“In August last year I found out that I got Type 2 Diabetes,” he said. 

After his diagnosis he changed his diet completely. 

He now drinks a lot more water, eats fruits, lean meats, salads and has smaller portions. 

Mr Brauer said it was an adjustment but he didn’t find it too hard as he enjoys eating healthily. 

Since August Mr Brauer has lost 10 kilograms and 15 per cent body fat. 

Healthy Weight Week runs from February 13 until February 19 and is an opportunity for people to become aware of the importance to achieve and maintain a healthy weight and lifestyle.

Mr Brauer is an ex-serviceman and said he hopes other diggers will be encouraged to also seek the help they need. 

He said a lot of people in the profession tend to overeat because it is a physical job. 

Mr Brauer said he has seen others in the profession become overweight quickly. 

Healthier You dietician and nutritionist Peter Clark said Mr Brauer has made a dramatic change to his health for the long term. 

Mr Clark said tastebuds only live for three weeks. 

“Whatever you do for a week a third of your tastebuds didn’t know existed and in three weeks all of them,” he said. 

“So if you’re eating sugary foods all the time tastebuds keep looking for that type of food.”

However Mr Clark said if people can adapt to eat healthier diet they will find that they will no longer crave the sugar or salt. 

He recommends people snack on fruit, yoghurt, nuts and cheese with crackers. 

Mr Clark said most of the effort to lose weight comes from having a good diet. 

“It’s about 80 per cent diet and 20 per cent exercise,” he said. 

Mr Clark said there are a lot of factors which come into play when it comes to reasons why there is an obesity epidemic. 

He said portion sizes are often too big especially at dinner time. 

Mr Clark said people need to cut down on discretionary foods, drink plenty of water, keep active, eat fruits and plenty of vegetables.