From morbidly obese to activist for healthy lifestyles

From the age of 9, Dany Lessard consulted a nutritionist. His excess weight disrupted his childhood and eating disorders that marked his adolescence led him to a state of morbid obesity. At the worst time of his life, he weighed up to 350 pounds. In 2017, he took drastic measures and put in place habits that allow him today to maintain a stable weight around 175 pounds. Interview with a 35-year-old man who takes the promotion of healthy lifestyles to heart!

Tell us about your story with your weight gains and losses.

I started dieting when I was 9 years old. At the time, the nutritionist was teaching me to cut the fat in my diet. By cutting the fat, I fell into the sugar, it was not better! I literally became addicted to sugar. I was bullied at school and my relationship with food was already disrupted. My weight went up to 280 pounds as a teenager. I fell into depression at the age of 24. I then went on a liquid protein replacement diet, which was a disaster. After rapid weight loss, my weight came back up quickly and even peaked at 350 lbs. I suffered from binge eating disorder and had binge eating every day. I was very “all or nothing”, if I ate a food considered bad, my day was ruined.

What was the trigger for your commitment to sustainable weight loss?

When I saw a young actor have a heart attack, it was a revealing event for me. I was on the eve of my 30s and my health was already badly affected. I had cholesterol, sleep apnea and had been diagnosed with fatty liver. I absolutely had to change! My weight was no longer a question of aesthetics, but of health. At that time, I felt lost, reliable and accessible resources were scarce, I did not know what healthy lifestyle habits meant as I had been exposed to misinformation. One thing was certain, I no longer wanted to yo-yo with my weight. My doctor suggested bariatric surgery, but when I was informed that the waiting list was 3 years, I thought it was impossible for me to wait. My weight was constantly increasing and I had no quality of life, even washing myself was made difficult! So I decided to go private, even though I had to go into debt for the surgery, it was totally worth it. In less than a year, I lost 190 pounds. As I had paid for my surgery, failure was not an option.

How have you managed to maintain your weight since the surgery?

My weight went from 350 pounds to 160 pounds to stabilize around 175 pounds. I have spent a lot of time deepening my knowledge over the past 5 years. Three books have been of great help to me: Monday, I go on a diet, Kilo Zen and Stop eating your emotions. I read each book several times taking the time to do the practical exercises. I worked a lot on the psychological aspect and that was very helpful. I also became very athletic. I move every day between 30 minutes and 90 minutes. I do a lot of cycling, tennis, hiking and spinning in particular. I had to find a physical activity that I enjoy. Sport is not a chore, I love it!

What does your diet look like today?

If after the surgery I had to limit the quantity of food consumed, today I eat normally. I’m not on a diet and I don’t feel deprived. My diet is very much based on the Mediterranean lifestyle. I eat a lot of fish and seafood and I eat very little sugar, I have learned to appreciate plain yogurt which I eat with fresh fruit. I don’t drink my calories, I opt for 100% whole grain bread and I even eat chocolate often, but I choose a 90% cocoa chocolate. I read the ingredient lists a lot in order to make informed choices. My emotions no longer control my eating. Above all, I learned to respect my hunger and satiety signals, I am able to leave a few bites on the plate if I am no longer hungry.

You are now an ambassador of healthy lifestyles. Is it important for you to talk about prevention?

I care a lot. Moreover, I consult a lot of publications from the WHO and the Weight Coalition in particular. I have just completed a microprogram from Laval University on healthy lifestyles. I was a patient partner of Obesity Canada. I campaign to introduce classes in healthy lifestyles from childhood. We live in an obesogenic society and this must change for the future of our children. I am for the junk food tax, a great way to generate money that we could reinvest in prevention programs. My dream would be for the government to establish a policy on healthy lifestyles that would include the promotion of active transportation (why not subsidies for the purchase of sports equipment) and the implementation of a multidisciplinary approach for the prevention of ‘obesity.

What would you say to someone who is significantly overweight and doesn’t know where to start?

I would say to be careful with social networks, and not to follow people who affect our mental health. Also, look for reliable information. I have a lot of respect for the work of the D^D Julie St-Pierre, Bruny Surin and Sylvie Bernier. Sometimes we think it’s impossible to cross the river, but the problem is only that we don’t have the right boat! You have to equip yourself. If for me the readings brought me a lot, for others, it may be to consult health professionals.

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