Fundraising In aid of the Born Free Foundation Charity No 1070906
It all started for me about 2 1/2 years ago, around the time when the pandemic hit us in 2020.
I was sat watching TV, a programme made by Harry Redknapp and John Barnes, where they got together a group of old England footballers, to train them up for a match revisited against the Germans. Stars from both teams were now much older, much heavier and unfit to say the least.
However, there was one player in particular, who was a very fit and fiery player back in the 80's, but now was a sweating, heavy (23 st) walking heart attack, a beach ball with fingers!
At this moment in time, whilst watching this programme, I was in fact eating a Terry's Chocolate Orange, not just one or two segments but the 'whole orange'.
Watching this programme and in particular this ex footballer (who was also younger than me), all of a sudden it scared me as i had hypertension myself and was badly overweight and certainly not fit. I stopped eating the chocolate orange, wrapped it up and put it down.
I had to do something about this and about me............... I very much did.
I gave up chocolate, crisps, as much sugary things as possible. I drank much more water, stopped drinking full fat sugary fizzy pop. I hardly eat bread and started to eat cereal for breakfast, rye vita's for lunch and a nice wholesome evening meal, perhaps an orange in the evening, but nothing at all after 9pm. Coupled with this, I got a new bike and also a Turbo trainer for my bike for when the really bad weather stopped me venturing out. I started to train and still do 'every day'
The results and change around was nothing short of amazing. I have now totally reversed my hypertension and have come off 'all' meds about 18 months ago. My BP has fallen dramatically, my BMI is now in the mid 20's rather than the high 30's. Best of all I fell from 17st 6lbs to 13 st 11lbs, but have now stabilised for nearly one year at 14st 2lbs. A massive loss of 40lbs+.
My fitness is fantastic, I feel so very much better and so alive, what I have done and continue to do, as well as cycling every day, has I reckon put 5+ years on to my life expectancy.
A previous challenge of mine was cycling from London to Paris in 4 days (400 miles), it was brilliant. I want to do so much more..... hence my June 2023 Lands End to John O'Groats challenge, raising funds for the Born Free Foundation.
Please find it in your hearts to support me, it is such a worthwhile cause and something I will be so proud to do. If my story inspires you as much as Virginia McKenna and the BFF do me, then that must be good.
I've changed my life, now together we can make a real difference to our animal friends.
Thanks
Mark
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