Blonde will get you fit 2023

[EssexPhil]

I'm in my early 60s (62). Diagnosed as Type 2 a year ago, although it seems that I have had it for at least 12 years.

Retired 11 years ago, simply because I felt unwell. At the time I was 21 stone. Now 16.5 stone. Still refuse to run-but I walk a lot.

Essential to be as good as possible with taking Metformin. It really isn't a big deal. Whereas not taking it can quickly turn into a very big deal. Things start failing-of course they do. But we have to adjust with age.

Take smoking, for example. The mortality tables suggest that smoking is particularly age-sensitive. The surprise is that smoking in your 20s/30s isn't as big a deal as some make out (although there will always be some who are unlucky). Contrast with smoking in your late 50s/60s. When it is a big deal.

My poker has changed a lot as a result. I cannot fully concentrate for as long or as often as I once did.

[tikay]

Phil, SO pleased to see you here.

Hope you hand around, would be really cool if you did.

[EssexPhil]

Hi Tony. Hope you are well.

Miss the Sky Forum. But what made it special was you and a few posters.

Think I will hang around. Tried Discord a while back-not for me.

[Doobs]

Just another update before I get off.  Went below 90kg for the first time in many years (at least 20?) earlier today. 

Did my last trip to the gym before Vegas a couple of days ago.  I seem to have got over the worst and could run for 10 minutes again.

It was pretty astonishing really.  Am on 800 calories a day, so was expecting it to be tough, but I was running quicker than before the diet started, which wasn't unexpected.  What I didn't expect was my heart rate was down in the 140s and I wasn't sweating.  Before the diet I'd have been in the late 150s/early 160s and sweating pretty severely at the same speed. It may have been a one off, but makes me optimistic as to what I can do when I start eating properly again.

I seem to have lost a few of the issues that I was putting down to old age before.  Eg I had started to struggle tying my laces, like losing my breath.  That has gone completely now.  Am begining to think a lot of the things I thought were age related, were weight related.

Another thing I didn't expect is that the shakes seem to be getting even less appetising over time.  Like a couple of flavours I can barely touch now. I really thought I'd get used to it, but some days I feel like I'd rather have nothing, and am genuinely hungry when I think this! 

[tikay]

Hi David.


Goodness me, this struck a chord with me...


"I had started to struggle tying my laces, like losing my breath"


These days, tying my shoelaces is a task, after which I need a few minutes to get my breath back. It's one of those little things I've come to dread. In fact, for the most part, I try to wear "slip-ons" so I don't have to bend down. My golf shoes are traditional laced shoes though & that's a struggle.

And when I "tee up" my ball on the tee, I can no longer bend at the waist comfortably, I have to sort of squat with bended knees like I'm having a shit. My golf pals don't say anything or mock but I'm sure they notice.

Anyway, on to happier matters, look forward to seeing you here in a day or so. Believe it or not, I never saw Stu Rutter once during that Limit O8 WSOP thing. We're in the same room but there are a sea of faces. I did see Rob a few times though.

[Doobs]

Hi Tony.

Well I can definitely tie my shoelaces more easily now.

Yesterday I hit 82.9kg. it doesn't seem to be anything special, but is the exact spot (to 1 decimal place) where I get healthy weight on the BMI calculator.  I have been overweight, or obese for well over 20 years, and yesterday I wasn't.  I did celebrate with a bacon sandwich and the tiniest bit of fruit pie later, and now I am the wrong side of the line again.  I have done over 15 kgs since I was told I needed to go on the diet (3 or 4 of those kgs were lost pre shakes).

I am definitely keeping up the shakes for now, but now I have made it past 9 weeks I am going to vary my diet a bit more.  So more 2/3 shakes plus normal food rather than 4 shakes.  Need to get more below 82.9, so I can have the odd cake without going overweight.

