Jim
Jim was encouraged to lose weight by a nurse after being diagnosed with several health conditions, including type 2 diabetes and atrial fibrillation. Jim joined a weight management group and made changes to his diet, losing 2 stone over 6 months. However, Jim found this affected his mood, and stopped following the program. Jim has since put on some of this weight, in spite of maintaining a good diet and exercise regime. Jim is now maintaining weight at around 79 kilos and would like to reduce this to 77 kilos in the next two months.
Jim has led a reasonably healthy and active lif. He was in the military, and had to keep fit for his job. After leaving this position, Jim set up a teaching business. This put a lot of pressure on Jim mentally, and he suffered a stroke. Although Jim recovered fully, he was diagnosed with several other conditions soon after this, including atrial fibrillation, high blood pressure, sleep apnoea, and type 2 diabetes. Although his health is largely controlled with medication, Jim’s nurse suggested that he would benefit from losing weight. Jim lost 2 stone, but has since put some of this on again.
To lose weight, Jim and his wife Linda joined a weight management program, although Jim didn’t attend the classes, as he was concerned about being the only man there. Jim found this diet effective, and liked how he was able to fill up on free food. However, Jim found having to plan meals and avoid certain foods was a right faf, especially when eating out. Nonetheless, Jim lost 2 stone in around 6 months. Although he felt physically better after losing weight, it affected his mood, I don’t want to be miserable for weeks and weeks and weeks because I’m denying myselfyou feel dow. Jim has since stopped this diet, and has gradually put on some of the weight he lost.
Although he is no longer following the weight management program, Jim continues to make healthy choices. In this, he has been much supported and encourage by his wife Linda. He eats white meat and plenty of vegetables, and reduces his carbohydrate intake through swapping white potatoes for sweet potatoes and swede. When he does have meals like fish and chips, this is made at home to reduce the fat content. Jim also avoids puddings in the week, opting for fruit or yogurts, yet he often has a cake or a pie on Sundays. Jim now weighs himself daily, which encourages him to maintain this diet. Indeed, since finding out he is diabetic, Jim’s diet revolves around his health, and not what he like, there were lots of things that would be a great pleasure to eat, but I don’t do i. Although his heart condition makes exercise difficult, Jim also tries to spend time on his feet, and walk for an hour each day. However, Jim’s weight has continued to rise gradually, and he wonders if this could be affected by his medications, there’s always a very irritating inevitable rise no matter how careful you ar.
Jim feels his care around his conditions has been magnificen. Jim has a good relationship with the nurses at his practice. Although they have suggested he lose weight, they do not force the issue, they’re always gentle and they’re always encouragin. They have offered him advice on his diet, and told him he can still have treat, although Jim would like to be clearer on how often he should do this. Jim feels education around diet at the diabetes clinic he attends twice a year could be improved, as this is not covered in sessions. Although Jim tries not to bother the docto where possible, he would also like more advice on exercising with his conditions, as he isn’t sure how much exercise he can do without putting strain on his body.
Jim feels weight problems generally result from pressures in society, where people are bombarde by food adverts, by businesses whose goal it is to make money. People eat out more than they did in the past, partly because they have more disposable income. However, Jim feels the obesity epidemic; is about more than food, there’s far more going on than just what people eat. It is much deeper seated than tha. He suggests that researchers need to look at wider factors that are contributing to weight gain.
In the future, Jim hopes to lose weight for health reasons, and to make his medication more effective. He is considering returning to the weight management program where he previously lost weight, as well as taking up swimming. Jim encourages others to be activ in managing their weight and their health, it doesn’t matter how old you are, what your disabilities are, you must do physically the most that you can each da. He also suggests that diet should focus less on taste and more on nutrition, get rid of the like; word and don’t eat what you like, eat what you shoul.
Jim is now maintaining weight at around 79 kilos and would like to reduce this to 77 kilos in the next two months.