An inspiring conversation with Fiona Swadling, one of our #WeightlossWarriors who was suffering from plantar fasciitis and heel spurs. Fiona started her weight loss journey over 2 years ago and with her newfound confidence, her life has changed completely.
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Melinda Adams: From A Stationary Seamstress To The Ultimate Thrillseeker!
I caught up with #WeightLossWarrior Melinda Adams and talk about how her trajectory in life has changed a million per cent since she began her weight loss journey in 2004 via a gastric band procedure that was the only bariatric solution available at that time. Melinda regained her functional fitness which enabled her to try out different careers to building up a financial property portfolio, to travelling around the world. Ever the avid thrillseeker, Melinda shares her passion for all things adrenaline including white water rafting and jumping out of planes!
A big takeaway for anyone considering bariatric solutions to achieve sustainable weight loss, take a moment to think about this: If in your thirties, you couldn’t even walk up a flight of stairs yet in your fifties, you’re doing whitewater rafting, that’s a massive polarisation between those two points in time.
The lap band weight loss solution and Melinda’s 3Ps – Positive, Persistent and Perseverance, has given her the most amazing opportunity to live a full, active and incredible life.
Show Notes:
1:22 – A surgical weight loss journey that started in 2004, when it was relatively new.
3:20 – Melinda’s first milestone achieved was when she went from three to two figures on the weighing scale over the Christmas holidays.
5:53 – Melinda explored different careers in life, from being a seamstress to becoming a Camp Manager & a Heavy Rigid Truck Driver at the mines.
7:40 – On her love of adventure, Melinda experienced from jumping out of planes, to white water rafting down a seven-metre waterfall in New Zealand.
8:51 – Looking back at some of the challenges and obstacles she used to have prior to her weight loss surgery, Melinda shares how she struggled walking upstairs, with the heat, buying new clothes, fitting into a chair at restaurants and travelling.
17:01 – How mindset has impacted Melinda’s whole pathway and her direction life post weight loss, from her health, wellbeing and also financial health.
24:17 – Melinda’s experience with gastric band surgery back in 2004, that was the only surgical weight loss option available, and how that’s turned Melinda’s life around for the better.
27:17 – Where will Melinda be in her 50s, 60s, 70s and beyond?
A Painful End of Life From Living In Denial vs. A Thriving Lifestyle From Breaking Bad Habits
Bariatric patient Richard Smedley shares his weight loss journey through the last 3 years. Richard reveals the personal story of his own sister who was, unfortunately, unable to take actions to better her lifestyle choices, and the outcome of that inability to change the mindset led to her sufferings and subsequently her end of life. Richard talks about how overweight crept into his life from when he was a teenager and how he adopted a different approach, through the support and guidance of WeightLoss Solutions Australia, he is now living his best life. With #YesYouCan mantra, he is doing the wonderful healthy things he could never have done before, including Salsa dancing, running, jet-skiing, target pistol shooting and travelling.
“3 years ago, I was 200 kilos. I’m now sitting at roughly just under 95, quite happy about it. I’m extremely active. ” Weight Loss Warrior, Richard Smedley.
Show Notes:
5:02 – I tried many things over the time with gyms and losing weight and did it quite successfully, but then something happens and you get back on the sliding scale again, usually, an injury or something happens that puts you out of whack for a while, and you get back into the wrong food choices again.
7:05 – I believe it’s an internal voice that’s in your mind, that’s telling you it’s okay to keep eating the wrong foods. You need those foods.
7:23 – It’s that denial thing of not realising that you are that big because I didn’t think I was that big, even though I knew what size clothing I was buying and the amount of food I was eating.
8:59 – With family life, it was hard to see where the problems were because when you’re getting into that relationship and the comfort, my wife was also gaining weight through poor food choices and we both gained significant weight.
10:26 – My sister’s weight probably worsened when she got into a stable relationship, her weight issues remained unchecked and she developed diabetes.
13:54 – All these things happened a couple of years ago when there was the possibility of reversing, some of the effects before they got too bad, but that denial factor of her, she didn’t do it, and hence why it has led to now, this final outcome.
26:23 – With my approach to the weight loss surgery, I was told about WeightLoss Solutions Australia and got in contact with them, and I found a solution there.
28:46 – Activity days include functions with high-level chefs providing meal solutions and paddle boarding. WeightLoss Solutions Australia sponsored the #WeightLossWarriors community to train and participate in the Gold Coast Marathon.
36:13 – My life now is so totally different from having lost weight. The biggest thing, it’s far easier to travel. I looked up and found a local salsa dancing group, it’s a lot of fun, one of the things with that is it’s called muscle training.
42:19 – #YesYouCan now fit into a toilet on the airplane without many worries, yes you can sit on an airline seat without having to overcrowd the person beside you. Yes, you can go on amusement park rides and know that they can sit the bar on you without having to say, “Sorry, sir. You can’t go on this ride.”
Dr. Skye Marshall: Wellness, Health & Beyond in a World of Dietetics & Nutrition
In this episode, we meet with Dr. Skye Marshall, Scientific and Education Director at Nutrition Research Australia, and talk about how she got started in her journey on becoming a dietitian and researcher. Dr. Marshall also touches on the importance of studies that she has been involved in together with WeightLoss Solutions Australia, particularly with the ENvISage Project and Project GRIT.
Show Notes:
1:38 – Dr. Marshall talks about how she went from a family of artists, Dr. Marshall to taking on an interest in photography and finally settling on nutrition and food science as a career.
8:29 – After working in rural country New South Wales as a dietitian for a few years, Dr. Marshall delved into the world of research, particularly in the area of bariatrics.
10:21 – ENvISaGE is a joint study being carried out with Dr. Marshall at the Bond University and WLSA, to explore endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty.
15:53 – The focus on the ENvISaGE study is not focused on weight loss, but how the quality of life has improved for people that have decided to explore the laparoscopic sleeve or ESG.
20:26 – Project GRIT, is a childhood obesity prevention study. GRIT stands for Growth, Resilience, Insights, and Thrive, and is a project by initiated by WLSA where children and adolescents aged between 9-15 were provided with exercise training, nutrition awareness and mindfulness techniques.
25:43 – Dr. Marshall shares what her tips are on achieving wellness in life such as connecting with oneself, connecting with family, and connecting with nature.
In this episode, we look back at the life-changing decision Trish Bridgement made when she elected to go for Bariatric surgery in 2002. Trish wasn’t able to do the things that she had wanted to do and decided to change her health, wellness and life for the better. 18 years on, Trish leads an active lifestyle, playing with her grandchildren, travelling the world with her husband, Ron, and enjoying all that life has to give.
Show Notes:
2:32 – Trish made the life-changing decision for bariatric surgery in 2002, a revolutionary procedure for that time
5:13 – Tragic personal circumstances and stressors that led to Trish’s weight gain
7:09 – Life-changing benefits in Trish’s life post-bariatric surgery, including playtime with her grandchildren, being more confident in her career choices and participating in a 10km Noosa triathlon
12:10 – Being able to travel, sit on a plane comfortably, and not have to have additional knee or back surgery due to the weight loss
15:57 – Positive experiences now include buying clothes easily, dining in a restaurant without having to feel eyes on you, and eating healthier.
18:37 – Trish shares the positive impact her lifestyle change has had not only with her children but with her grandchildren
28:06 – Looking to the future, Trish shares what her plans are post-retirement.
