Tina having lost 30kg

What a journey and where do I start my story?

I sound like a stereotype but I was always “the fat kid” and despite a lifetime of diets I reached my zenith in November 2010 at 164.7 kgs. I had joined a weight club and was horrified when I got on the scales. I shouldn’t have been surprised. My own scales at home “only” went to 150kgs and it had been ages since I had been able to weigh myself on them.

I had decided I needed to do something after I had come out of my second bout of hospitalisation with cellulitis in November 2010. My first time was March 2009 when I was there for 15 days. I had an infection from my knee to my ankle and needed 2 different types of IV antibiotics. The doctor was considering a second opinion and possible amputation if I did not respond to the antibiotics. I was then given 5 weeks bed rest at home.

The cellulitis had reappeared twice in 2009/2010 and then I was hospitalised
in November 2010 for 5 days for IV antibiotics. I also had to have bedrest for another 3 weeks with oral antibiotics.

But I was still making quite half hearted attempts at losing weight. I also have a hormonal condition that makes it difficult for me to lose weight. I wasn’t feeling really great about myself because every time I “failed” at my most recent diet I consoled myself with food; all the wrong types. Ice-cream was my favourite!! And I would have a heaped bowl with heaps of Milo.

At the end of 2010 we decided to plan a cruise to the South Pacific for July
2011. We went on the cruise. During the cruise, I decided to visit the beauty spa on board. Because my cellulitis has left me with lymphodaema in my right leg, I decided to have a seaweed wrap on the lower part of my body to reduce the swelling. It was not my best decision!! By that evening, I was sitting in my cabin out in the middle if the Pacific Ocean feeling like I was having a heart attack. I couldn’t get my breath. It was scary!!

I had been seeing Maxine and Laurie for a month or so before we went on the
cruise. We arrived back in Brisbane on the Saturday and I went to see Maxine
on that Saturday afternoon. She listened to my tale of woe and talked me about foods to eat (and those to avoid) to make my breathing and the upset settle down.

I have been working with Maxine and Laurie now for 4 months. In that time I
have lost over 21 kgs. I feel that I have sacrificed some of the foods that I love but the results well and truly speak for themselves.

Before I had my first hospital stay in 2009, I could drink 7-8 cups of coffee per day with 2 heaped sugars and full cream milk or cream. After I had cellulitis, I cut coffee out for several months as I just couldn’t stand the thought of it. But I slowly returned to a bit of my old ways including several cups of coffee per day, very sweet with cream. I stopped drinking it again after November 2010 visit to hospital but again
returned to it.

I still love coffee but currently I am trying not to have coffee, dairy, gluten or sugar as it causes a nasty reaction in my gut. I feel that this will pass with time but feel that I now have the secret to good health for me.

It has not been all plain sailing, let me tell you!! I have had some bad reactions, including shivering and shaking and sleepless nights. But I am very careful now what I eat and drink.

The worst parts of my journey:
Not knowing what foods are going to cause a reaction.
Feeling “precious” when I eat out because I pick through the menu to choose things that won’t mak eme have any reaction.
Not having coffee with cream. I go for coffee once a week with some girlfriends and it is not the same having herbal tea!!

BUT

THE BEST THINGS about my journey:

I have WAY more energy
I am able to walk down the street a not be puffing and panting
I am enjoying exercise
I have had to buy new clothes because all my old ones are way too big
I have my family and friends complimenting my new look

But by far the biggest joy in this whole process has been that my beautiful 13 year old daughter is learning with me to make wonderful food choices. It’s been such a special thing to go on this journey with her. She doesn’t need to lose a lot of weight but she is learning about good nutrition, making good choices and healthy living. She has been an inspiration to me!

So many thanks to Maxine and Laurie, my daughter, Megan, my loving
Mum, Ann and my wonderfully supportive husband, Greg. You have shared
my journey so far and continue to support me in my quest for a better
and healthier life.

Tina