At 61, Bruno wanted to lose weight for his health, his confidence and to feel more comfortable in himself.
Through LighterLife, he lost 22kg and reduced his waist from 40″ to 34″. But the biggest change wasn’t the number on the scales. It was learning that he could take control of the things that triggered him to overeat.
“I wanted to feel like myself again”
For Bruno, carrying extra weight was affecting everyday life.
Even tying his shoelaces had become more of an effort. He also knew that returning to cycling would be much easier without carrying an extra 22kg up hills.
Like many people, he had attempted to lose weight before.
“I’d lost weight before, but I didn’t keep it off”
Before joining LighterLife, Bruno had lost weight through cycling and a low-fat diet when he was 50.
“I didn’t keep it off, needless to say,” he says.
What attracted him to LighterLife was the quality of the Food Packs, the mindset-based approach, the group support and the simplicity of the plan.
His wife was already a well-established LighterLife aficionado, so he had seen first-hand what the programme could offer.
“I believed consistency would bring results”
The first week wasn’t without its challenges. Moving into ketosis and adopting a strict routine took adjustment, and increasing his hydration proved difficult at first.
However, once he settled into the programme, he began to notice positive changes. His energy levels became steady and his sleep patterns improved.
“There was no more slobbing out on the sofa in front of the TV,” he says. “I also gave up scrolling and TV became too boring to watch.”
Instead, he found himself looking for distractions and activities.
What kept him going was believing that consistency would bring results. Week by week, he could fit into smaller clothes and tighten his belt a little more. Those small changes reassured him that the programme was working.
One product became a particular favourite: Fruits of the Forest water flavouring. It took the boredom out of drinking three litres of water a day and made hydration much easier. His other favourites included Chai Latte and Vanilla shakes, and FastPot Porridge.
“The group helped me understand my triggers”
A key part of Bruno’s success was the support he received through his Mentor and CBT mindfulness group.
The sessions helped him identify the behaviours and situations that influenced his eating, including work stress, comfort eating, food addiction and not wanting to waste food.
He attended every session.
“The group was mutually supportive and gave me a focus each week,” he says.
The weekly weigh-in helped keep him accountable, while the Hot Topics discussions gave him the opportunity to share experiences and learn from one another.
His Mentor also played an important role, particularly when it came to transitioning and maintaining a positive group atmosphere.
“I felt we were all on the same journey and deserved mutual respect for our commitment to losing weight.”
“I feel lighter, fitter and more confident”
Since losing weight, Bruno says he feels “lighter, fitter and more confident”.
The changes have extended well beyond the scales.
He has become, in his own words, “a bit of a neat freak”, spending time decluttering and decorating his home. He is also more productive at work.
His piano playing has improved because he spends more time practising, and he has started jazz lessons. He is also planning dance classes in readiness for his daughter’s wedding next year.
Physically, he has improved his golf swing and intends to resume cycling, possibly even commuting to work to make exercise a seamless part of his routine.
His waist has reduced from 40″ to 34″, putting him back into the clothing size he wore more than 20 years ago. He now wears slim-fit shirts and suits and has cut four inches off his old belts. Buying nice flattering clothing, shoes and hats has been his reward and incentive to maintain his healthy diet and hydration habits. He feels more attractive and enjoys the complements.
Bruno’s advice: “Visualise the new you”
Bruno’s advice for anyone considering LighterLife is simple:
“Visualise the new ‘you’ you want to achieve. Be consistent and establish new routines.”
He also encourages people to be kind to themselves if things don’t go perfectly.
“You may slip, but don’t beat yourself up. Instead, take some constructive learning from mistakes and apply it to improving your behaviours and habits”
For Bruno, LighterLife provided more than weight loss. It gave him a clear structure and a better understanding of his eating behaviours to form better habits for life.
