Tracy's Journey Into The Unknown (Maintenance!!)

Hi, Everyone!

I've been on here a while and made a few posts, but I thought the time was right to start a diary to help keep me motivated!

My name is Tracy, I live in North Staffordshire, and I've been yo-yo dieting for over 30 years. I'd like to think this was the last time I'll be in this position, but we all know the odds are against that - still, let's hope this is my lifestyle change for good!

My starting weight last August was 21.5 stone, and I'm now down to 16 stone 10lbs through a combination of calorie counting and Orlistat. So that's almost the first five stone off, but I'd like to lose as much again for a total of 10 stone.

I don't exercise at all, as I have ME/chronic fatigue syndrome and osteoarthritis in my knees, so working full time (as an accountant) and looking after my husband and 12 year old daughter is really all I'm capable of.

So, I called my diary Tracy's Post-Op Countdown to the Big 5-0 for fairly obvious reasons. On July 8th I turn 50 - oh dear! And this morning I had an operation on my knee, hence post-op. I thought they were just going to "hoover" out my joint, and was expecting to walk/limp out of the hospital. But when I came round they told me they'd done a further procedure which means I can't put any weight on my leg for six weeks - OMG! So here I am learning to walk with crutches and getting my husband to improvise a downstairs bedroom for me!

Anyway, I figure that if my weight loss resolve is going to be put to the test at all, then it's going to be now, so I thought I'd take the plunge and start a diary, having been reading everyone else's in this forum for a while now.

My food intake has been a bit atypical today, as I had toast and biscuits in hospital after the op, then a McDonald's salad for lunch - all things I wouldn't normally have! I should be ok with my calories today, but over on the old fat - I imagine the Orlistat will punish me for that, so I'd better practice getting to the loo on these damned crutches, lol.

Sorry to ramble on for so long, but thought I'd try to get everything relevant down!

Tracy xx

Hi Tracy, well done on your losses so far, you've done brilliantly and five stone is amazing! I have children of a similar age to your child and I also have to go in for an op on the 11th of may which as my first ever op I am totally dreading. Good luck with your diet, I shall look forward to reading your posts xx

5st is amazing. You've done so well. Good luck on rest of your journey & I look forward to reading your posts x

Well done on your loss that's great, I can sympathise on the crutches I broke my ankle in September and had crutches for 10 weeks x

Wow 5st is amazing, hope you rest and don't do anything to your knee while it is healing I had an Achilles issue back in sept and was feeling good and went to a Zumba class - set myself back at least a mth in recovery time .. So listen to your docs I wish you a speedy safe recovery

Onwards and downwards

Well done on your fabulous losses so far and good luck with the rest of your journey Keep sharing your thoughts with us - we are all here for the same reason xxx

Thanks everyone, I really appreciate your lovely comments and support.

Alison - I too was dreading the operation, mostly the general anaesthetic, but, apart from the shock of being told I couldn't put weight on my leg for six weeks, which I wasn't expecting, I was most pleasantly surprised. The staff were all really nice, and I had a good chat with the anaesthetist. I told her my concerns, especially about being sick afterwards, and she said she'd do everything she could to prevent that - and I had no nausea at all, I just drifted off to sleep and woke up feeling fine and ready for toast and coffee!

Anyway, I had a good night's sleep in the hastily created downstairs bed my husband made for me, and think I'm getting a bit more used to the crutches! I came in under my calories yesterday, despite the toast and biscuits, which I was pleased by. Hubby, Paul, is taking a few days off work to cater to my every need, lol. Slightly worried I might starve to death next week when I'm on my own!

Hi Tracy, thanks for the info about the op, I really don't know what to expect lol. I just had a letter today to go to have a pre op assessment on Wednesday next week so I'll give some thought to questions etc. My hubby is also having a week off to look after me and the kids! Well done for keeping under your calories, it can't be easy in your current situation x x

Thanks, Alison. I had a pre-op assessment too. The nurse was very nice and took the time to answer all my questions. As I said before, I found the op itself to be almost a breeze, it's just the unexpected immobilisation I'm struggling with at the moment! I know everyone has different experiences, but mine have been largely positive - I had it done at Leighton Hospital in Crewe - and I hope you go on well too. xx

I think the worst thing for me is the fear of the unknown and of being put to sleep. I guess once I've had one op and I hopefully don't have any reactions to the anesthetic then I wont be quite so worried if I ever have to have another.... So did your hubby do you something nice for dinner? I've had pork and veg casserole tonight, well within my orlistat guidelines could have eaten more tho lol!

I know, it's bound to be scary, but try not to worry. I have a relaxation recording on my iPod that I listen to at stressful times, and it teaches you breathing techniques etc. that are very helpful. I used it several times over the weekend, as I didn't want my blood pressure too high, which is a problem with me, and when they took my BP at the hospital it was fine.

