Has anyone been able to really turn their health around after a wake up call?

[Womblealongwithme]

I've name changed because I'm embarrassed that I've let myself get to this stage. I used to be pretty fit and well but I just haven't been looking after myself over the last couple of years. I need to lose weight and have had a liver function test showing fat around my liver which is no doubt caused by the fact that I've been drinking too much. I know I have. I really want to sort myself out. I can go weeks without drinking then end up having a few drinks every night and I know if I don't sort this out now, I'm going to do some permanent damage.

I have plans in place in how to manage this, I would just love to hear some encouraging stories from anyone who has successfully turned their health around.

I'm kind of in the middle of a life change. Severe acute pancreatitis and gallstones as a result of an unhealthy lifestyle. Have lost 30lbs in the past few weeks and even when I'm fully recovered, I can't have alcohol or high fat foods ever again. But I'm actually glad it happened. I want to lose more weight and am happy the process has started. It will be easier to say no to things rather than try (and fail) to do things in moderation.

So my future looks very different, but it will be great to enter my 50s feeling much better than my 40s. A very painful lesson learned!

Good luck to you - hope your journey is easier. 💐

I working in healthcare and I have seen many many people completely turn around their health both mentally and physically at any age. Eat well, exercise how you enjoy it (walking or swimming are good starters) and take on hobbies that you enjoy and bring you joy! You can do it 😁

I stopped drinking six months ago, it's been a tough journey and still work in progress. I've managed to get my gym mojo back but undoing the damage of the last two years (drinking) is so difficult. I'm turning 50 soon and worry about my bone density even though I've exercised hard all my life - I have friends not much older than me who seem to fracture bones easily (they don't exercise).

Stopping drinking has given me so much clarity though, it's opened my mind and allowed me to focus on new things - I'm starting a foreign language evening class next month, I'm excited but very nervous!

Thank you for your replies. I know I have a tough road ahead and I know I'll have to reconsider my social life in general, which seems to revolve round meals out and drinking. I found a lovely thread on here on the weight loss section and as alcohol puts weight on me so quickly, that's a real incentive for me to stop. I don't think I can do it in moderation. It'll be too easy to just slide back into one/two/three too many, so it's going to have to be a complete stop for me.

My social life has taken a hit, I've turned down so many festivals and occasions this summer. Most of my friends have been supportive though, only one that rolls her eyes and calls me boring (as she's lost her drinking buddy). I do end up being the designated driver which suits me fine as they save money on taxi fares and they pay for my food and soft drinks in return.

It's a huge adjustment though and I understand your fear ❤️

I'm only in my 20s and have managed to cause damage to my body already. My diet consists of high fat, high sugar foods along with sugary hot drinks and fizzy pop. Oh, and 20 fags a day.

I'm so uncomfortable in myself and pain from the issues caused by me tell me that I know it's time to change.

Good luck OP. It will be tough but so worth it! Xx

I also work in healthcare and yes people absolutely do turn things around. Fatty liver from alcohol is completely reversible. You will feel so much better for it. Good luck!

I should say - reversible if you stop drinking, that is.

I started with fatty liver - which turned into cirrhosis, which turned into liver disease. Which resulted in me three years ago in ICU with a discussion about turning machines off.

To say I was a bit screwed is an understatement. I finally went to rehab and got sober with AA.

If you saw me now you'd never know. Stopping drinking was the key (obviously, the other option was death) but I've gone from being unable to walk up a stair to a yoga bunny, I eat well and look after myself.

My most recent liver scan showed almost complete recovery with only minor scarring. The lovely lady doing the scan said she'd not have guessed unless she read my (extensive, terrifying) notes.

I started where you are and I don't recommend continuing on that path. But I'm a waking miracle.

I couldn't walk 20m and now I walk the dog for hours, ride my horse and am more flexible than I've ever been.

Good luck!

I have nothing constructive to say but why at wanted to say that's amazing @Shannith - well bloody done you (in the least patronizing way). My alcohol level crept up with Covid (it was always higher than it should have been due to the industry I work in) and pregnancy forced me to do a hard-reset/evaluation of myself and my consumption - even then it wasn't easy at all, so bloody bravo to you

Thanks @hangingbag it was pretty awful and I'm as surprised as anyone to 1. Still be here and 2. Be relatively healthy. It's been a journey!

I'm living proof it can be done.

I quit smoking as I was pregnant and haven’t looked back. I gave up drinking aswell just before because of the lockdowns I just thought what was the point! You seem really self aware so I think that’s the first hurdle I’m sure you’ll get there. I would see if you can meet new friends who don’t revolve around drinking- alcohol is such a poison on every level. Now I think really what is the point of it?! There’s literally nothing positive about it. Its always a substitute or cover up for something else. I used to have a drink at the end of a long day.. really I was just tired! I found listening to what I actually need is far healthier x

Wow @Shannith if ever there was a post to motivate someone it's yours. Thank you for sharing and if I feel myself weakening I'm going to read your post again. 💐

@Womblealongwithme you absolutely can do it.

regarding the social life, I go out but drink a lot less or make better drink choices such as single gin and slimline tonic (I don’t have an alcohol issue, if of course anyone does then stopping totally is the only way, I didn’t want that to be Mis-interpreted!) also change the kind of things you are available for. I have built up a network of walking friends. Instead of saying, do you fancy a drink tonight, I say is anyone free for a walk along the canal etc. I now do so much more walking and have various friends I can ask who were all also keen to leave unhealthy habits behind and have a walk.

good luck!

Good luck op.
I did just this four year ago and I felt so much better, lost so much weight and developed a great walking group of friends.

sadly my life has changed so much recently and I’ve been through a lot of trauma and grief and it’s had a knock on effect on my health (my heart isn’t great, under a specialist consultant now) and due to my mental health and different medications my weight is piling on.

I really want to change this but I’m stuck in a rut and plus I’m peri as well.

I'm so sorry to hear that @blackheartsgirl, I hope you're able to get back on track soon.

Perhaps not as drastic an improvement as some of the stories here (well done!), but my DH made a remarkable turn around with cholesterol and blood pressure by changing his diet and sticking to a daily exercise program.

His father dies very early (before the age of 40) from a massive heart attack. With that history, I insisted he have a full exam when he was 38, and he did indeed have early markers of heart disease. He went on both cholesterol and blood pressure medication, but has managed to improve his levels with diet and exercise. He no longer takes BP medication, and is on a lower dose of cholesterol. Basically a Mediterranean style diet. He has always loved his beer and has not given it up, but the dr. says he's doing ok with it. He's 60 now, slim and active.