A walk in the park

[The_Seasider]

Hi, Having been relatively active playing football and golf and other sports after I gave up smoking at 30 by my mid 40's I was overweight which was largely hidden by my 6 foot 3 inches height. In 2007 I was diagnosed with Hodgkin Lymphoma. The welcome weight loss which followed was as dramatic as the weight I piled on once the treatment ended. In 2013 I took up Walking Football as apart of a local age Uk Initiative for older men's health and continued to play golf. This was physically demanding there were some side effect issues from my illness and I made no adjustment to my diet which was actually good but I was also eating a lot of unhealthy stuff on top at the time and took no further exercise. Finally in November after a health check-up my BP was beginning to show a concern as was my weight which was in excess of 20 Stone. Later that month I began walking at lunchtimes around 2 miles 2-3 times a week. I also completely changed my diet and after a few weeks I increased my walking to each work day. In January 2017 my partner bought me a fitbit wristband and I started recording my fitness. I was never interested in using it to motivate me but simply to record my progress. At this time I started to include walking at weekends. The improvements to my health and fitness have been achieved on my own terms with activities that fit around my lifestyle and are sustainable. The weight loss has loss been a welcome addition. At the time of joining HealthUnlocked I am able to enjoy the active sports I play and the benefits are so enormous I just don't have time to mention them on here. However, massive credit to the organisations that took up the older men's health initiative. Whilst returning to playing football alone would not have made a serious difference to my lifestyle at that time it was instrumental to introducing me to take up a healthier lifestyle to enjoy the playing the game I have loved being involved with since schooldays and I cannot thank them enough. I have now completed 10 years in remission from illness and the exercising and my diet are a normal part of my life my goal would be finally record a normal BMI in the near future something I haven't been able to do since my 20's and then maintain it - wish me luck!

[moreless Administrator 7 stone]

Hi and welcome, The_Seasider

Thanks so much for such a positive and inspiring post, I'm sure it will give many of us hope to keep going and never give up

As you are already following a healthy lifestyle, I'm not sure how else we can help you, but I shall give you all our newbie info, for you to peruse and leave the rest up to you

Take a look at the Pinned posts section to the right of your screen (bottom if you're using a mobile), or in the drop down on the 'Posts' page (it says 'arrange by'). Read the Welcome Newbie thread, then move through to the challenges, where we hope you'll find at least one that will appeal to you.

Move down to the Topics, to find a variety of threads, collated into specific topics for ease of access and we ask that you also 'file' your own threads, so that others won't miss your important news.

Take a look at the NHS 12 week plan, as a lot of people have been successful with it, making sure to enter your details into the NHS BMI calculator, to get a calorie allowance tailored to your personal requirements. Don't forget to take your starting measurements and a 'before' picture, as they can be very motivating on days that the scales refuse to co-operate.

To the right of the HOME page (bottom on a mobile), you'll find Events. In there, you'll find links to our daily Weigh-in's (you will choose just one day per week), our Daily Diary, where we post our menu and exercise plans, for accountability, advice and support and our “What's happening today” thread, where we pop in for a chat.

Be aware, that the HU app doesn't give you access to all of our important features, so we advise that you use the full website page.

We've found that to get the best out of this community, we need to be active on the forum, as it's where we exchange information, get motivation and inspiration and make friends. We hope that you'll join us here, regularly, too.

It's only left for me to wish you continued success for your journey and the exulted healthy BMI and maintenance

[jennilou Restart Jan 2024]

Sounds like you have made all the right changes and it can only get better. Good luck:))

[13Valerie]

Wishing you all the success and happiness in the world. You're doing great. Well done and keep us updated.