‘Only I could make myself happy again’

For Andrew Jones, seeing specialists for his ‘self-inflicted’ diabetes was the kick in the bum he needed to turn his life around. He’s now fitter, happier – and his diabetes is in remission.

‘When I started to gain lots of weight, I decided denial was my best option. The struggle went on for years, feeling tired all the time and like using stairs was torture. I was a heart attack waiting to happen. I got very depressed – I didn’t like how I looked, I didn’t like the restrictions my extra weight was forcing on me and I felt guilty I’d basically done this to myself.

‘Then I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Now I had 27 pills a day to add to my awful diet. It hit me very hard – not that I had diabetes, but through my own inaction I’d brought about my downfall. I fell into a deep depression and just couldn’t cope.

‘My first hospital appointment with the specialist diabetic team was the kick in the bum I needed. They didn’t judge, they just listened and gave me solid practical advice, reminding me that I’m the master of my own fate.

‘My first walk was only a quarter of a mile around the local streets and it nearly killed me! But it was the start of reclaiming the old me. I resolved to walk every day, and by six months I was walking three miles a day, learned to control my blood sugar and lose weight.

‘I discovered #walk1000miles in 2019. The simplicity of the challenge is its greatest strength. It’s our challenge, our way, no frills and no hoops to jump through. The community has been amazing. I love the way people are so genuine – I feel like I have this huge extended family that I can turn to for advice. It’s a real wellspring of support and positive waves.

‘Walking has helped me become healthier, happier, more confident, and more comfortable in my own skin and in my own head. I hated where I was as a person, and no one but me could make the changes I needed to be happy. I now have the same waist measurement I had when I was 21, my diabetes is in remission, and I’m much, much happier in myself. Was it hard? Yes. Did it hurt? Yes. Was it worth it? Hell yes!’