Obesity, surgery and me.

Obesity, surgery and me. A blog about my lifelong battle with obesity and my bariatric journey.

I've not blogged in forever. I've been busy and to be honest, I don't blog unless I've something to say!Today I have. ...
12/01/2025

I've not blogged in forever. I've been busy and to be honest, I don't blog unless I've something to say!

Today I have. I'm miles away from home, in the visitor's centre at the Argyll Beaver Centre, writing my book!

I started it almost a year ago. I'm planning to have it finished before next year!

I was going to call it obesity, surgery and me but as I'm writing, it is about so much more!

Much 💕

I am feeling awesome! And I want to share with you how.As you know, I've been following the Zoe program, listening to t...
05/07/2024

I am feeling awesome! And I want to share with you how.

As you know, I've been following the Zoe program, listening to their podcasts and reading everything they send me!

I've attached a screenshot of my Zoe results and as you can see, they're nae great. Despite my diet assessment being good, it shows that a good diet may not be good for your gut because it's not providing the necessary foods.

Now, I follow the guidelines given to me to improve not only my microbiomes but my blood sugar and blood fat. Fermented foods are crucial to this.

I've become a Kefir fan. I actively seek out the polish cabinet in Tesco because that for me is the best! I may get around to making my own in the future, along with my Kefir yoghurts.

I had no idea how important fermented food is for the gut. There is a cabbage in my fridge waiting to be made into Sauerkraut. A word of wisdom. If you are buying it make sure it's from the fridge because the jars on shelves are heat treated so devoid of any good bacteria!

Last week I was away from home so didn't have my usual foods around me and I found it hard but did my best and didn't do the usual "I'll get back on it on Monday!" and then eat rubbish for three days!

Other positives are I don't have the urge to binge eat, my sweet tooth is all but gone and I rarely feel hungry.

One of the Zoe podcasts I listened to was about constipation. Something he said really resonated with me "You can't supplement yourself out of a bad diet". I've lost count of how often I've done that with shakes, juices and capsules that promise to detox, reset your gut and of course, weight loss. I've spent a fortune over the years.

You can only sort your gut's microbiome when you know what needs sorted! One size does not fit all! Your supplements could be feeding the bad bacteria!

Even pro/pre biotic capsules are flawed because the cultures contained are often destroyed during the manufacturing process.

A book I'd recommend is by Dr Tim Spector, Food for Life. And if you are a Spotify Premium subscriber, it's included!

After my last blog, four people contacted me for the 10% off link and two have subscribed. Zoe doesn't tell me who, but whoever you are, I wish you luck and, please, let me know how you get on!

If you want the link, please send me a message!

15/06/2024

Oh! And I should have added, less pain! Sorting out your gut biom reduces inflammation and thus pain. 😊

I'm more than a month into using Zoe. When my results came back, I was shocked by how poor my gut biom was. But it als...
15/06/2024

I'm more than a month into using Zoe. When my results came back, I was shocked by how poor my gut biom was. But it also made sense.

Next came the lists of foods that work for me. Lots of learning about how to combine foods to keep my glucose and fat levels steady and also improving my gut health.

What struck me is how programmed I'd become with the one size fits all approach to nutrition. It doesn't.

So, I have been following the Zoe guidelines and eating accordingly. Have I been perfect? No. Do I feel deprived? No. Do I feel better? Hell yeah!!!

I feel fuller for longer, don't have the need to snack, no longer look at or count calories, sleep much better, have more energy and my weight is finally shifting! I had been stuck at the same weight since November!

I'm enjoying trying out new recipes that are aligned with my unique biology. Lots of new and delicious foods but today's breakfast won't be repeated!

Bariatric surgery saved my life. Zoe is improving it. A bit like the icing on the cake, although that would send my blood glucose through the roof!

If you decide you want to subscribe to Zoe, ping me a message and I can give you a discount code.

Have a superb weekend!

Much love
Izzie
❤️

I'm now a week into monitoring my blood (glucose) levels as part of my experience. It's really interesting to see wha...
21/05/2024

I'm now a week into monitoring my blood (glucose) levels as part of my experience. It's really interesting to see what foods cause spikes, what foods keep me fuller for longer and the science behind nutrition.

I've been listening to the and as a result, I've reintroduced coffee into my diet. There's a whole podcast dedicated to it! And on chocolate.

It will be a few weeks before I get back the results from my blood and poo tests. I'm looking forward to that.

What I've concluded is that the food industry has let us down. Did you know that there have been trials funded by the industry and if it didn't prove what they were pushing, the results didn't get published?

Today's challenge is about the order food is eaten. Studies show that by eating vegetables first, then protein & followed by carbs, this will avoid glucose spikes.

I'm thoroughly enjoying the program!

Have a wonderful day!

Much love
Izzie ❤️

So, after my few days of being poorly and not really understanding what was going on with my gut, I happened upon the Ne...
14/05/2024

So, after my few days of being poorly and not really understanding what was going on with my gut, I happened upon the Netflix documentary "How to Hack Your Health", I looked further into Zoe. I'd been pondering signing up to it for a while.

Prof. Tim Spector is a co-founder of Zoe and features in the documentary. I'm currently reading one of his books.

