September 05 2006

 

Dave Koch

Country: Melbourne, Australia
Age: 30 years old
Weight before diet: over 473 pounds
Weight now: 338 pounds
Target weight: 190-220 pounds

Severe health problems caused by extreme obesity pushed Dave, who lives in Australia, to his decision to lose weight. And since he started doing the Atkins Low Carb program, not only has he realized significant weight loss, he has changed his dietary preferences too. His determination to become healthier makes it easy for him to say "no!" to junk food now.

-What finally made you decide to start with a weight loss program?
I have been on many programs in the past. Basically I was suffering terribly from massive obesity: severe edema in legs, severe sleep apnoea, hyperinsulinism, and all the rest of the bad things that come with being so big.

-What type of weight loss program are you following?
I follow the Atkins Low Carb Program, and try to eat as close to nature as I can.

-Why did you choose this weight loss program?
Because in the end, all the other programs were getting harder to do. The bigger I got, the more that insulin and blood sugar was a problem. This is the only program that corrected my blood sugar, and therefore completely killed my hunger. I read a lot about the actual science and it made so much sense to me.

-How long have you been on your weight loss program?
Since 25th July 2005, so over a year now.

-What kinds of physical activities do you like doing to help you lose weight and stay fit?
I did no exercise to lose weight. Now the reason was that I could barely walk when I started. Now that I have lost some weight I have started walking. I plan to lift weights as well. I see the value in exercise as more of a health issue, and less of a weight issue. How it assists with weight control is simply a side benefit.

-What were the most difficult obstacles you had to overcome or are still overcoming?
Well life was so difficult for me prior, so I was living the difficulties. But in terms of implementing the program - it was the dietary mental change in regards to carbohydrates. I was taught that low calorie and low fat was the only way to health. I had to get my mind around the fact that this was not correct. The world I live in is still crazy with junk food as well. We in the western world live amongst people that eat anything and everything. Trying to do any diet in the western world is very difficult because it's so contrary to our junk food/processed food culture.

-How do you keep yourself motivated?
I post on online forums and on my blog. Being in touch with people via the Internet is my chief form of motivation and support.

-Do you have any weight loss tips for our readers?

*What you put in your mouth is the most important thing when it comes to weight loss.
*Don't simply look at calories. Look at how the food makes you feel.
*When you are going on to a low carb diet regime, remember that there will be at least 4 weeks of detox.
*Like the drug addict, you are going to go through physical withdrawal symptoms.
*In terms of weight loss - reduce your carbs as much as possible, but also try not to overeat.
*Don't obsess about making mistakes. It's a journey, not a destination.

-Do you think it will be easy to fall back into your old lifestyle pattern? How do you prevent this from happening?
No, not now. I had radically changed the way I approach food, hunger and health. I have read so much science now, that unless I lose all my memories, I cannot switch off that knowledge. It's like in the movie: The Matrix - once you take that pill and wake up from the collective delusion, you make a permanent change in your conscious focus in life.

What will prevent me going back to junk food? The fact that junk food and carbs make me hungry. I don't want to starve again.

-Do you have a favorite Web site or blog that helps or inspires you to lose weight?
I have my own blog now and this keeps me focused:
Low Carb Dave

I have also started a support forum for Australians on a low carb diet:
Aus Low Carb: Australian Low Carbohydrate Lifestyle

A big motivator is Jimmy Moore's blog:
Livin' La Vida Low-Carb

For followers of the Atkins Diet you can't beat:
Atkins Diet Bulletin Board

For Australians who are into fitness:
Free Online Health: The Biggest Loser!