{"id":5544,"date":"2019-05-13T10:00:43","date_gmt":"2019-05-13T10:00:43","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/irun.wales\/?p=5544"},"modified":"2019-04-25T11:01:43","modified_gmt":"2019-04-25T11:01:43","slug":"focus-on-diabetes-take-action-against-type-2-diabetes-andrew","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/irun.wales\/cy\/news\/focus-on-diabetes-take-action-against-type-2-diabetes-andrew\/","title":{"rendered":"Focus on Diabetes: Take action against type 2 diabetes – Andrew M"},"content":{"rendered":"

Run Wales will shortly be launching \u2018Step into Action\u2019, a social walk-to-run group in partnership with Diabetes UK Cymru, aimed at encouraging people with diabetes to get active. Over the coming weeks, we\u2019ll be hearing from four runners with type 2 diabetes about what inspired them to start running and what impact it\u2019s had on their diabetes.<\/p>\n

Andrew M<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\"\"Andrew was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in late summer 2016. Andrew says, \u201clooking back, the diagnosis probably shouldn\u2019t have been much of a surprise \u2013 all the warning signs had been there for a while. Recovery from a simple common cold was slow, small cuts took ages to heal, and my tiredness and lethargy were unreal.\u201d Andrew confesses that his lifestyle had much to do with his poor health: \u201cI was living on takeaways, alcohol and sugary drinks, and bars of chocolate when I felt my energy levels were low. It was a downward spiral.\u201d<\/p>\n

The type 2 diabetes diagnosis was the kick-start Andrew needed to improve his health and, with the support of family and friends, he began making positive changes. Adopting a good diet was his first step in the right direction, and he monitors what he eats daily through \u2018My Fitness Pal\u2019. He then started running in 2017 as a challenge for a friend\u2019s 40th<\/sup> birthday year.<\/p>\n

During 2017, Andrew\u2019s father passed away. Andrew says, \u201cbefore he died, my Dad kept telling me that underneath everything there was a handsome man. Now, I hear those words in my head every time the going gets tough, be it on a long run or during one of those days when I\u2019m tempted away from a healthy lifestyle. It\u2019s the push that drives me to stay fit for my sake and that of my family.\u201d<\/p>\n

Andrew now tries to run at least 20\u201330 km per week and, combined with a balanced diet, has lost over 30 kg since his diagnosis. Andrew says, \u201cI\u2019ve been able to control my diabetes with diet and exercise and so far since 2016 each annual diabetes test has shown lower sugar levels. I now enjoy the challenge of beating the sugar score each year!\u201d<\/p>\n

In addition to improving Andrew\u2019s general well-being and helping to control his diabetes, running has brought other benefits. Andrew says, \u201cit gives me time off from the world, space in which to clear my head, a challenge, and the chance to go to some great places.\u201d Various running events have already taken Andrew to Budapest (where he raced against a bus), Munich (where he finished a 10k race with a lap around the Olympic stadium), Stavanger and Spain.<\/p>\n

Andrew found his biggest challenge when he decided to take up running was how he looked. He recollects, \u201cI was a fat, overweight bloke going running. But I shouldn\u2019t have worried \u2013 I\u2019ve had compliments from Commonwealth Champions, Olympians and many more.\u201d Andrew advises, \u201cdon\u2019t worry about how you look, block it all out and just think of you.\u201d Andrew recently joined Canton Chargers running club and has found \u201can incredible group of runners with so much knowledge.\u201d<\/p>\n

Andrews offers some key tips for anyone with type 2 diabetes who is thinking of taking up running: \u201cdon\u2019t think, don\u2019t dwell, just do! Firstly, get some good trainer advice. If your feet are comfy it\u2019s amazing how comfy the rest of you will be.\u201d He also recommends the \u2018Couch to 5k\u2019 programme in order to allow you to start slowly and steadily, and says, \u201cavoid \u2018quick-fix\u2019 programmes, which don\u2019t work in the long-run.\u201d Andrew adds, \u201cyou will be surprised how quickly your body shape changes and how good you\u2019ll begin to feel,\u201d and recommends \u2018before\u2019 and \u2018after\u2019 photos so you can document the body shape changes.<\/p>\n

Andrew now enters a timed race at least once a month and is reminded of his achievements by the medals hanging at home. In between, Andrew enters virtual races to keep himself motivated and maintain the \u2018bling\u2019 haul. His target is to complete a 10k in under an hour \u2013 with his current personal best at 1 hour, 4 minutes.<\/p>\n

Go Andrew, you can do it!<\/p>\n

—————————————————————————————————————————–<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"Our thanks to author and established medical communicator, Philippa Cates, for speaking to Andrew and writing this blog. Philippa Cates is no stranger to the mental and physical challenges of running and has written a book about this wonderfully exhausting pastime.\u00a0The Marathon\u00a0celebrates this fantastic achievement but also highlights in a comedic way the potential pitfalls of taking part. Her book is available to buy here.<\/a><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Run Wales will shortly be launching \u2018Step into Action\u2019, a social walk-to-run group in partnership with Diabetes UK Cymru, aimed at encouraging people with diabetes to get active. Over the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":18,"featured_media":5545,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_bbp_topic_count":0,"_bbp_reply_count":0,"_bbp_total_topic_count":0,"_bbp_total_reply_count":0,"_bbp_voice_count":0,"_bbp_anonymous_reply_count":0,"_bbp_topic_count_hidden":0,"_bbp_reply_count_hidden":0,"_bbp_forum_subforum_count":0},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\nFocus on Diabetes: Take action against type 2 diabetes - Andrew M - Run Wales<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index,follow\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/irun.wales\/cy\/news\/focus-on-diabetes-take-action-against-type-2-diabetes-andrew\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"cy_GB\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Focus on Diabetes: Take action against type 2 diabetes - Andrew M - Run Wales\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Run Wales will shortly be launching \u2018Step into Action\u2019, a social walk-to-run group in partnership with Diabetes UK Cymru, aimed at encouraging people with diabetes to get active. 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