On my way

[chelles]

Hi all I have just had a health wake up call I am overweight borderline diabetic and have high blood pressure also been told my heart is enlarged so a month ago I turned my life around I have lost 1 stone 3 pounds and am trying to move more . I would be grateful for feedback or any suggestions that can help me further. X

[fibronfedup]

Well done on your amazing loss so far!! Good for you!! You should be so proud! You have obviously found what works for you. Best advice i can give you really is take it one day at a time, set smaller goals to aim for each time, and experiment with food so you dont get bored. Have you had a look at the 12 week plan? Its a great place to start or get a boost, easy to fit around all lifestyles. Keep up the good work and hopefully you can reverse what the doctor said.

[Penel]

Well done on turning your life around Chelles, it's not an easy thing to do.

Keep going with what you are doing. My advice would be to buy the best quality food you can afford and cook from scratch whenever possible. Your health and well being are worth it.

[Jenever]

Well done Chelles for doing so well, it must have been a shock to get that news from your doctor but you took control and have started to turn your life around. Take a look at the NHS 12 week plan I find it very good and the information on the website is useful. I try to log on to this forum at least once a day to read the posts, there are some very helpful and inspirational people here and it helps to read their news. Good luck to you and here's to improved health for you in the future.

[Ros1]

Well done chelles on this brilliant start to your new life! The advise I was given when I started my journey regarding exercise was to initially to just try to take short walks around my garden or to the top of the lane where I live, anything to get me moving a bit more.

I gradually managed to walk a little bit more as I lost more weight and then finally got the courage 9 months later to go to a 50+ swimming session at my local leisure pool, this was a year ago. I suggest you think if there is any interest you have that would get you out and about more. For example visiting a park or special garden or going to the beach if you have one near. I found going somewhere I enjoyed encouraged me to walk more.

I can't believe that I now swim 600 metres once or twice a week, walk 5 miles a couple of times a week and do a yoga class once a week. I hope you are able to find a way to reach your goals and this improves your health.

Ros xx

[Jenica]

Chelles you are doing the right thing by losing weight, try and do some form of activity to keep sugar levels within limit. I used to be diabetic Spn nurse and the difference in sugar levels etc when patients lost weight/exercised was really great. Get repeat fasting blood sugar test in about 6mths/12mths after losing weight and you'll be surprised at results. Ok it could be that it is not weight related DM but losing the weight will be such an improvement for your health and benefit you in so many ways. Unfortunately with DM if you did have to go onto medication/insulin then tablets do put on weight [except metformin] so really Keep going!

[sueper in reply to Jenica]

Hi Jenica. I am confused about the whole sugar thing - how does exercise help sugar levels? Will exercising more help lower my sugar levels? I am not diabetic but being overweight I do worry about it and I have a sweet tooth.

Thanks in advance

[Jenica in reply to sueper]

As you are not Diabetic don't worry Sueper. But with exercise, even fast walking, your heart beats faster, muscles use glucose [sugar in blood stream] This can lower sugar levels, it also makes the insulin in body work better. Sorry for delay in writing, school hols so got grandchildren each day.

[sueper in reply to Jenica]

Thanks Jenica. That is good to know, I will keep up with my exercising then

[Jenica in reply to sueper]

glad to help-exercise is key word!