Losing It

Today’s post is something of a departure from my usual subject matter and could rapidly descend into cringeworthiness.   I’m going to plough on anyway.  Today, I’d like to talk to you about weight loss.  Yes, you heard me right, stop looking at me like that.

About a year ago, I had something of a health scare.  I had a bit of a weird feeling in my chest and, having a family history of heart disease, I panicked and went to the hospital.  I had read the advice on NHS direct and convinced myself that I was having a heart attack.  Internet-based self diagnosis is not necessarily a good thing.  Anyway, it eventually transpired that I had a hiatus hernia, so I’m fine, but this was only discovered months later, and at the time it’s safe to say that I was cacking myself.  It suddenly struck me that if something was wrong with my heart and I dropped dead, then I was entirely to blame.  If you don’t get any exercise and just eat crap then you’ve got no right to complaints.  I immediately knew that I had to change my ways.  It’s like the plot of a bad comedy film.

Exactly a year ago today, I had to go for a stress test on my heart and, as a result, I also got weighed.  It had been a number of years since I’d last stood on the scales and the outcome was horrifying.  I’m too ashamed to share the actual number with you, but it was all the additional incentive that I needed.  Since it’s the anniversary of that day, I decided to get weighed again.  You’ll be pleased to know that I know weigh 5 stones 2 pounds (72 pounds or 33kg) less than I did a year ago.  Yeah, it’s pretty staggering to me too.

At this point, you may be wondering why I’m telling you this.  You may suspect that I’m fishing for compliments or looking to be congratulated.  Rest assured that this isn’t the case.  I’ve had more positive comments in the last few months than any man could cope with.  No, the reason I am writing this post is in the hope that it might be read by someone else who is struggling with their weight and has lost hope that they can ever lose it.  I totally understand where you are because I felt exactly the same way.  If I can do it, then you can too.

You probably won’t be surprised to hear that the main ‘secret’ to my success was eating less and doing more.  It’s not rocket science and we all know that it’s the only real answer.  What I think was crucial in me doing so well, though, was that I have at no point been on a diet.  The key was in making a lifestyle change – I didn’t change my habits to lose weight, I changed them to be able to live a longer, happier life.  As a result, I’ve not followed any strict, unsustainable plans and so it’s been much easier for me not to ‘fall off the wagon’.  There hasn’t been a wagon to fall off.

I won’t say any more.  I suspect that I’ll get some stick for writing this post as it is.  If anybody is genuinely interested in knowing any of the tips and tricks that I’ve used, then please leave a comment.