Rev Gav

On a health kick!

I already knew I drank too much alcohol. I liked the buzz and the numbness, and I drank something most nights, with regular binging. I’m not sure I would class myself as an alcoholic, but I was certainly weak-willed when someone poured me a glass of red. A glass would turn into two glasses and before long a bottle would be polished off and another being opened. I also knew I wasn’t doing enough exercise. It was almost impossible to walk or cycle from home in Bermuda, the roads being too dangerous, and I’m not a big swimmer. I was worried about my health and my weight gain, and I also suffered from chronic stomach acid and heartburn. I was going through a bottle of antacids per week and in bed, I couldn’t lie on my right side as I would cough, and cough.

On Monday 28th July I saw my doctor and he confirmed my fears. The red warnings glowed from the screen as we reviewed my blood test results. I had high cholesterol, high glucose, low testosterone, and a 4.6% increased chance of a heart attack. I received the wake-up call that something had to change.

I had previously engaged in Dry January and cut alcohol out of my diet, but I hadn’t made any other health changes, and in fact I increased my consumption of curry and pizza to make up for the lost calories! This time I decided to cut my carbs, red meats, spicy foods, and eat healthily. I also committed to walking at least 5K per day.

Here I am, almost three weeks in and the change has been astronomical. My diet has consisted of low cal yoghurt, lots of varied fruit, salads, and chicken with a few oats and other minor carbs from veggies thrown in (and the odd little naughty treat). I confess that the first two weeks were pretty grim. I felt tired and occasionally dizzy, but the last few days I have felt much more normal. I have begun to lose weight, I am sleeping way more (11 hours one night!), and the stomach acid problems have gone completely, in fact, they disappeared almost immediately.

Something else I have noticed is just how good everything now tastes. A quick Google search and I discovered that heavy or excessive alcohol consumption can impair your sense of taste, making it harder to perceive different flavours. Well, there you go!

It’ll be interesting to see if I can keep this health kick going and how I will feel in an other three week’s time. Here’s hoping! Cheers!! x