Tracy Jones Weight Loss Story with The 1:1 Diet

I'm 53, with arthritis and going through the menopause, but I feel fantastic.

Tracy Jones Weight Loss Story with The 1:1 Diet

This time last year I was immobile, depressed, embarrassed and had no self-confidence. I was the biggest I have ever been at over 26 stone.

I walked nowhere and could only stand for a few minutes as my back and knees could hardly support my weight. My cholesterol had gone up and as my dad died of a heart attack I didn't want to die young or be housebound. Something had to be done.

I saw an advert on Facebook for the Cambridge 1:1 diet and went to my doctor who agreed that it would be the best thing for me. After six months on the diet my cholesterol went down from 222 to 157. This spurred me on even more.

I was enjoying the diet and I loved the porridge so if I had that for breakfast and for supper, I could have a meal for lunch and a bar as a snack. I wouldn't allow any other food in the house as I had to stick to the diet. The hardest part was drinking the water as I’m not a big water drinker so I had to force myself to do it.

The weight was coming off each month but I didn't tell people about the diet apart from my bosses and some friends as a support network. My consultant also told me about the 1:1 network on Facebook. This was a great place to show how well I was doing and get some ideas too.

After the first 3-4 stone, people asked if I had lost weight but I didn't say anything. After 6 stone I had dropped a few dress sizes so I told a couple of people. When I'd lost 8 stone I went out for a walk and took some photos. I was flooded with messages asking how much weight I had lost. I was overwhelmed by everyone's positivity and compliments.

When I'd lost 11 stone I decided to visit family in the UK. Flying had always been a massive problem for me as I got very nervous which I put down to a fear of flying. The truth is it was always about my size. I hated getting assistance because I couldn't walk the length of the airport or stand in the queues. I hated everyone looking at me getting on the plane, probably hoping I wasn't going to take up half of their seat as well as my own. I hated having to ask for a bright orange seat belt extension.

This time I was excited as I walked through the airport looking in the shops. I sat in my seat with room to spare and I even had to tighten the seatbelt. I had a black tea with a 1to1 bar I had taken with me for lunch.

I have noticed that I have become visible again. For too long people only saw my exterior and now they see ME. One of my friends said that she is so happy that now when she mentions doing something or going somewhere, my answer is always YES!

Writing this has been very emotional and I hadn't realised just how much the weight restricted me, and how far I have come. I am very proud of myself and as the tears run down my cheeks, I know I will never go back to the place I was a year ago.