Author: shoutyourheadoff

I am one more week away from my goal of weight reduction and diabetes reversal. The good news is that my weight is halfway to my target and my sugar levels are doing ok, but not great. But I am not feeling dejected at the diabetes target, not being achieved in the eight week period. It is a tall order for such a dramatic achievement, and am certain that eventually,I will achieve my goal.

I have had sleepless nights all week, possibly from long covid. It is one of the side effects of covid 19. I don’t like to make excused and say that my diet is being affected by sleepless nights. Although not sleeping enough has its own knock-on effects, I have not let this get in the way. It’s a tougher slog, but very doable. My exercise level has increased by 15 minutes from an hour. I’m still practising my walks to achieve the 10000 steps a day challenge that I am taking from the 1st of March, for the Marie Curie cancer care charity. I’m including the link for the donations if anyone wishes to do so. No pressure though!

The mental state is good. I have found that meditating daily, even for short half-hour sessions can be very helpful in achieving the calmness of the mind, gaining perspective for your daily life and achieving your best potential. Mediating, for me, was quite difficult for me in the beginning because I could not concentrate my mind on the techniques. I say perseverance is the key, but the most important thing is either doing it alone in a quiet place or in a group session where everyone is on the same path. Good luck to all that may take on this very important part of our lives.

So, this is my update for week 7. So close to my target and yet so far. But stay with me, as your continued support is my encouragement. Take care and be safe…….

Back so quick after my delayed input last week. The diet is still on track and today’s weigh-in showed the same small difference as last week, which is just under a kilo. The blood pressure and sugar readings have steadied markedly. I.E Blood pressure is normal and sugar levels are below 8 every day. This means I am feeling much better in myself, and my hands are not as shaky as before.

My exercise regime is continuing with me having added an elliptical trainer to my equipment along with a different static bike which I was lucky enough to source from Facebook for only £15! Yes, £15 only. I can’t believe it myself as they are both very good makes.

What about my food? Well, I did lapse once during the week and had too much carbohydrate in the diet. The dreaded plate of chips. I have been very good though, having almost taken bread and potatoes out of my diet, replacing it with pasta made from peas, adding a small sweet potato or butternut squash. all within acceptable limits, otherwise I will be fighting a losing battle.

And my mental well being has been tested once more as the quest for my goal continues and without going into detail, just like buses, trouble comes in three’s. Maybe, when I am up to revealing things, I might write in a future week. But for now, it’s locked away. I know that the readers of my story will be keen to learn what has happened, but do not worry. It is all in hand.

I was encouraged to seek employment today by, someone, I know through Facebook and so I took the steps necessary and created a CV. It’s very short as I was employed for 35 years with the same company!

And to top that, I was in conversation with a car mechanic about fixing my daughter’s car and we got chatting about things. He asked me if I would like to work for him in an admin capacity 3 to 4 days a week. I am truly blessed is how I feel, when an opportunity comes knocking at your doorstep.

My next write up should be with more good news I hope. Until next week…..!

Once again a delay in my update. I’m almost into week 4! The diet has been going well and the progress is slow but on track. Another kilo down, with eight more to go. The App I am using has predicted a that I should weigh 83.1kg in five weeks if I carry on the way I am doing. It has been tough though. There are moments when I feel so down, I feel like just stopping and enjoying what I have left. Then, my thinking process brings me back to my goal. I keep reminding myself that if I want to enjoy life as I want to, then having a healthy body, and mind will be better than struggling through. For example,I had covid in early January of 2021, and the breathing problems I had after I got discharged, were so frustrating and debilitating, that it was at this low point that I had made up my mind to get fit again. The exercise regime I followed was as recommended by the physio at the hospital, and I persevered. Not being able to climb the stairs without getting breathless to walking continuously for over an hour on a treadmill and using the indoor cycle, gave me the boost I needed, mentally to achieve this goal I have set for myself. When I said, it’s been tough, this is mainly because of maintaining a single person diet that is enjoyable, interesting and not hard to cook or create. I’m learning new tricks, creating my own recipes that suit my lifestyle and taste. For example, I created a scrambled tofu recipe, with peppers, tomato and onions, with garlic as optional to have in a wrap or on toast or by itself.

The exercise routine has been hard to keep up it this week because of family demands. But I am now on track again since today. I invested in a static cycle and elliptical trainer. Now I have to make use of them daily by setting myself goals.

What is my mental/emotional status? That’s one for later. I believe that if the mindset falters, all goals fall by the wayside. And I must say that doing things alone is doable but harder I think. It’s like not being able to show someone your pride in yourself for your achievements, getting that well done pat on the back. Sounds egotistic right? It’s my state of mind. Although these things don’t normally bother me, when the gloom button hits the mind, so does the negative thinking get worse.

Let’s see what week 4 brings…..soon

I am a few days late updating my log of the story of the new beginnings. But better late than never, I say. Seriously, though, due to bereavements in the family and covid related illnesses, my focus was elsewhere. Thankfully, it wasn’t me who had the Covid symptoms but a family member. I still managed to keep to my diet and although I did not get the desired weight loss, I am on track.

Emotionally, it’s been a tough two weeks. Nothing to do with the diet though. I learnt yesterday, that a childhood friend of my wife has lymphoma- cancer of the glands in the neck and is seriously ill. I’m praying for her daily now. The news came as a shock to me. I had not heard from her for nearly a year and I was feeling a bit peeved at not receiving any contact. But I haven’t stopped castigating myself for this feeling I had towards her and am constantly berating myself. You never know the circumstances of someone and having negative views had made me rethink how I feel about close friends who have not stayed in touch. Maybe, they are thinking the same as I am, because I didn’t stay in touch either.

So I managed to lose only another half a kilo, but small losses over the eight-week target should show the result I am after which is a 10-kilogram weight loss and a possible very positive result with my diabetes’ reversal progress. I have maintained my exercise regime of walking, indoor cycling and stretching daily.

I also learned from other people who have had strict regimes in their lifestyle. Like eating freshly cooked homemade meals everyday, within diet limits. No junk food or outside sourced food at all. Three meals a day and the last meal of the day should be 6.30pm latest. After that, early to bed for a minimum eight hours sleep. Apparently, the brain works even harder during our sleep, so this is most important for the brain and body to get a really good night’s sleep.

The above is very hard to follow in today’s busy lifestyles. Maintaining a certain strict regimen in your life takes some doing, especially if you’re in a family unit that has differing dietary needs. But now that I have managed to bring some form of regular eating and exercise habits in my life, I am feeling much better. My body doesn’t ache anymore and my moods are much better, meaning I have clearer thinking through the day. I feel confident, better about myself and look forwards to getting up. I enjoy cooking, experimenting with new dishes that are not fattening, but definitely wholesome.

Looking forward to write my next update again in week 3…….