Nathan: Hi, I’m Nathan from the DVCC and I’m here with Richard today. I’m just going to be asking Richard a few questions to hopefully get an insight into how he’s got such great results at the DVCC, and speak about any difficulties that he might have had, as I’m sure there are literally thousands of people who will find this interview very beneficial to listen to.
So Richard, if you could please introduce yourself, and how long have you been at the DVCC?
Richard: Hi there Nathan, I’m Richard Short; I joined the DVCC back in – well, it was Valentine’s Day this year, 2015, 14th February.
Nathan: And it was a present, wasn’t it, coming to join the DVCC?
Richard: Yes it was actually; it was a Valentine’s present from my wife.
Nathan: Did it feel like a present at the time, you were a little bit nervous weren’t you?
Richard: Yes I was; my wife had actually been to the DVCC over Christmas and she enjoyed it and felt that I could benefit from it. I wasn’t so sure – I knew I needed to get fitter but from what I’d heard about it, I wasn’t so sure that the DVCC, I would be able to cope with it!
Nathan: And what results have you achieved in the time you’ve been at the DVCC, Richard?
Richard: Well I’ve been really surprised and amazed – I’ve *lost over a *stone in body fat, which I think is phenomenal. So yes, they’ve been actually startling, the results.
Nathan: Yes, you’ve done very well; 17lbs in body fat *loss, which is awesome.
What were your struggles with weight loss before the DVCC, if you had any?
Richard: Well, it was the usual things really, lack of exercise really and poor lifestyle; I used to eat the wrong foods at the wrong times. My particular weakness was things just before bedtime, chocolates and sweets and things, snacking.
Nathan: Have you tried to *lose weight before the DVCC, and how did it go if you did?
Richard: I did, not very successfully. My previous thing was, I’ve never been good at diets; if anything, in the past, my better way of *losing weight was always to exercise.
Nathan: Ok, that’s understandable. Have you ever *lost weight using nutrition and exercise, or has it always been one – you said it was mainly exercise, so I suppose you’ve just answered that?
Richard: Mainly exercise – I’ve never really dieted – it’s a man thing, isn’t it? Women are sort of into diets but I’ve never really tried dieting per se.
Nathan: Ok. What does your lifestyle look like now compared to before the DVCC, how has your lifestyle changed?
Richard: A lot better. I’m not saying – I do make the occasional slip up, but overall I’m eating much healthier, I’m trying to keep onto the MDS as much as I possibly can.
Nathan: Good – and how do you feel the DVCC has helped you?
Richard: I think it’s helped me, both in terms of obviously the weight *loss, not only that but also it’s made me happier, a positive attitude. I’ve found it, throughout all aspects of my *life; I find myself getting up in the morning with a renewed vigour really.
Nathan: Awesome, I’m glad to hear that you’ve made that change.
Do you have any specific tips, with nutrition or exercise, which you could share with anyone who’s listening who might be trying to *lose weight at this point in time?
Richard: I would say, the DVCC obviously is great; try to make as many of the sessions as you can; try not to come up with excuses. Nutrition wise, follow the tips in the brochure that you’re given by the group, but also follow the Facebook tips; I’ve found some of those quite useful. Things like Lewis’s tip for if you’re feeling tempted by that bit of chocolate, think it through, the benefits you’re going to get from it, and the amount of time you think about it beforehand, when you’re actually eating it and then the guilt you feel afterwards. That one kept me going for a few weeks.
Nathan: Good, good. Any final words?
Richard: Yes, thanks a lot to the guys and, if you’re thinking about doing the DVCC, then good luck to you too.
Nathan: Awesome. Richard, thank you very much for your time today. I hope you found this interview useful if you’re listening to it, and again I’d like to thank you for your time. This is Nathan from the DVCC in Milton Keynes, have a great day.