The health changes have been quite significant.  My blood pressure is down about 20%. My HbA1c test for blood sugar is down from 61 (type 2 diabetes is 48) to 37. I am no longer taking Metformin and feeling way more healthy.  Would love to know my cholesterol results, as they have been crap for some time. Think I might have beaten sleep apnoea too, but that is harder to judge, as I am asleep when it happens. I am definitely sleeping better though.  Will also try and get running hard again now the calories will increase.

Four 200 calorie shakes a day never stops being grim though!  Now need to just keep healthy. 

[EssexPhil]

Very well done on the weight loss.

BMI calculators are a guide. And not a particularly good one at that. Simply because the correct weight for everyone varies enormously. As an example, it is patently ridiculous to use length only when discussing mass. Waist size is (so I'm told) more important

What is far more important are the personal goals. Weight loss. The decrease in blood pressure. The reduction in blood sugar. Feeling better. All of which you are doing.

Metformin isn't for everyone. But I do hope you have spoken to your Diabetic Nurse about alternatives. I have just had my first annual review. As I understand it, it is now standard to tell you your cholesterol, and also to test for B12 levels-it has (so I'm told) only recently been discovered that there is a link between the 2. That and a 30% increase in chance of dementia Also suggest that you enquire about whether you can go on the "Ascend" trial. Oxford Uni are doing a big trial about (free) semaglutides and diabetes.

There is a lot of debate about what is, or is not, Type 2 Diabetes. For example, my Doctors say the "safe" level is 58, and that once you are over that number Diabetes is irreversible.

I can only dream of reaching your weight. But have knocked it down over 10 years from 140kg to 106kg.  And in the last year my blood sugar has gone from 101 to 41, together with a drop of 15% on blood pressure/25% cholesterol.

Something I learned on a course recently. Do you know why Weetabix is always sold in multiples of 6? So that once a week you can reward yourself with a nice Breakfast.

Enough wittering. Just wanted to say well done.

[Doobs]

Thanks

BMI was just my own target, just because I knew it was a little bit more than the 15kg that was the target in the diet.  Seemed a shame to not hit it. Similarly 13st isn't far away at all, so would be good to hit that then after thar maintain. No point in stopping at 13 stone and a tiny bit.

The diabetic nurse said that she was v pleased with my waist loss rather than weight loss, as that is the bad fat. That has gone from 38 to 34. 

I got cholesterol test results last time, but didn't get given them this time. She told me on the phone. I will ask next time I go in.  Assume it will just have followed everything else down and will now be better.

The removal of Metformin was the nurse's decision, but have noticed no difference in my fasting results since it was removed so seems fine .

 I was told once I had two low HbAc1 test results 3 months apart then I would be in remission, so think that is the aim.  I am still going to be seeing the nurse and can still do fasting blood sugar, so it won't be like I am not getting monitored. 

The shake diet also includes "coaching" for 12 months, but it is mediocre.  I feel like I am just getting standard comments that look like they are kicked out by computer every week on a schedule (eg these are the comments they send everybody on week 9), and of the 3 questions I asked, one took 9 days to get a response and the other two were never answered.  Not at all convinced that any comments are read either, as they ask my questions where I'd literally answered in my comments a few days previously.  Eg I told them my blood sugar results are really good, and a few days later they said I should get an appointment for the exact same blood sugar results in the next two weeks. 

[Mohican]

3 years ago I was able to run ten miles with 35lbs on my back. Then my knee injury occurred, I've had surgery last year and I'm over 16 stone. So, to counter this I've joined a boxing gym last week. I'm also hopefully going to do a White Collar boxing match in December. Enjoying what I've done so far and it's also got me back weight training and diet has improved. Not sure if it's the sort of thing a 52yo should be doing however I've paid my subs and I'm too tight to let that money go begging.

[RED-DOG]

15 kg? Way to go Doobs, that's amazing.

[RED-DOG]

Mohican is 52? FFS!

[Mohican]

Mohican is 52? FFS!

I know it's hard to believe with my boyish good looks.