My G.P. told me I need to start taking statins to lower my cholesterol. My cholesterol, blood sugar, and haemoglobin levels are all higher than desirable and I am pre-diabetic (aren’t most people?). She said very clearly that I need to improve my diet and lose weight, and gave me a book the 8-week blood sugar diet by Dr Michael Mosley. We’ve agreed that unless I lose weight I’ll go back in three months and accept the prescription for statins. My G.P. assures me this is essential if I want to avoid heart attacks and strokes. My Cardiovascular Disease Risk is only 4.5%, but as the nurse said, someone has to be in that 4.5%.
I always try to eat healthily with lots of fruit and vegetables, but I also enjoy treats like cake and hot chocolate. I’m extremely cynical about diets, although Dr Mosley makes a good case for his. I just know I would never bother to count calories, or keep to 800 a day as he suggests. However I also don’t want more medication (I already take blood pressure pills) so intend to make an effort, and to cut out (some of the) cake and hot chocolate. My G.P. suggested I avoid “beige carbs”, like potatoes, rice, and noodles. It might also be good to eat less bread. This begins to sound to me like starvation! A friend is currently spending a week living on the rations that would be supplied to a Syrian refugee in a Jordanian Refugee Camp. Can I do something similar? Probably not, but my intention is good.
I’ve always eaten whatever I want, and it may be too late for that to change. We don’t have desserts, but I usually have a piece of cake or biscuit and a hot chocolate before I go to bed. The last two nights I’ve not done this. Dr Mosley says a warm drink is a good way to stave off hunger pangs, so I’m having extra cups of weak black Earl Grey tea – now using the French variety available in bulk at the supermarket. My G.P. says you stop feeling hungry after a couple of weeks. After one whole day of reduced eating my digestion feels better. We shall see!
I don’t expect that I’ll get thin
and I’m quite happy in my skin.
Is being overweight a sin?
Ruth's Reflections 
I stopped eating sugar about 6 years ago and the health benefits have been huge – more energy and much better health. I don’t miss the sweetness at all as the palate adjusts. You can always use a little stevia. I eat paleo bread, which is very filling, seeds, nuts but no flour. It’s an adjustment, but a very worthwhile one. Good luck with the change.
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Thanks, Juliet. I will inquire about paleo bread at Piko Wholefoods across the road.
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Have had same issue myself and after 5 months on “keto” lifestyle – have reversed situation – and lost weight without starvation. You wont regret it – just look for what you can eat and the rest will follow.
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That’s encouraging to know Fiona. I’ve been and bought paleo bread – have yet to try it.
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800 calories a day!! I’d be eating my arm off if that’s all I could have 🙂 I’m a vegan, so eat a plant-based diet, and seem to have avoided the health issues many of my contemporaries have. I’m not a health fanatic, just eat moderately well. Hope things work out for you, too, Ruth.
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Thanks Katrina. I’m not counting the calories. Just hoping that some changes will be enough.
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It’ll be nuts and fruit for morning tea on the beach, then! Although, fruit can be high in sugar…
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I needed to reduce my sugars quickly. I am diabetic and they got badly high. I went on this diet and within a month my sugars were absolutely normal, I had lost 18 ks and felt healthier than I have for years. Honestly…. trouble is carbs started creeping back into my diet, and I am back now at square one. So I found it impossible to maintain this diet, even tho it worked brilliantly.
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Rosslyn, that’s interesting and confirms my belief that diets don’t work long term. Losing 18 kg in a month sounds amazing. I will be happy if I can lose 7kg in three months.
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Hi Ruth, Michael Mosley’s stuff is very good. I am not pre-diabetic and neither are most people in my age group that I know. I have used his Clever Guts diet which I think is excellent to reset my gut microbiome. When I pay attention to what he recommends my energy levels rise considerably. Go well on changing you r eating habits ruth. A change of diet is a challenge, but I think well worth it. I have not counted calories, just taken sugar, gluten and wheat out of my diet.
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Essentially Warm, thank you for your message and encouragement. I shall persevere.
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[…] the past three months I’ve managed to lose six kilos, by altering my eating habits. I’ve cut down on carbs, sugar, and dairy, and my digestion […]
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