Confessions of the trainer

 

So this is the start of what I'm hoping to be a regular feature on the blog. You see, it's going to be a bit personal, and it's going to hopefully be a way to keep me on track with my goals. So heres the background...

I was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes a number of years ago - just over 15 years ago in fact - and whilst it has led me to do things I possibly wouldn't have done before, and had a big influence on where my career has gone and is going in the future - it is starting to catch up with me, and I can finally admit...I'm scared.

Each year I have had to have the back of my eyes photographed and checked for any abnormalities on the retina. A couple of years ago I was told that there were slight changes to the retina, but it was nothing to worry about as long as I kept my appointments once a year to get them checked. This year was different. A letter through the post stating that they had found changes and needed to refer me to a specialist to see if I need further treatment.

Diabetic retinopathy is caused by prolonged high blood glucose levels, which over time causes damage to the small blood vessels within the retina. This can cause haemorrhages, and swelling of the retina, starving it of oxygen, and causing abnormal vessels to grow. The risk of retinopathy is increased the longer an individual has diabetes. Eventually, this becomes more serious and can progress to blindness. I have no idea how bad my condition is - as I know it is being caught early I assume that it is the early stages and that treatment can severly slow it down. BUT it really scares me to think that one day I may not have my sight. How could I continue as a personal trainer? How could I carry on enjoying exercise if I can't see!?

Whilst there are regrets I will always have about my diabetes, the only thing I can do is look to making my future better. I have to look after my glucose levels much more closely, and I have to start now. So not for the first time, but hopefully the last, I am on a mission to be as healthy and strict as I can be.

My life is completely in my hands...

Keeping it real...with a lump in my throat...

Paul  x