Four months ago, Robert Daniels tipped the scales at 375 pounds.

Now with the help of trainers, nutritionists, sheer determination and a mental picture of running around with his five-year-old son, he is down to 282lbs.

Mr. Daniels is this year's winner of the popular reality show the Bermuda 100-Day Challenge. He went on the show so that he could be healthier and fitter for his family.

"I needed to lose weight," he said. "My son is very active at five years old. Looking at that you say, 'by the time he turns seven, I'm going to be panting'. It was more so for my kids, but also for myself and my wife. When she met me I was a lot smaller."

Mr. Daniels stands at 6ft 2in and is married to Danielle, 36. They have two children Isaiah, five, and Zoya, 12.

He said he initially weighed 375lbs but lost 15lbs by the time the show started.

"I wasn't on a diet but I had just decided I was going to cut back. I was still eating rubbish but instead of having a cheeseburger and fries, I would have the cheeseburger or the fries.

"Going in, I felt that I really had to focus. My main goal was basically to get in shape. I was happy to lose 60lbs. It would put me back at 300lbs," he said.

"So that's basically where I wanted to be get in shape where I can start handling my weight. I was always a big guy but after I stopped going to the gym, I was like 'I can't handle this anymore'."

The 41-year-old said he would eat cereal for breakfast and then always get an appetiser with lunch such as a slice of pizza before a burger and fries.

Now he eats three meals a day with two snacks. He starts the day with oatmeal or whole grain cereal with skimmed milk and fruit as a morning snack.

Lunch is usually a turkey sandwich on whole grain bread with mustard, tomato and kale. His afternoon snack is usually almonds with wasabi peas and raisins. Dinner is fish with a salad or green vegetables.

"To be honest with you, I didn't get hungry through the whole thing," he added.

But he did cheat a little bit on the weekends in moderation.

Mr. Daniels said he misses eating pizza the most. When he feels a craving for melted, gooey cheese, he makes pizza at home whole grain crust piled high with vegetables.

"Exercise wasn't a problem," he said. "I like exercise. The hardest part would have been the eating but I knew going into this competition if I got myself in the zone, it would be OK."

Mr. Daniels's goal is to get down to 225lbs.

"I think what people need to really do before they start losing weight, think of the reasons why you're going to do this.

"A lot of people don't realise why they're doing something.

"If they do this and they understand why, chances are they are likely to stick to it. The other thing is basically health. 'If I don't do this I'm going to die' is always in the back of your mind if you have kids and family."

The Bermuda 100-Day Challenge aired on ZBM channel 9. It is said to be the Island's first reality show. It showcases overweight residents struggling to lose as much weight as possible in the span of three-and-a-half months.

It includes early morning boot camps, assault courses with the Bermuda Regiment, Fire Service and Police. Eliminations are shown on television.

Past winners include Vejay Steede, Darren Woods and Nakisha Gilbert.