Australian scientist loses 40.5kg in six months, keeps it off for more than a year

A Brisbane research scientist has said he lost 40.5 kilograms in six months and has kept the weight off for more than a year after following a science‑backed programme and what he described as "one simple rule."

Steve Smith, 55, told the Daily Mail he began his effort weighing 148.5kg and reached a low of about 103.5kg before stabilising around 108kg. He said the changes were achieved "naturally" without surgery and that he has maintained the lower weight for over a year.

Smith, a father of two, said the turning point came when he moved back to Brisbane for work while his wife and daughters remained in Austria. He said the six months of separation gave him an opportunity to focus on his physical and mental health. "I was just sick of being 'big Steve'," he said. "I thought there was more to me than that. My physical and mental health was very low, and I needed to prove I could set goals, stick to them and be my best self for me and my family."

He credited the programme's scientific approach and his personal commitment for the result but did not provide extensive details about the specific methods involved. Smith said he initially lost the most weight during the concentrated six‑month period and later stabilised at a weight that he has maintained for more than 12 months.

Weight loss experts say sustained reductions in body weight typically require ongoing behavioural changes, regular monitoring and adjustments to diet and activity; long‑term maintenance is often considered the most challenging phase of weight management. Smith's report of maintaining a multi‑month weight loss aligns with research indicating that structured programmes, combined with individual adherence, can produce lasting changes for some participants.

Smith described broader benefits beyond the numbers on a scale, saying he felt fitter, healthier and more energetic than he had in decades. He framed the change as part of an effort to return to his family in better health and to model goal‑setting and perseverance.

He remains based in Brisbane and continues to monitor his weight, describing his current condition as stabilised. Smith's account offers a personal example of substantial weight loss followed by at least a year of maintenance, underscoring both the potential and the ongoing nature of significant lifestyle change.