What Ho!
Once again - I forgot a digest for last week. This is symptomatic of my current imbalance.
Listeners of Stationery Adjacent, a podcast I record with Justin Twyford will know that I am keen to lose weight. Never exactly slim, my profile has ballooned since last autumn, taking me to an all time top-weight. So, I resolved to eat less and move more. For eating less, I'm using all the help I can get, specifically Mounjaro, one of the new wonder drugs. More of that in a minute. Moving more, I'm walking, and I have taken up Padel. Now that summer is here, I'm beginning to swim too.
Along with Ozempic and Wegovy, Mounjaro suppresses appetite. I won't get into all the medical detail, there are plenty of places the reader can find that, but it does exactly that. I'm not hungry. It's no surprise then, that I don't eat as much.
I'm told that some are sniffy about these drugs online. Quelle surprise! Any plus size person will gladly tell you a hundred stories about barbs they have received, judgements they have been subject to throughout their lives. Being big, fat, obese (choose your own adjective) always brings out the worst in other people for some reason. At some point, I hope we realise that good people come in all sorts of shapes and sizes. I'm big enough for it to be unhealthy for me - and big enough to want to change. So - I'm taking action. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but trust me when I say, the only comment I, or anyone else making a positive change wants to hear is: "That's great! Well done you. I'm sure you'll smash it." Just so you know.
One thing I'm aware of is that when I stop taking the drug, my appetite will return. So, I'm regularly seeing a nutritionist, re-educating myself on how to eat. It sounds a bit silly, I know, but I'm looking at this time as a chance to ingrain new habits and adopt new attitudes.
A golfing buddy set up an "Introduction to Padel" session for any of us that were interested. One game, I was hooked. It's far more aerobic and intense than golf, meaning that I can burn calories faster. So, Padel can take an hour two from my schedule, where golf used to take entire days. I play three or four times a week. If you haven't tried Padel - give it a go. Clubs are popping up like mushrooms, all over the place.
Now - walking. The old timers know how much I enjoyed walking the Camino de Santiago, and Stu, my best mate and walking buddy will be joining me on another long walk soon, with a new friend called Debbie. Debbie is a writer, an excellent one, and great person too. For reasons that will be elucidated in another post, Debbie wants to do a long walk for charity (and Stu is going to join us). Debbie and I have started doing some training, getting some miles into the legs - first up here in the village, then down at the beach and this weekend, down in the big city. Our first milestone is on June the 28th, a ten mile walk for charity, called "13 Bridges". The sharp-eyed will note that this is a walk in London. We're not going there - we're walking an alternative route, raising money for the same charity, the Soldiers', Sailors', and Airmen's Families Association (SSAFA).
My Dad was in the Royal Air Force for his entire working life. He met my Mum in Aden, Yemen, where she was serving in the Woman's Royal Air Force. I'm incredibly proud of them both. Both Debbie and her husband Allan served in the British Army. Those who serve deserve our gratitude, and sometimes, they and their families need a little help - and that's where SSAFA comes in. So - if can spare a little cash, sponsor me here.
I'm throwing all my energy into losing weight and getting fitter. As always with me, I can go over the top, becoming obsessed with my primary goal to the detriment of other obligations - including sending you an update.
The weight loss is going well. I've lost 13 kg or so, which is 28 lbs, or two stone. I want to lose a lot more, and anticipate carrying on for another year.
Writing
Stuart Lennon
Stuart Lennon
Right. Stuff to do.
Have a great week - and be nice to each other.
