the weight loss I have achieved and the prospect of an increased life expectancy.”

Finally Michael has a few tips for those considering the Totals plan.

“Weigh everything you eat accurately and record it all in the Nutrition Totaller. As far as I am concerned, eating a sensible mix of foods in rigidly controlled portions is the key to success.”