I think it would be very remarkable if we didn't succumb to stress and exhibit some sort of symptoms after losing half of ourselves. I realised that I had let myself go completely over the first 12 months or so but reality bit 2 or 3 months ago now. I couldn't get into any of my clothes and was having to buy new trousers etc. I'd put on just over two and a half stones and the ultimate shock was when I went to the doctors for my mot and found out that I was now diabetic.
I've bitten the bullet and have been eating sensibly again and not had a drop of alcohol for 3 months. I've shed just over 2 stone and my weight is still going down but very very slowly now
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In the near future I'm going to go back for another blood test and hopefully my blood sugar will be more under control by then. To be honest I'm finding it harder to eat the right things rather than cutting down on quantity, anyway fingers crossed.
As for pastimes/hobbies, in old posts I've spoken about what a godsend audiobooks have been to me. I have very restricted mobility due to a stroke some years ago and also an old back injury from 40 years back. Our local library provide an online service which is available to all library members. I've worked my way through their selection and I also have a subscription to 'audible.co.uk' for audio books. Being a typical male with a strictlky one track mind, I find that getting engrossed in a book distracts me and stops me from getting too down. My phone is first and foremost a plavback device for the books and radio (radio 4 and radio 4 extra) and I go to sleep every night listening to something. I set the timer for 30 minutes and never hear it switch off.
My other distraction is my computer. I was in IT support before I retired and I run the family helpline. I'm on the committee of our local community centre and look after the website and other things IT related such as poster printing so that's how I fill my days