This diet plan helped man lose nearly 200 pounds for son's graduation
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Maine father says he also saves thousands per month on food expenses
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Published March 11, 2025 1:19pm EDT

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A father from Maine who was mortified at the thought of having his picture taken at his son's graduation has lost 180 pounds — and he says his new diet saves him $2,000 a month on groceries, as SWNS reported.

Justin Dudley, 48, tipped the scales at 343 pounds and a size XXXXL at his heaviest after years of carb-loading took a toll.

The self-confessed "fast-food addict" says he followed every meal with dessert — and that he spent anywhere from $1,600 to $2,400 per month on ice cream, chips and candy.



In April 2024, Dudley decided enough was enough. The single dad’s only son, Ethan, was set to  that spring, according to the SWNS report.



"**I still felt embarrassed when having my photo taken … I knew I still had a lot of work to do,," said Dudley, pictured in April 2024. (Justin Dudley / SWNS)**

Dudley created a strict  that included extreme calorie counting and intermittent fasting, which is a timed eating plan that alternates between fasting and eating on a regular schedule, according to Johns Hopkins.

Since his son's graduation, Dudley has lost 180 pounds.

That June, on graduation day, Dudley "still cringed" at having photos taken, per SWNS.



Since his son’s graduation, Dudley has lost even more weight, shedding a total of 180 pounds.

"I look back at old pictures and can't believe how far I've come," he said.



Since his son’s graduation, Dudley has lost even more weight, shedding a total of 180 pounds. (Justin Dudley / SWNS)

Dudley's new eating plan has saved him money, too. He spends approximately $300 monthly on food, compared to more than triple that amount previously, according to SWNS.

"I save thousands a month that would've been spent on junk that was putting me into an early grave," he said.

"**I save thousands a month that would've been spent on junk that was putting me into an early grave."**

Now, the father looks forward to traveling — something he says he couldn’t do before — and living a life he’s proud of.

Dudley’s own father passed away not long before his own , which is part of what inspired him to begin.



Intermittent fasting is a timed eating plan that alternates between fasting and eating on a regular schedule, according to Johns Hopkins. (iStock)

"Losing my dad hit me hard, and I didn't want Ethan to lose me prematurely," he said, according to SWNS.

"Before my dad passed, he told me not to live with regrets or to postpone anything for tomorrow."

 

For others looking to implement this sort of change, Fung offered some simple advice.

"My tip for intermittent fasting is that it's never easy or particularly fun, so making it  that you can follow is a huge step toward maintaining the benefits," he said.

Khloe Quill is a  production assistant with Fox News Digital. She and the lifestyle team cover a range of story topics including food and drink, travel, and health.
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