What are your weight-control goals?

I would like to get to a weight between 85 and 90 kilos by my birthday in January 2009, if possible; if not then at least to 100 kgs.

What is your motivation for losing weight?

My motivation is to improve my life after a long time of grief, having lost my wife four years ago. I let myself go completely, ate the wrong foods and drank a bit too much alcohol. One day in July I saw an editorial in the local newspaper. There was a choir forming in my area. I have always enjoyed singing, so I decided to have a look. I enjoyed it so much that it turned my life around. From there I improved my eating habits and exercised more. I think that living on my own is boring, and I'm now looking for a new partner in life. For that to happen I feel I need to look more respectable - not like I am 9 months pregnant.

What is your weight-loss method?

With exercise, I try and do 20 minutes about one to one-and-a-half hours after my meal. I spend the 20 minutes on a treadmill, as it's on at a constant speed. When I tried just walking in the street, the speed varied due to traffic or other reasons. I then do a few press-ups, which I introduced slowly for the first few weeks. Over time I increase the amount that I do. I am now doing 40 press-ups three times a day.

What obstacles have you encountered while losing weight?

The main obstacles with the exercises are when I have to go out, either shopping or for choir. As for my eating habits, I now leave the cakes alone and have a sandwich for supper at social events.

I order what I think is the lowest calorie dish on the menu at restaurants. When they come around with the sweets menu, I ask for a fruit salad. Being on a pension makes it hard to buy some foods when I'm out for the day. I try to look for a Subway meal or even the Tick McDonald's meals; I get a wrap or chicken with a lot of salad in it. I stay away from the Big Macs.

What tips do you have for others who are trying to lose weight?

Set yourself a goal, and don't let it dishearten you if you don't reach it. This happened to me a few times, but the following week you may get a surprise when you hit the scales. I have set my goals high and I know I won't reach them on the specified date, but I keep trying. If you don't have it now purchase the CalorieKing Software; it is a great self-esteem booster as it tells me during the day that I have reached certain levels in my food breakdown.

How do you feel now that you're achieving success?

I feel really great, a few weeks ago I saw my dietitian (as I have diabetes) and she could not believe the difference in me. I was able to give her print outs on my eating habits and weight loss from CalorieKing Australia. My doctor also noticed the great improvement in my health.

The best I have left to last. I use Messenger to chat to my family, and a few weeks ago I changed the photo of me that appears at the top. My daughter said to me, "Dad, how old is that photo you have on show." I told her it is the latest one of me, she then said, "Wow! Dad! You have certainly lost some weight." Now that made me feel on top of the world!

How have the products or services offered by CalorieKing.com.au helped you to lose weight?

CalorieKing Australia's products have helped me a lot. I am sure that without them I would be struggling. Sometimes I crave an icecream or a piece of chocolate. After I eat it I enter it into the CalorieKing Food and Exercise Diary. I then know there is something I have to omit the rest of the day or watch out for the following day to fix my sins. The graphs on the software are printable, so you can show your health professional or personal trainer, if you have them. They can then give you further advice to manage your goals.