The Gazette Newspaper Article

Go public or go home is one man's winning motto

JUNE THOMPSON, The Gazette - March 4, 2008

For John Couto, simply telling family and friends he needed to lose 150 pounds wasn't enough. Taking his cue from a book he was reading - Body for Life - he felt that in order to succeed it was important for him to be accountable to as many people as possible.

So the 44-year-old father of three created his own website, announcing to the world his intention. "I wanted to tell as many people as I could because if I didn't then the only person I would let down was myself," he explained. Couto, like many people with a fair amount of weight to lose, was an overweight child who struggled with weight from an early age."I was always the overweight kid who was picked on," he told me in conversation last week. "Kids can be so cruel. And I'll do everything in my power to prevent it from happening to my kids."

In adulthood, even though his weight continued to creep up, he managed to keep active by running, something he loves to do. But that all changed when he damaged the meniscus in one knee and then the other."I was on the couch and not able to do anything," Couto said. "That's when I really began to put the weight on." In January, his weight had reached a high of 342 pounds and he knew the time had come to do something about it. So Couto, who works in technical support for a media distribution company, created his own website replete with his weight graphs, photographs and what he call his Fat Man's Diary. Couto is a big believer in the power of online support groups. He's been a member of a couple of them and finds it to be an incredibly useful tool. "I think it's beneficial to be in touch with others who are waging the same battle as you." He's been getting a lot of support from coworkers and friends, which only strengthens his belief in going public. His wife, too, has been very supportive of his weight-loss goals and has been helping by preparing healthy meals and snacks. Couto is going by the "everything in moderation" plan, focusing on fruits, vegetables and lean protein. "I eliminate junk six days a week, but on Sundays, I have whatever it is I want," he said. "I think if you go crazy and cut everything you love from your diet, then it just backfires in the end." He should know. In 1994, he lost a lot of weight - and has the photos on his website to prove it - only to regain it all and then some. "All because I was basically starving myself, depriving myself," he said. These days if he does opt for fast food instead of eating his usual two burgers and fries he'll go for a salad instead. As for exercise, now that his knees are better (thanks to surgery), he's back on the treadmill, six days a week, 30 minutes at a time. "I walk for one minute then run for a minute," he added. And he lifts weights and uses a punching bag in his garage. "A great stress buster," he laughed. Couto is happy with the results so far. He's down 25 pounds. "My son told me he could get his arms around me easier now when he hugs me," he laughed. And he admits to feeling a whole lot better. "Exercise really does give you more energy," he enthused. "I've even been out playing hockey with my kids instead of lazing around watching TV. It's great."

We'll check in with him in a few months to see how he's doing and in the interim wish him the best of luck. To check out his website, go to www.thebiggestcanadianloser.com.
jthompson@thegazette.canwest.com