For this Blog I am very excited because I am doing something a little different … for me anyway! I get to interview the awesome Mr Dibs, member of the brilliant space rock band Hawkwind, who has agreed to share his weight-loss story. I hope you find it hugely inspirational and motivating …. It has been for me!
I first became aware of Mr Dibs’ weight loss when he posted before and now photos of himself on social media. It started up an immediate flow of comments from people asking how he had achieved such an amazing transformation. People were clearly identifying with him and appreciative of his weight loss and like me people wanted to know more about how he had achieved such remarkable results. As soon as I saw the words” Cambridge Diet” I was all eyes, given that I had begun to the struggle with maintaining sole source at the time. So here comes the honest and raw interview quite obviously given from his heart.
(Photo courtesy of Simon Wood and may not be reproduced without seeking his permission)
So Mr Dibs, when did your weight start to become a problem?
It was when I was diagnosed with temporal lobe epilepsy but at the same time finding out my sister had Non-Hodgkins lymphoma around 12 years ago. It sent me into a depression which I later discovered to be Bi-Polar… Almost all the medication for these conditions has “massive weight gain” as a possible side effect and that I would say was the main trigger.
What eating habits escalated your weight gain and how long did it take to reach your heaviest weight?
I guess comfort eating and late night eating and alcohol consumption were the main culprits. I don’t really know how long it took to gain all the weight; it was possibly over quite a few years. I know by 2010 I was near 23 stone, but was telling people “oh, I’ve always been big” to justify how big I was.
What foods or drink did you find difficult to resist eating?
Oh that would have to be beers, chocolate and anything fatty like crisps.
How did you feel when you were at your heaviest?
Well, I didn’t really realise at the time that I was so big because I was depressed anyway. Looking back though, I had low self esteem and I was probably in such a deep state of denial about the weight that nothing really entered my head like that and so I can’t say how I truly felt about it.
What was the catalyst and defining moment for realising that you needed to lose weight?
I had been advised by friends for a long time that I needed to lose weight, but as I said before, denial was very strong and I didn’t see it. I was using a walking stick for quite a while and blaming arthritis in my knees for that. My performance on stage with the band was suffering because I was breathlessness and I was unable to do a show without using my inhalers. My singing and all round stamina was pretty damaged I have to say. So it was a combination of things that made me realise I had to do something.
Why did you choose to follow the Cambridge Diet plan to lose weight and which step did you start with?
I had tried the gym at some point, but the progress was very slow, and the attitude of the other people attending was patronising and unsupportive which put me off. My girlfriend had been on the Cambridge Diet and had been trying to persuade me for a long time to try it. I initially dismissed it as a fad diet and the denial was still there that anything was wrong so it took a while for me to accept I needed to do something. I had to start the Cambridge Diet on step 4 because of my medical conditions, and then down to step 3 over four to six weeks, then on to step 2.
What was the most difficult part for you when starting the Cambridge Diet?
I found it relatively easy once I had made my mind up to do the diet after my initial consultation. But I was losing anyway having given up bread and significantly lowering my alcohol intake. I found cheese was probably the biggest miss though. I did feel very hungry and tired at first, but it helped the transition a lot starting on step 4 going down to 2.
What have you lost so far and how long has it taken?
I have lost nearly five stone so far since August 20th 2012 up until now 24th May. That is a period of about 9 months. It slowed down a lot after I had a two week break over Christmas/New year and then it took a while to get back on it properly again. This was because I had a virus which caused some fluid retention and it was also discovered that having extensive tattoo work done slows the process of weight loss down due to the body fighting off the “ink invasion”.
How do you feel following your current weight loss?
I am much healthier and happier and I feel as though everything has improved. I noticed within a few weeks how much less I was using my inhalers and I hardly ever use them now. I have less knee pain. I’m so much more confident which has improved my stage persona and remarkably my singing voice and range has improved dramatically.
What support has your Cambridge Diet Consultant given you?
He’s been absolutely fantastic, especially when the process slowed or if I gained one week. He encouraged me to be honest when Id “cheated and not done quite so well as I had hoped.
How do you cope with hunger pangs or cravings for your favourite ‘bad’ foods?
I will go for something low calorie or have an extra CD product. I may also go for something within the allowed food groups but more recently I also allow myself the treat of something “off map”.
Weight maintenance longer term requires some change in lifestyle to keep the weight off and to break old habits. Have you changed your lifestyle?
My alcohol consumption has decreased dramatically plus I’ve cut out junk foods and processed foods. I had generally eaten quite healthy foods just way way too much of them. I really think cutting bread and alcohol have been key factors in breaking old habits and if I have a little bit of bread now, I feel bloated and ill…. that will definitely stay cut out.
How much more weight do you want to lose?
My last weigh in was 15st 9lb and I want to get down to 13st.
Do you intend to stay on the Cambridge Diet plan?
Yes, to help maintain the target weight, but I will take the advice of my consultant once that is achieved.
What motivational tips or advice could you give to someone just starting out on the Cambridge Diet to help them stick at it?
Keep strong and stay focused. It is very very hard work, especially when, like me, you have been on it a long time and the loss has slowed. Don’t be disheartened by that, as you do have good weeks and bad weeks. The weight will fly off at first but you do find a level after a while that becomes a smaller but steady loss.
Have you developed a taste for healthier food now or do you struggle to avoid your old favourites?
Well I always tried to eat healthily anyway, but I have developed an acute sense of calorific intake and I check everything I eat now…it is amazing how many calories are in some foods that you just wouldn’t expect!
Have you got a motivational goal in life linked with weight loss?
Longevity, simple as that! Had I carried on the way I was going I could easily have had my first heart attack by now. When I look back at photographs from last year, I just think how good I look now compared to then, and how much healthier and happier I am.
What is the best thing to you personally about losing so much weight?
Health and happiness! I was growing old before my time; dying inside and out but I just didn’t realise it despite some good friends telling me for years!!! Now I am so glad I did this, I would advise anyone with a weight problem to check it out and do something about it sooner rather than later.
I want to thank Mr Dibs sincerely for sharing his story because he truly is an inspiration to me and I hope he will be to you. It is not easy to lose weight when you have a lot to lose. The weight loss journey feels lonely, arduous and never-ending, but remember weight gain does not happen overnight and like Mr Dibs and myself it creeps on over some time. It is therefore so important to remember that it will take time to lose it too and it’s great to hear that he is still focussed and committed to his journey back to health. Anyone on a weight loss journey needs to know it can be done and to find comfort in the knowledge that they are not alone, so I hope you find yourself spurred on and motivated by Mr Dib’s story.
