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Update July 2021

Paulyw74

Member
Messages
17
Hi to all.

I have posted on the forum previously but just wanted to give an update on my latest hba1c results and overall health.

I started off really high in Jan 2020 at 107. Totally unexpected. I was not obese but was overweight and eating all the wrong things. I needed to inject insulin for the first 6 months as my levels were so high, then started to get a bit of a grip! My last 2 hba1c results have been 40 & 41, still taking 1 metformin tablet each day. I didn't want to write a long post but just wanted to make everyone aware of the changes that I made to my lifestyle to achieve these results.

Basically my new lifestyle is:

Intermittent fasting (sort of) - Mon to Fri. No breakfast. Just coffee with cream until lunch, around 11:30-12:00. Lunch no longer consists of a sandwich, crisps, coke, chocolate bars etc. Just rivita or similar with different toppings; cheese spread, ham, etc. All low carb, full fat.

Tea/dinner is all cooked fresh or reheated from previously made fresh. I do allow some rice, potatoes but only small amounts. I've come to enjoy vegetables in ways I never expected!

Deserts are nut bars and dark chocolate. One offs specials are allowed, but are very rare.

Nothing after 8pm. EVER.

I have not gone full keto. Too hard with kids, wife etc.

Other changes to my life: beer/lager are gone. Red wine is my drink of choice but love a brandy or rum mixer.

Exercice: I walk everywhere I can. I also have a 30min walk every lunchtime. I have now actually started running some mornings but only small distances at the moment. I go for early morning bike rides (around 20km) on weekends.

I have lost around 2.5 stone. My waist size has gone from 36 to 30.

I just wanted to put something on here for anyone who wants to know that changes are possible. Be patient, stick with it. Find what works for you. The more I do, the more I feel like doing.

I don't know if the changes I have made will undo the damage I have already done but it doesn't matter. I feel better now than I have for 20 years. I have previously posted that I have a form of arthritis that I assumed meant my fitness was forever restricted but now I am genuinely starting to question what I can achieve.

Thank you to the many people who post on this forum for helping me to achieve these results. Keep posting, it does help.
 
Last edited:
Hi Paul. Thank you so much for your post as it helps me to see that I am doing the right thing. I've struggled with it as I've never reduced carbs or skipped breakfast until the beginning of this week, and had zero confidence. Like yourself. I don't eat now until 11.30/12ish although have extra drinks. You have actually made my day
 
Thanks Paul. It's heartening to know it can fit with a normal life and doesn't need to be extreme or fanatical.
Well done
 
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