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.
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!’