Terry Starbuck didn’t run for the best part of 30 years before consulting The University of Queensland Nutrition and Dietetics Practice at Ipswich.
Now the 57-year-old is not only putting one foot in front of the other, but he has shed close to 70 kilograms.
“I first went to the UQ Ipswich clinic in 2012 when I was, quite frankly, rather fatalistic in my mindset,” Mr Starbuck said.
“At the first weigh-in I was almost 160 kilograms and the staff correctly diagnosed that I was very depressed.
“I had nobody to blame but myself. I just couldn’t be bothered with exercise.”
Fast forward to 2015, and Mr Starbuck is weighing 91.7kg (he has been as low as 89kg) and has kept his weight stable for the best part of two years.
His daily regimen includes walking or jogging for up to five hours and an additional hour of various exercises to keep his body toned and functioning.
While such rigorous exercise is not necessary, Mr Starbuck recognises that if he wants to treat himself to a generous portion of food, it must come with sacrifice.
“The staff at UQ put me on the straight and narrow with a nutrition plan and education about healthy habits,” Mr Starbuck said.
“I can run and walk for miles now and my knees are giving me far less bother.
“I can tell you I sent a very celebratory email to all those that had helped me when I first dipped below the 100 kilogram mark.”
Previously a resident of Basin Pocket and Coalfalls in the Ipswich district, Mr Starbuck now lives at Kallangur in Moreton Bay Regional Council to the north of Brisbane.
Regardless, he still travels back to Ipswich by train twice a week to volunteer for the Salvation Army, an activity that gives him an added sense of purpose and community.
The UQ Ipswich Nutrition and Dietetics Practice will host an open day on Saturday 15 August, from 10am to 3pm.
Aside from weight loss, dietary advice is available for managing diabetes, heart disease, gastrointestinal disorders, cancers, food allergies and intolerances, pregnancy and lactation, malnutrition and irritable bowel syndrome.
You can find the practice at the USQ Ipswich Campus, Level 1, Building H, 11 Salisbury Road, Ipswich.
Media: Mr Terry Starbuck +617 0449 501 034, terrystarbuck@gmail.com ; UQ Communications Caroline Day +617 3365 6989, caroline.day@uq.edu.au.
