‘I’VE LOST 28KG AND I FEEL FANTASTIC!’
RESEARCH SUGGESTS THAT YOUR WEIGHT WILL BE AFFECTED BY THE PEOPLE AROUND YOU. ROBERT KUYLER PROVES THE POINT – HIS WIFE’S WEIGHT LOSS PROMPTED HIM TO FOLLOW HER LEAD.
Robert Kuyler can’t stop smiling
AS TOLD TO TIFFANY DONSON
‘Over the past couple of years, my wife lost weight progressively just by eating more healthily. I started to feel like a whale next to her! I woke up one morning and thought, “Right, let’s do this.”
I keep telling people that I’m not on a diet, because that’s something you do for a couple of months. I wanted to make a permanent change to a healthier lifestyle.
Potatoes, breads and sugar were the main ingredients I cut out of my diet. I also try to avoid less obvious sources of sugar, like sauces.
I have to admit that it was difficult to adjust to a diet without carbs or sugar, but the moment I made the decision, I was committed. I just went cold turkey and avoided temptation. I had a goal in mind and I knew that if I allowed myself to give in, it would set me back. I think it all comes down to pure willpower.
My biggest challenge was when I went out with friends, especially if I was the only one looking for the healthier option on the menu and the person next to me was having a massive breakfast with
ABOVE ROBERT AND HIS WIFE SHEREE (SECOND FROM LEFT) AS BEST MAN AND MAID OF HONOUR AT A FRIEND’S WEDDING.
everything on it! I refused to cheat, though.
I have never felt that it was necessary for me to starve myself. I always eat a full portion. If I get hungry as the day progresses, I grab a handful of almonds from my desk drawer, or a Granny Smith apple. I eat a delicious salad for lunch, or soup or a stir-fry without rice during winter. For dinner, it’s just meat and vegetables. My breakfast, lunch and supper during the week are always the same, but on Thursday nights my wife and I eat sushi. I guess that’s the one time we have a “cheat meal”, as some of it contains rice.
I really enjoy salads now. You can make awesome salads that are tastier than a lot of sandwiches – so don’t see it as punishment! Try one of my favourites, on the left.
Although I cut sugar out of my diet, I can’t let go of 100% fruit juice; I feel that at least it’s better than drinking other unhealthy stuff. I have started to eat 85% dark chocolate and even that tastes a lot sweeter since removing sugar from my diet.
I’ve lost 28kg and I feel fantastic. I can’t stop smiling. I can truly say that I feel fitter and more energised since I started my weight loss journey. It’s nice when people congratulate you on your success, but my main motivation is my wellbeing. I firmly believe that I lost all this weight because of my new diet. Exercising just helped to speed up the process. It took less time to lose weight than I’d expected – people who don’t see me often think I’m sick! But I’m happy with the way I look; all I focus on now is maintaining my current weight.
If you want to lose weight, just do it. Don’t try to think yourself out of it. I know a weekly cheat day works for some people, but I feel it makes it more difficult to stick to your new lifestyle and it takes longer for you to see results. Just go cold turkey and commit yourself fully to the challenge. It’s not as bad as it sounds.
‘I am happy with the way I look now and all I focus on is maintaining my current weight.’