Yesterday was day one. It was a day of testing, eating Zoe cookies and collecting samples of 💩 and blood.

The cookies tasted ok but made me feel sick The blue ones are to track how quickly they travel through your gut.

I'm wearing a blood sugar monitor and have to take regular readings.

Soon, I should learn what foods work for me.

I'm also listening to the Zoe pod cast and that is interesting.

It's time to hit the hay. I'm up extra early tomorrow morning so that I can fit in a swim in the Dee before I head out for a day of networking and meetings!

Night, night!

Much love,
Izzie
❤️

01/05/2024

I'm unwell and it is self inflicted. I fell off the wagon yesterday, eating crisps. They were flavoursome and I enjoyed them.

A few hours later, after I had eaten dinner, I started to feel I'll and was experiencing excruciating pain caused by stomach cramps. Think labour pain.

Then nausea set in. What followed was hours of running back and forth to the toilet and kitchen sink to vomit. I haven't been sick like that in years.

Today, I'm being really gentle on my gut but it is tender. Liquids only for today because I'm dehydrated but it will be little and often. It feels like they are the early days following surgery!

But there's a positive side to this. It has confirmed that putting processed foods into my gut is bad and I'm redoubling my efforts to eat clean.

I used to use Sundays to batch cook meals for the week. That will rise like the proverbial phoenix!

I invested in a Ninja Air Fryer. It's time for it to realise its potential! But not today. It's herbal teas and water. And rest.

Have a good one!

Much love
Izzie ❤️

08/04/2024

I've given up wheat. And I feel much better for it. But today I had a serious craving for bread and butter! It's the simplest of things that can bring the most joy!

So, I bought a gluten free loaf. A Warburton tiger loaf. And enjoyed a couple of slices of bread and butter for lunch.

This has not brought joy! Within 20 minutes I started feeling nauseous and then heartburn struck. Now I want to sleep, so I will!

So it looks like bread is off the menu!

Have a great afternoon.

Much love 💕
Izzie

As you know, I've been more conscious when buying food.Easter Sunday found me at a Farm Shop. I don't eat meat but Mr. ...
02/04/2024

As you know, I've been more conscious when buying food.

Easter Sunday found me at a Farm Shop. I don't eat meat but Mr. L does so I'm trying to buy the best meat for him.

Now, you'd think that buying burgers and sausages from a Farm Shop would assure you that you're buying unadulterated meat. So, I didn't check the labels.

When I went to cook said burgers yesterday, I was shocked at the ingredients!

Zoom in to look.

Mr. L will now be making his own burgers. He's quite good at it!

Have a terrific Tuesday!

Much love 💕
Izzie

I have a challenge for you. Do you really know what you are putting in your body? I’ve started reading the labels of eve...
11/03/2024

I have a challenge for you. Do you really know what you are putting in your body?

I’ve started reading the labels of everything I buy, and I’m shocked at what I find. Here is one example.

Yogurts are something I eat a lot of. For the past year, I have been making my own. I use a Graham’s Kefir live yogurt as my starter, mix it with milk and hey-presto, 12 hours later I have my own live yogurt.

Last week, I was staying with a friend for a few days and eating “healthy” live yogurts purchased from Lidl. I read the ingredients, and one that stuck out for me was modified maize starch.

As per Quora “Yogurt producers reduce production costs by adding it to yogurt. When they use a low-quality, low-fat dairy base for yogurt, it won't thicken naturally, or thicken to a nice texture, so corn starch can make up for that, the same way adding corn starch to a cheap, watery sauce turns it into a thick gravy.”

So, I challenge you to read the ingredients of the food you put into your tummy.

My weight has been fluctuating by 0.8kg for months. I'd reached 91.7kg but then went back into the 92 range and had rem...
11/02/2024

My weight has been fluctuating by 0.8kg for months. I'd reached 91.7kg but then went back into the 92 range and had remained there. Old thoughts of going on a diet were creeping in and discarded. I concluded that I'd reached my weight set point, decided by my body.

Something weird was also happening. I was convinced that my weight was climbing. I was avoiding the bathroom scales and not wearing some of my clothes, certain that they would be too small. The feeling of defeat was palpable. I'd force myself to stand on the scales and I was always within the 0.8kg variable. Conclusion - my body was fighting me, again!

In the past week, I've been implementing the guidelines given by Dr Andrew Jenkinson in his new book How to Eat (and Still Lose Weight) - a Science-Backed Guide to Nutrition and Health. Gone is bread. I'm cooking more. I'm making my own oatcakes. Food labels are being scrutinsed for vegetable oils and fats and if I can't pronounce an ingredient, I don't buy it. Slowly, I'm making my way through the foods in the freezer (I don't like waste).

This morning I stepped on the scales. When 91.7kg popped up, I was delighted!

Grab yourself a copy of the book. It's not all about losing weight. It explains why we shouldn't eat or restrict certain things such as ultra processed foods. Debunks the myth that salt is bad for you (I love salty food) and gives simple and manageable guidelines on what to eat and what to avoid. Vogue described it as "A compelling look at the science of appetite and metabolism".

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Aboyne
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