Nathan: Hi, this is Nathan from the DVCC and I am here with Ann today. I am just going to ask Ann a few questions to hopefully get an insight into how she’s got such great results at the DVCC, and speak about any difficulties which she has had; because I am sure there are thousands of people out there who will find this podcast very interesting. So Ann, please introduce yourself and how long have you been at the DVCC?
Ann: I have been here probably the best part of a year; I came because the doctor told me I needed to *lose weight. I had osteo-arthritis in my hip and I needed an operation. The doctor couldn’t refer me because she said I needed to *lose weight. I couldn’t lose weight, so I came here in January. When I went back to the doctor in the May, she was really pleased with the results and referred me straight away at that point.
Nathan: That’s awesome; and you said you started last January; do you know how much weight you have *lost in that time?
Ann: From the January through to the September when I had my operation, I had *lost the best part of a *stone and toned up considerably.
Nathan: Awesome, that’s great results, very well done. And that allowed you to have your operation, is that correct?
Ann: Yes, that’s right. The doctor was then happy to refer me because the body mass index was down low enough for what she wanted, so she was able to refer me to have the operation and I got that done in the September.
Nathan: I suppose that was quite worrying for you at that point, you know, when the doctor said that you might need to *lose weight to have the surgery. Was that quite a worrying time for you?
Ann: Yes, because I found it very difficult to lose weight; I had tried every diet under the sun but none of them worked for more than a few months.
Nathan: Could you name a few of the diets that you tried in the past, if you remember?
Ann: I’ve done the H plan diet, I’ve tried the Cambridge diet, I’ve gone to Weight Watchers, I’ve done everything over the years, I’ve always struggled with my weight.
Nathan: And did you find those diets worked to begin with and then slowed off, or did they just never work?
Ann: They worked for a little while, I’d *lose a few pounds, but then when I started eating normally again – whatever normal is – the weight would go back on again quite quickly and each time it would gradually, gradually creep up a bit more.
Nathan: Ok, I suppose they were the main struggles with your weight *loss before the DVCC – did you ever exercise before the DVCC?
Ann: Not much, not really, no – I’ve never been keen on exercise.
Nathan: That’s changed, because you come 4 times a week now – and had a good session with Lewis this morning, one of the transformation experts at the DVCC.
Ann: This is the first time in my adult life that I have stuck at an exercise.
Nathan: That’s awesome; I’m super glad you have done. So, had you ever *lost weight using nutrition and exercise, or had it always just been one or the other?
Ann: It was mainly diets, yes.
Nathan: What does your lifestyle look like now, compared to before the DVCC?
Ann: For a start, I come here 4 times a week in a morning - that sets the day off. And I eat a lot healthier, definitely. I eat a lot more green vegetables, I eat a lot more protein, I try to avoid the carbs, the bad carbs, as far as I can. I’m not 100% perfect with it by any means, but I do eat a lot healthier now than I did before I came.
Nathan: Which is awesome, I’m glad to hear that. So, in terms of your hip, how long was it while you were out after your operation?
Ann: I had it done in the September; it was a very good operation, the surgeon said it was text book; he was pleased with the results. I came back here, I think mid December, to do a little bit, gradually, and then from January I started coming back 4 times a week, since January.
Nathan: And would you say you feel a lot stronger now, and a lot more confident now than you did around January time?
Ann: Oh yes, definitely; building up the muscles around the hip. Because everybody here knows what’s wrong and how to help me fix it, so that helps as well.
Nathan: Yes, it definitely does. I suppose it was quite daunting, the thought of coming back to exercise because a hip replacement is a major surgery; did you have any doubts at any point, that the DVCC wouldn’t be able to adapt for you?
Ann: I wasn’t too sure if it was suitable for me to come back, but I came in and chatted to you, and you assured me that everybody would know what I needed and that has been the case, so yes it’s good.
Nathan: Yes, we have adapted things as much as possible and tried to help you strengthen your glutes and stuff, which is awesome. Do you have any specific tips for somebody that would be in a similar position to you, as in maybe needing to *lose weight for an operation?
Ann: Coming here helps, without a doubt!
Nathan: What about after the operation; do you think it has been a massive benefit coming back as quickly as you did?
Ann: Oh yes, there’s no doubt that because I was fit, the operation went a lot better and my recovery straight after the operation went so much better than it would have done if I had got no muscles all around the area in the first place. So that helped considerably, I think it makes a lot of difference.
Nathan: So the work you did before your surgery has actually benefited you in the long run, which is awesome.
Ann: Yes, definitely.
Nathan: And I believe the surgeon said that you had been like a perfect case, because you had recovered so well. Could you just explain a little bit about that?
Ann: Yes, he said the x-ray showed the operation was text book; he said he was going to use my case in his books, because it worked so well. A lot of that is down to the fact that the muscles were good in the first place; and then it all went well from there.
Nathan: Which is awesome. Have you got any final, final words before we come to a close?
Ann: Well, it worked for me. If it worked for me at my age, it will work for anybody!
Nathan: I can appreciate that! Thank you very much for your time Ann and I hope that anybody listening to this has found this interview helpful. This is Nathan from the DVCC in Milton Keynes; have a great day.
