Weight loss advocate Harvey Brooker dies
It is being reported that long time weight loss advocate Harvey Brooker has died.
Brooker, who passed away at the age of 74 was famous for his enthusiasm when it came to weight loss and his radio adds were a thing of beauty and featured his famous line: “If you could do it alone, you would have done it already.”
Toronto Mayor John Tory
“Harvey Brooker inspired hundreds of men, including me, to lose weight and thus improve their health and longevity. He literally saved lives and he did so through his acquired knowledge and the power of his personality,” said Toronto mayor John Tory, who lost 34 pounds after joining one of Brooker’s classes.
“Many families owe a debt of gratitude to Harvey Brooker. I extend my condolences to his wife Helen, who was his partner in business as well as in life, and to all of the members of the Brooker family.”
Other notable names helped by Brooker to lose weight include columnist Robert Fulford and CBC Radio host Michael Enright.
Harvey Brooker Tackles Weight Loss
Brooker took on the weight loss scene after beating back his own weight back in the 70’s, losing 50 pounds and never putting the weight back on.
He developed a program in which the mind set of losing weight should not just be about eating less and exercising, but should also be about gaining self confidence and having a support system.
His famous Brooker Weight Loss for Men program ran on Sundays, Wednesdays and Thursdays and anybody was welcome. During each session Brooker would talk on an array of different subjects with the main theme of healthy eating.
Over the years, Brooker also held thousands of private consultations with men looking to lose weight.
After reaching a desired weight, the focus would switch to maintaining the current goal weight by living a more healthy lifestyle.
“It’s like an AA meeting except you’re addicted to food not alcohol,” said Michael Yaneff, a 35-year-old high school teacher who lost more than 155 pounds on the program.
Yaneff first signed up back in 2015 when he heard one of Brooker’s famous radio adds. At the time, he weighed 315 pounds and suffered from numerous health conditions including sleep apnea and high cholesterol.
He says that throughout his time working with Brooker, he never felt that Brooker was speaking down to him and he remembers how motivating his talks were.
“Harvey saved my life,” he said. “I’ve tried so many other weight-loss programs but nothing worked. If I didn’t meet Harvey, I would be dead by the time I turn 40.”
“He was my hero,” he said.
“The city will deeply miss him, but the classes will go on,” he added.
“Our team is like a family,” said Jimmy Petrou, 48. “We need to keep Harvey’s legacy alive.”
Brooker’s funeral service was held Friday afternoon at Benjamin’s Park Memorial Chapel in North York.
Brooker is survived by his wife of 53 years, Helen, and their two children.
