Thomas Parker has lost 35 kilograms since September 1, after he started his weight loss journey.

The biggest change he made was cutting out take away and soft drinks. Before September he was having eight to 10 meals a week from take away stores.

This change results in him losing eight eight kilograms in the first week and save money.

“We’re actually saving money, the portions are smaller and you don’t have to eat as much because it fills you up,” Mr Parker said.

“Buying fresh food that’s in season makes it cheaper. Try and work the seasons and buy what there is an abundance of.”

Mr Parker does the majority of his shopping at local fruit and vegetables stores and butchers avoiding supermarkets but not just because of the cost.

“What we can’t get at local stores we buy at the supermarket but through online ordering so we’re not tempted (by unhealthy foods),” he said.

As for the time factor, which oftens tempts people to take away, Mr Parker said with planning cooking doesn’t take much longer than getting takeaway.

“It is definitely quicker, especially once you know the recipes and don’t have to look at them,” he said.

Dietician and owner of Ingrained Nutrition, Peta Adams, echoed Mr Parker’s view on the cost of eating out.

“It is more expensive to eat out,” she said.

“When you eat out you get a huge portion size which generally ends up being wasted.”

Although eating fish and chips or other fatty foods might feel satisfying at the time they don’t fill you up.

“There is a huge blood glucose spike and then a crash,” Ms Adams said.

“It doesn’t fill you up, you’ll find yourself reaching for something else in a couple of hours.”

Ms Adams recommends having a list of five quick meals pinned to the fridge for busy days.

“When you know it’s going to be a busy day you know it’ll only be 15 minutes,” she said.