This blog is from one of our members Neil Smith about his keto lifestyle journey and is purely based on his journey, feelings and thoughts.
I started to put weight on many years ago after an accident that left me in a wheelchair for 18 months. From here thing began to change. I got diagnosed with under active thyroid over 25 years ago and my medication kept increasing up to 275mg. I did the usual weight watchers and slimming world also tried the Atkins diet. I tried the egg diet and the green tea. On all of these I was successful for a short period but then found myself putting on more weight than I originally started with. At my heaviest I was over 30 stone in weight. I was diagnosed with diabetes and again my medication increased to 2000mg of metformin unfortunately because of my lifestyle and eating whatever I wanted my diabetes spiralled out of control and I then got put onto canagliflozin 100mg. This was a second level to try to control my diabetes.
This wasn't the only issues I had whist been at this weight.
My testosterone level had plummeted and I now could not perform in the bedroom. I ended up having to take Viagra for this.
Another side effect of the extra diabetes medication was the fact I could no longer hold my urine for more than around 20 to 30 minutes. The answer to this was Tena man, incontinence pads.
50 years old and I felt like 90 years old.
Through my own fault and over eating, incorrect foods I was not only ruining my life but also others.
I could no longer put my sock on myself without a real struggle. I couldn't tie my shoes. My whole life was a struggle.
I had horrible knee pain and unable to walk round a supermarket without serious pain.
My fitness level was zero and I got out of breath just walking around.
Buying clothes was an issue as I needed 6 or 7xl and such a limited choice.
The final straw for me was chest pains. I kept this to myself and didn't want to worry anyone. Drinking antacids all the time to try and stop it but in my mind, I knew what was going to happen if I didn't do something fast.
This was the turning point for me.
