Visiting my doctor and announcing that I was about to embark on a get fit program and a new diet was a little like going to confession. Not that I’ve ever been to confession, I’ve hardly ever stepped foot in a church – but I imagine the feeling is the same.
I confessed to walking the dog being my only form of regular exercise. I confessed to eating meals late at night. I confessed to succumbing to the convenience of take away food and I confessed to a great love of ice-cream and chocolate, preferably combined together. He asked me how much I weighed and I confessed to (deep breath) 130 kilos.
The Doctor checked that I was thinking of this as a lifestyle change, something that was forever and not a quick fix. I confirmed that I was. He checked my expectations and timeframes were realistic and I assured him I was working to a five month plan. We discussed the importance of exercise. The Doctor suggested a sport that has a social aspect as other people will harass me to participate if I stop, after discussing my lifestyle and work commitments cycling was also suggested as form of exercise that might work for me.
We checked my blood pressure, it was a little high, but he explained that was expected I am after all, overweight. We drew some blood to be sent off for test, just rule out my weight gain over the last 15 years being the result of an undiscovered medical condition and not McDonalds or KFC.
He suggested that I should only check my weight once a month because in the first few months changing body shape is more important than weight loss. So a measuring tape was recommended over the scales.
At the end of the session my Doctor drew up a simple plan that he wrote on a Post-it note;
No alcohol or sugar
Nothing with over 10% fat
No carbohydrates in the evening
More carbohydrates in the morning, low GI only though
Increase protein
It sounds simple, but I know it’s not. I’ll have to break many habits, my morning habit of an extra large caramel coffee made with full cream milk from my drive through coffee merchant, the convenience of grabbing lunch at the nearest fast food store, my habit of buying a Mars bar at the petrol station, my habit of grabbing a ridiculously large energy drink to get through long days – or days when I’m short of sleep. All of these bad habits and many more I will have to stop – this will be hard.
OUTinPerth’s Editor Graeme Watson and Publisher Alexandra Maltby have taken up the challenge of getting fit and healthy over the next few months. Follow their journey here on our website as well as on our Facebook and Twitter accounts.
Read Graeme’s first blog entry The Time is Now
Read Alex’s first blog entry 40 and Not So Fabulous
