“Born in the early fifties food was basic and not in great abundance. I was always an active child and enjoyed spending my free time roaming over fields and the local moors.

After school I went into the army. I was posted in a unit that was part of NATO’s front line against the east. I spent a lot of my time in Norway where I trained in winter warfare. I also learnt to ski and I went on to become a ski instructor.

After the army I went into nursing and met my wife, she was a skier too. As a family we went on winter holidays to resorts in Europe and the USA. Summer holidays were spent walking and cycling in the Lake District. We would water ski with good pals who had motorboats moored on Lake Windermere. With the good pals we would also undertake long distance walks. In short I am trying to paint a picture of an active family.

In my forties I started to feel the effect of this activity with osteoarthritis of my ankle and life slowed down dramatically. I started to gain weight. Eventually the osteoarthritis resulted in ankle and knee replacement surgery. My wife would actively modify my food intake and try and keep the weight off.

In my late forties my wife was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease. I looked after her at home and encouraged her to eat high calorie foods whilst she could still swallow. I ate the same meals and as a result put on significant weight.

When she died I was the heaviest I have been.

I went on to develop high blood pressure, fatty liver, high cholesterol, type 2 diabetes as well as some gastric reflux and sleep apnoea. 

In January 2023 I volunteered to participate in a lifestyle programme being run by Townhead Surgery. Having started the course with scepticism, it was such a joy to do.

Over 10 weeks we were encouraged to adopt a whole food plant rich diet, incorporate physical activity into our daily routine, improve sleep quality, avoid alcohol and caffeine, manage stress and develop healthy relationships with friends and family.

I have lost three stone in weight (old money). I have reversed my diabetes and fatty liver and have been able to stop some of my medications.  I sleep very well and my wife is happy that I no longer snore. I enjoy taking daily walks.

I feel so much better in my self. It seems to me that lifestyle medicine is the way forward”.

A big thanks to Steve for sharing his story. If you would like to share yours please get in touch using the link at the bottom of the page.

This month’s recipe

This month’s recipe was shared by Kath.

Kath says “The only difference I made was to bake the dish in the oven for about 20 minutes at the end rather than put it under the grill. It’s one I’ll add to my collection and certainly make again”.

This month’s walk

This 6 mile loop leaves from Horton in Ribblesdale and climbs Pen-y-ghent. Set off in the early evening to see the sun setting over Ingleborough.

This month’s lifestyle fact

Berries contain nearly 10 times more antioxidants than other fruits and vegetables.

If you would like to share any of your favourite recipes/ walk ideas/ tips/ stories/ books/ podcasts please get in touch, I’d love to hear from you. Feel free to forward to your friends if they would like to be added to the mailing list.