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I know that most of us, like to hear good, positive and successful stories about others, which in the short & possibly long run, can be of tremendous encouragement and motivation, in assisting us to achieve our own realistic and personal goals. To be quite honest this unhealthy eating and living routine of mine, has been going on, for more than 30 years. But it's been more than just eating incorrectly. I used to also smoke approx 40 cigarettes per day. On 1st January 2007 I quit smoking "cold turkey". I was afraid that the volumes were reaching dangerous levels. That basically, is when my weight sky rocketed to nearly 130 kg in a very short space of time. I should weigh approx 95 kg for my age, height and frame. I started feeling ill approx. 9 to 10 weeks ago, and after undergoing a series of medical examinations with "full house" blood tests, was advised by the family doctor to seriously change my eating habits and lose some serious weight pronto, otherwise I was told that I would develop diabetes. I must say he (the doctor) was quite direct and pulled no punches when he told me of some of the scary and horrible symptoms I could expect, such as kidney failure and potential amputations, to mention just a few. I decided I would sort things out myself, by studying up, everything I could get my hands on about diabetes via the internet. Very soon I came across the Gifsa website, and ordered all the books except the one for kids. I also decided to subscribe to become a GI Smart Club member, because I wanted to get my hands on the menu plans advertised. In the last six to seven weeks my own personal knowledge of diabetes, and eating correctly has increased a hundred fold, thanks mainly to the Gifsa website, their books and now the weekly newsletter. I personally have no doubt in my mind, that I am on the road to a 100 % sustainable, healthy eating and living routine and that this is mainly attributable to two factors: i) Available information available from the Gifsa website, books and newsletter. ii.) My own personal commitment to find a solution to the problem. Without information & knowledge one can do nothing, but in the same breath, one can easily say, that without the commitment to do something or find a solution, all the information in the world, is useless and worthless. I've tried many different diets in the past, but not one, really worked in keeping the weight off. I found most of them also very difficult to stick to, since I was always hungry. I now eat much more food and more often than before. But it's different food and I am not hungry anymore. Also I know exactly what I am eating, the food's GI & GL values, as well as its fat, CHO, protein and KJ values. Why would I want to go to these lengths. It's quite simple really. I want to live a long and healthy life. Which I nearly threw away. It's so much easier, doing it the GI way. I know, because I am doing it - presently. In 7 weeks I have lost 12,5 kilograms in weight and nearly 8cm around my waist. My blood glucose levels (fasting) have decreased from over 8,0 (pre- diabetic) to 5,6 (upper level normal). Family, friends and business colleagues have already told me that I'm looking much better. The way I see it at the moment, is that this is easy, and I'm enjoying doing it. So, I'm going to continue doing it, until I reach my own personal target, to lose 30 kg by June 2010. In the meantime, I'm learning to eat the correct way and unlearning all the bad old habits. I'm also making a name for myself, within my own family, because I now cook the best with the Gifsa recipes. Just by the way, I've also started doing some exercise (cardio & strength training) at home, every second day. This helps a lot as well. Previously, whenever I felt like doing some exercise, I'd go and lie down, until the feeling went away!! Its been an amazing, wonderful and eye opening journey, so far. Kind Regards Richard Smit. Johannesburg |