Go See Your Quack

The NHS is running a scheme to monitor people between the ages of 40 and 70 (I call it the old farts scheme).   The idea is that various aspects of your health, lifestyle (exercise, alcohol intake etc.) and family history are assessed.   This yields a percentage rating of the likelihood of developing type 2 diabetes in later life.   Score 20% or higher, and you are referred to your G.P. for further advice.   I did the test last week and results were encouraging.

Blood glucose: Normal
Cholesterol level 4.0
Blood pressure 125/80.

I scored 10%   The nurse thought this was a little high.   We both agreed this was probably because my weight is a 'little' high.   I just need to lose another 20kg!

A Series of Unfortunate Events

I've been investigating what causes high blood pressure, heart disease, increased levels of 'bad' cholesterol, adult onset diabetes etc. and was surprised to learn that the above conditions may be brought on simply by being overweight.   Being overweight may be linked to increased stress, which triggers surges of cortisol in the blood which could be behind "comfort eating" - how many of you reach for food when stressed?   I plan to read up a lot more on this, but it seems obvious that reducing stress can have significant benefits to one's health.   I damaged my right shoulder some months ago, and have not been able to exercise properly since.   It is annoying how losing the partial use of one arm can impact almost every kind of sport or exercise regime.   That said, there must be something else I can do, so I shall be genning up on exercise and relaxation techniques.   More to follow in due course.

Blood Pressure

I've been told on more than one occasion that my diastolic BP is too high.   Well, since embarking on this fat loss malarky, it has dropped a bit.   I shall do some reading on the subject, and perhaps I can help it to drop some more. . . we shall see.

Slacker

To be fair, I have been slacking of late.   If I stay focussed, everyone around me should benefit, not just me.   Need to keep the holistic view in mind.

Oh the shame

I'm in the process of redacting a stash of photos, and will publish them HERE very soon.

Mmmm

The previous week I had chips and stuff, some drinks, a Chinese meal out with the family with a few drinks, and a few drinks more.   Now what am I supposed to be doing again?

Whoops

Three bottles of Magners and a few gin and tonics, then came the late night feast of cheese on toast.   Never mind.   As the old saying goes "the man who never made a mistake never made anything".