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Footballer Duane piled on a few lbs after an op, but lost weight and found unlikely camaraderie with Gutless

“My name is Duane and I am 27 years old. I currently live with my partner (we’re applying for a mortgage on a house!) 

My job is a technical consultant for Capgemini, working on a Rolls-Royce military site which is office based, but since covid this is now a permanent WFH based job.

I had a knee operation last September (2021) which had stopped me from doing much physical activity, and I realised I was probably putting on weight…. then when I went to my GP for an unrelated appointment (about a blocked ear), I was told about BeeZee Bodies. I thought I’d give it a go and see what happens. I was basically just looking for an opportunity to get out in a group and do some activity, and maybe learn something new about weight loss.

Before my knee op I played a lot of football; training on a Monday, 5-a-side on a Thursday and a game on Saturday. Sometimes I go for walks with my partner at the weekend too. But my eating habits consisted of… pretty much whatever I wanted and whatever was easiest. I would rotate the same 10-15 meals every couple of weeks. Some would be fairly healthy like chicken, rice and some vegetables, others would be less healthy like a stuffed crust pizza with garlic bread! As for my portion sizes, they would vary quite a lot, some meals would be big and others not as big. I didn’t tend to snack much, but when I did it would usually be chocolate or biscuits.

One of the biggest changes I’ve made since being on the Gutless course is drinking a lot more water, and now I don’t feel as hungry throughout the day. I also focus more on my portion sizes, and pay a lot more attention to the traffic light system on food packaging and go for things with the most greens where possible! I have found a new healthy snack I enjoy too – rice cakes with peanut/almond butter and even throw on some raisins for a bit of fruity flavour.

My physical activity levels haven’t changed due to my injury, but I am now at 9 months post op and can soon go back to training which I’ve been looking forward to. Hopefully, this will boost the weight loss even more!

The best thing I learnt is that small changes will eventually add up. I never knew about this approach to weight loss, and probably wouldn’t have without Gutless. I would’ve stuck to the mainstream thinking of extreme dieting and intense exercise was the only way for it. But I feel I have achieved my goals.

I really liked Gutless due to the nature of the whole programme – it wasn’t in your face like most weight loss programmes seem to be. It was all at your own pace, and felt like it was there for you. The weekly sessions helped me realise it isn’t just me with these problems, even the guys running the programme have them and it’s okay. It’s so helpful seeing everyone in the same boat. I wouldn’t say I met any new friends, but not because the group wasn’t friendly – I felt 100% comfortable sharing my goals and what I went through each week, it’s just I don’t think there were many people there my age that I related to in that sense, but it was so helpful having the group support from other guys in the same boat and witnessing everyone’s challenges and progress. I felt that was a big part of the programme.”