You're very lucky if your hubby cooks, mine is challenged by toast! I can't say much though, I am the queen of the ready meal myself! I find them so convenient for calorie counting. My daughter actually got me my tea last night, bless her, Tesco Light Choices Chicken and Broccoli Pie, with extra veg.

Please keep me posted on how you go on! xx

Well I can't say I'm getting any better on these crutches! All the muscles in my arms and chest are hurting from the unusual strain being put on them - I'm trying to tell myself I'm getting a workout, but myself is not very convinced!

On the plus side, I'm managing to keep to my calorie counting as usual, and haven't turned to comfort eating. Though to be honest, I don't really think I am a comfort eater, I'd classify myself as a recreational eater. Eating is my leisure pursuit; I don't smoke or drink, my way of enjoying myself is eating. Fortunately, I'm able to still enjoy my food and eat lower calorie things. For example, I've more or less given up chocolate in favour of things like Muller Light yogurts - I really love the coconut one.

Hope everyone else is doing ok! xx

Well, another day done, more or less - never thought I'd be so eager for a period of time off work to be over!

I haven't taken any Orlistat today, as I'm going to allow myself a day off over the weekend - I don't normally, but it's been a heck of a week! My sister came to see me this morning and brought me a bag of Morrison's cookies that I really love, so I'm going to have a treat! Might even have a bit of chocolate too - naughty or what? Still, I know now that I can indulge myself periodically and get back to being good the next day, and I think it's important to do so every now and then. xx

Hi! You've had quite a stressful time with your op so you deserve a treat. I've been doing okay on the diet all week luckily. Saturday nights are my problem time as I like to relax the diet slightly but sometimes I go too far and I'm eaten up with guilt the next day. My blood pressure is a bit high too, my doc took it yesterday as I needed some orlistat anyhow and I usually get my blood pressure checked at the same time. ~She said it was the high end of normal and if it's still high at the pre op on Wednesday they may contact her to get me put on tabs for just a couple of weeks to control it till after the op

Hi Alison. Thanks for your message! I take three different drugs for blood pressure - ironically, my BP has been more of a problem since losing some weight than it was before!

Saturday nights are a problem, aren't they?! My solution to evening temptations in general is to never eat my main meal earlier than 9pm. I find I can get through the evening fine with a low calorie snack if I know I've got a nice tea to look forward to later. Fortunately my husband is a late eater too, and my daughter pretty much sorts herself out if she's eating at home - I know it can be hard if you're tied to an earlier family mealtime.

Well, I had a couple of naughties for breakfast - I used to have muffins or cookies for breakfast every weekend, but now usually watch the other two eating them, lol. Going to have Kathryn get me a WW chicken tikka for lunch, not too bad in itself but will also have a lower fat naan bread - curry just isn't the same without it!

There's a marathon of I Used To Be Fat on MTV at the moment, so that's helping my "diet relaxation" day not get too disastrous!

Take care. xx

Well, I enjoyed my weekend "off"! Didn't go too mad, but did enjoy some cake, cookies and chocolate. Back on the straight and narrow today (hopefully!), and on my own for the first time since the op. Husband and daughter have left me with a flask of coffee and a cool box of food, so hopefully I'll survive, lol. Also have my two lovely guinea pigs for company, though I won't be able to pick them up for a cuddle.

Managed to get back to my desired calorie level yesterday, after my indulgent weekend! Came in at sub-1500, which is a bit less than normal. I'm a bit peckish at the moment, but trying not to eat anything until 11.00, as I'll be even hungrier if I do, lol.

Getting very fed up of trying to get around on crutches, as my "good" leg is now giving way on me, and it's agony just to get to the bathroom. I've phoned the hospital this morning, and they're going to get a physio to ring me.

Sorry to hear you're having problems getting around, hope there's something the hospital can do for you

Thanks, Alison! I spoke to the surgeon who did my op yesterday, as well as a physio, and he reassured me that if I absolutely have to put some weight on my left leg, it's not going to be catastrophic. So I'm going ti do my best and see how it goes. x

Hello! Well, I'm getting on a bit better, but only by doing what I'm not really supposed to ie. putting some weight on the leg I had the operation on. I'm not using it fully, just a bit to take the strain off my right leg, which I was convinced was going to give way on me at any minute!

I've been behaving as far as my calorie intake goes, so nothing really to report there. I have, however, been looking to the future and thinking about what I need to do to change for good this time, and not just put the weight back on. We all know that's what happens in more than 95% of cases, so why do we keep doing it? Anyway, I'm reading a book about the psychology of addictive eating at the moment, which was recommended by someone on here, some of you may have come across it - it's by Gillian Riley.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/0091902479/ref=mp_s_a_1?qid=1336131452&sr=8-1

What I've read so far really resonates with my personal experiences of dieting over the last 30 years, so I'm hoping I can pick up some useful tips from it.

Take care, everyone. xx