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Early in 2014 I was in a pretty bad place, emotionally and physically. My health had been rubbish for months - years probably. Things finally came to a head, and I was diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes.

My lovely Diabetes Nurse told me quite forcefully that it was a long slow look at a depressing future - we could slow things down, but I was facing a life injecting insulin somewhere in my future.
I was furious and frustrated, but she was dismissive when I suggested that I might be able to do something to help myself... which was exactly what I needed to grit my teeth and set myself a goal to prove her wrong.

And so I began walking. It had somehow slipped my attention that I had managed to move from 'solidly-built' to 'properly obese', and I now had at least 7 stone to lose. I knew it wasn't going to be fast or easy, but I had to start somewhere. And I just knew that with a little grit and determination it was possible; even if I couldn't cure the diabetes, I could only feel better by getting slimmer and fitter.

So first I walked. Once, then twice a day. Then I cycled. Eventually I ran. I didn't diet - I love my food too much. But I did make better choices. I watched my portions, cut the junk and just chose the healthier option.
And as the weight dropped away, my health returned by the bucket...

Just nine months later my GP declared I was no longer diabetic.
I had actually lost the six stone, and no longer needed daily doses of metformin - and along the way I'd cured my IBS, my perpetual joint issues, my back pain and entirely refound my life again! You can see a longer story here 
http://www.courtenayphotographic.co.uk/news/healthy-wealthy-or-wise/

Needing a new target to keep moving forwards, I joined the local gym (so far I had worked entirely alone, being too embarrassed to heave my bulk out in public...), where the scarily amazing Pete Roper (The OffRoad Running Guru - http://www.peteroper.com/ ) suggested that I might really 'enjoy' training for, and then completing, THE BEAST - Poole Athletic Club’s 14 mile multi-terrain event around the punishing Dorset coastline.

While I'm not sure 'enjoy' is the word I'd use, I was definitely in need of a new challenge, and this seems like a great way raise some money for Diabetes UK to spread awareness. 

Type 2 Diabetes IS manageable - and even reversible - if you can be helped and supported into making some life changes. I'd love it if you could support in any way you can - and thanks for just taking the time to read this far :)

Courtenay.

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