For Andrew Jones, seeing specialists for his ‘self-inflicted’ diabetes was the kick in the bum he needed to turn his life around. He’s now fitter, happier – and his diabetes is in remission.
‘When I started to gain a significant amount of weight, I decided denial was my best option. I struggled on for years, tired all the time, and using stairs was akin to torture. I was a stroke or heart-attack waiting to happen, but I just didn't want to admit it. I became very depressed – I didn't like how I looked, I didn't like the restrictions my extra weight was forcing me to deal with and I felt guilty I'd basically done this to myself.
Then I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. I now had 27 pills a day to add to my awful diet. It hit me very hard – not that I had diabetes, but that I had, through my own inaction, brought about my downfall. I fell into a deep depression and just couldn't cope.
My first hospital appointment with the specialist diabetic team was the kick in the bum that I needed. They didn't judge, they just listened and gave me solid practical advice, reminding me that I'm the master of my own fate.
Not diabetes nor depression but determination is the dominant D-word in Andrew’s life now.
My first walk was only a quarter of a mile around the local streets and it nearly killed me! But it was the start of reclaiming the old me. I resolved to walk every day, and by six months I was walking three miles a day, learned to control my blood sugar and started to lose weight.
I discovered #walk1000miles in 2019. The simplicity of the challenge is its greatest strength. It’s our challenge, our way, no frills and no hoops to jump through. The community has been amazing. I love the way people are so genuine – I feel like I have this huge extended family that I can turn to for advice. It’s a real wellspring of support and positive waves.
Walking has helped me become healthier, happier, more confident, and more comfortable in my own skin and in my own head. I hated where I was as a person, and no one but me could make the changes I needed to be happy. I now have the same waist measurement I had when I was 21, my diabetes is in remission, and I'm much, much happier in myself. Was it hard? Yes. Did it hurt? Yes. Was it worth it? Hell yes!’
