Wanganui National MP Chester Borrows felt temporarily washed up yesterday after hanging out a load of washing, then drawing a raffle down at the local police station in Hawera.
It's just a week today since he had major surgery, a gastric bypass (stomach stapling) operation in the hope of ending years of weight problems and obesity, he said.
Even though he admitted to feeling a bit knackered after his morning's activities, the tall politician with warm, hazel eyes and a ready laugh insisted on putting the kettle on and making a cup of tea.
"I might have to put my feet up for a while later."
He described his surgery, which was a laparoscopy procedure involving six staples, at Southern Cross Hospital in Hamilton as an investment in his future.
The surgery costing $14,500 was paid partly by health insurance and personal savings, he said.
Mr Borrows said his weight had always fluctuated and even though he could drop a few kilos through diet and exercise it never stayed off.
"I'd be right back up there again within months."
At the beginning of June this year, when his weight had ballooned to 144kg (more than 22 stone), he decided it was time to take control once and for all, he said.
A mate who had the procedure 12 months ago and has now dropped 55kg, extolled the virtues of a gastric bypass operation weekly telling Mr Borrows it was the "way to go".
When he saw his local Hawera GP the doctor agreed saying it was great idea. The four week run up to the surgery last week was on the proviso he lost at least 10kg first.
He lost 12kg and described the strict diet as stultifying with only the worst vegetables allowed like Brussels sprouts, cabbage and broccoli.
"No tasty veg like potatoes, kumara and corn."
And for the next month he has been reduced to sloppy food.
"I'm on the same diet as a six-month-old baby."
Breakfast yesterday morning was two teaspoons of yoghurt, dinner last night was a cup of mashed veges and a poached egg, he said.
He only made it through the egg and had to leave the veges. Even though he's not hungry he can't help thinking of a comforting casserole meal in thick gravy swimming with carrots and onions.
"Because I'm at home and it's a miserable kind of day."
So why the gruelling self-torture with months of sloppy nosh and no steaks and no roasts?
It's an insurance, an investment in my future, he said. "I want to live to have a future and see my grandchildren grow up. I want to climb to the top of Mt Taranaki I've never been able to do that. I want to live a full and active life. I want control. Now I've taken charge, I am in control."
Even though he'll be a bit on the slow side for a while he's on his way back to Parliament next week.
But first he's off to the National Party conference on Friday in Auckland.
"I can always go and have a short lie down if I need to."
He laughed, saying he will be fully prepared, with a couple of jars of baby food and some yoghurt at the ready. Red meat, bread, rice and pasta are on the no-go list for the next two months.
He has set his goal weight at 95kg.
He has hauled his old backpack out of the garage, dusted off his track shoes and warned 12-year-old Joe (the pup from the pound) that things are going to be different around here.
"I used to be a runner, doing 50 to 60ks a week. It's time to reform and get back into exercise, give my heart a treat and get old Joe back on the beat."
PICTURED: Joe the dog is on standby as Chester Borrows dons his running shoes for some healthy exercise after surgery to help him reduce his weight.
Surgery helps MP tackle weighty problem
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