Local man wins vacation getaway for losing half of his weight

Published October 3, 2019

By GAIL LOWE

NORTH READING — For many, weight control is a lifelong struggle. A new diet or surgical procedure might inspire confidence in a person, only to have it spirited away when the pounds silently return.

North Reading resident and carpenter Damien McCudden knows all too well the struggles that go along with trying to keep a healthy weight. At his heaviest, the 36-year-old man weighed 395 pounds.

But this year he waxes triumphant. With the help of an individualized physician-supervised program called Medi-Weightloss, McCudden has lost 200 pounds — the first 100 pounds in a matter of only five months.

For his extraordinary success, he was named 2019 winner of the program’s Transformation Vacation Giveaway. The grand prize? A beach vacation in St. Petersburg, Fla. for two people, including airfare, three nights lodging, spending money and the opportunity to be featured in the Medi-Living magazine that will be placed in all of the organization’s branches across the nation over the next few weeks. McCudden will also be interviewed by local news outlets in the Tampa-St. Petersburg area.

He is only too willing to share his story if it means helping someone else achieve his or her weight loss goals. Always “a heavy kid” while growing up in his native Ireland, his craving for all things sweet did nothing to help matters. By the time he reached high school, he was in worse shape than ever.

Certain recent life events only contributed to his weight gain — a house fire in 2016 and the loss of his father from cancer in 2017.

At his heaviest, McCudden knew it was time for a change and that’s when he discovered the program that helped him achieve his goals.

“I wanted to be around for my kids and to be able to run and play with them,” he said.

At 395 pounds, however, he would find himself out of breath while trying to keep up. He also had a hard time shopping for clothing that fit properly. Even activities of daily living proved difficult.

At one point during his weight loss journey, McCudden considered gastric bypass surgery and was, in fact, approved in 2015, but he “fell off the wagon” and gained weight.

“I tried lots of diets over the years,” he said. “I’d do well and get great results but then put the weight back on.”

In April 2018, he managed to lose 85 pounds on his own but then plateaued. When that happened, he worked harder and thought of his father and kids.

“I was determined to lose the weight for them,” he said.

The luck of the Irish must have been with him because one day while socializing with friends he learned about the program he claims finally helped him.

“My friends were talking about their good results, so I decided to give it a go last November,” he said.

McCudden said he liked the program from the very beginning and referred to the employees at the Wakefield branch as “amazing.” They help him stay motivated week after week, even when he has slow weight loss weeks.

The program differs from others, he explained, because the focus is on portion control. All food consumed is weighed, low fat, high protein and free of carbohydrates. With regular exercise added to the equation, McCudden thinks these are the “tricks that work.”

“This is what has worked for me,” he said, adding that other than co-payments his medical insurance picks up the cost.

From his former 395 pounds, he is now down to 200 pounds and has dropped from a 48-inch waist to 34 inches. His shirt size has also decreased from 5 Extra Large to Extra Large.

“I have more energy now,” McCudden commented. “It’s really been worth it, and I’ve been getting nice comments from people I haven’t seen in a while. Some have barely recognized me.”

Not one to rest on his laurels, McCudden admits that his weight loss journey is still difficult and that he could relapse at any time.

“Being determined and staying focused in addition to having good family and friends — plus my program team — keeps me going, even when obstacles present themselves.”

McCudden now feels the healthiest he has been in years, and he finds work in construction much easier.

In the coming months, he plans to stay close to his weight loss program and follow the advice he is given.

McCudden is enjoying the new freedom his extreme weight loss has brought with his wife Kathleen; son Damien Jr., age 6 and daughter Aine, age 4. In addition to the success of his weight loss, in 2018 he became a journeyman carpenter and finished four years of carpentry training.

For the McCuddens, life is good.

He would advise anyone who struggles with weight to keep trying and stay motivated and focused.

“Anyone who is trying to lose weight should not give up,” he stressed. “There’s a diet out there that will work for you. Get help rather than go it alone. Set your goal for one pound at a time. You can do it.”