#15 How'd they do it?
Nicholas Wasiliev
The How’d they do it? interview series is designed to share how members of the Alfred community improved their health and energy.
This week, we chatted with Nicholas Wasiliev, an author and podcaster, about being harsh on himself and how losing weight isn’t his main goal.
Tell us a bit about yourself
I'm an author, podcaster and producer originally from the Southern Highlands, but now based in Newcastle. I currently spend my days working for sports website The Roar, podcasting, and occasionally playing for Mereweather Carlton. I'm also the author of a fiction novel When Men Cry.
From your heaviest, how much weight have you lost?
I was 110kg before using Alfred, but now I’m down to 103kg. I’m aiming to be under 100kg in time for my wedding on October 30th, with the long-term plan of getting down to 90-95kg.
Why did you want to lose weight?
I was always the big kid in school. While I have no problems with being that size in terms of my mental health and ability to play rugby, whenever I did some fitness and managed my calorie intake better, I felt more focused. I also felt more comfortable in myself, and able to enjoy life a bit more.
That realisation led to want to recapture that feeling and lifestyle, which is where Alfred is a great solution. The goal is to find great life balance and happiness, with losing weight as a secondary goal.
Was there anything holding you back from losing weight in the past?
Often when I was busy with work, I found myself putting on weight due to poor eating or not allowing myself time to do things like exercise or relax.
But I’ve proven to myself that I can get down and stay down at my ideal weight, when I give myself permission to, and it’s the stresses of everyday life that often get in the way.
One of the things we’re trying to do at Alfred is to help people take control of their health. What’s been the biggest change to your health you’ve noticed from losing weight?
My weight decline has been slow, which I'm okay with, and I’ve learned that you really have to be kind to yourself.
You're not going to eat perfectly every day, and it's really the self-awareness tracking brings about the food I’m eating that’s been the most benefit.
Now I look at what I'm eating and it comes with an awareness: am I eating because I need it? Or am I eating it for purely out of comfort or boredom?
Sometimes you can allow yourself permission to eat out a bit, just as long as you look after yourself and earn it back later.
The self-awareness aspect has been the key learning for me, and something I'm now even employing even when I take a break from tracking.
What’s your favourite meal?
Carbonara. Either that or a classic schnitzel. Can't beat it.
How often do you have it?
Usually only a few times a year. It's a special treat and a comfort food for me.
If you could go back, what would you tell yourself at the beginning of your weight loss journey?
Be kinder to yourself.
I started my journey so determined to lose weight and whenever I had a day where I'd eat too much, I'd be very harsh on myself, which only resulted in more bad eating.
Allow yourself to ease into your journey. Be vigilant and understand it's about making yourself happier, not just about losing weight.
Make time for things like walks, exercise, and switching off, and that balance will become second nature.
You've got this mate.
Got a message for the Alfred community?
Do it for the right reason.
I think the goal for all of us is to just be happy. Use that as your guide, and if you want to lose weight super quickly, that doesn't lead to long-term health and happiness.
Know where you are at, know when to treat yourself and when to pull back. Check-in with yourself. Be kind, and good luck on whatever journey Alfred is helping you on!
Thanks Nick!
If you’d like to share your story, please get in touch here.