August 31st 2020.

May you live in interesting times.

I first came across the saying, “may you live in interesting times” in Terry Pratchett’s discworld novel entitled, oddly enough, “Interesting Times.” In this book Rincewind the Wizard, the ever reluctant hero of so many of Pratchett’s Discworld novels, is subject to far more adventure and excitement than he wants or feels is good for him, his preference being always for a quiet and restrained life. After all, he’s not very good at magic anyway and can’t even spell the word wizard.
The phrase “may you live in interesting times”, it is claimed, is an English translation of a ancient Chinese curse. According to Wikipedia:

"May you live in interesting times" is an English expression that purports to be a translation of a traditional Chinese curse. While seemingly a blessing, the expression is normally used ironically; life is better in "uninteresting times" of peace and tranquility than in "interesting" ones, which are usually times of trouble.

There is little evidence that the curse does actually originate in ancient China, it’s not a phrase used commonly, people I know don’t use it and I’ve never heard it in the media. However, someone, perhaps some powerful, evil sorcerer, has recently used it to great effect because 2020 has indeed turned out to be a very interesting year indeed.

During the summer we were fortunate enough to escape the more interesting bits of 2020 for a while by hiding away in France with friends for a few weeks. We lived in a bubble of just four households in a remote part of the country with no neighbours within a hundred yards of us. We wore maskson the few occasions we visited the shops. We met next to no one apart from those in our little bubble. We had a wonderful time. We made the most of the culinary opportunities that France has to offer, amazing cheese, duck, great seafood, croissants, chocolatines, fish,

choux pastries filled with crème pâtissière. I’m sure you get the picture. There were also some millefeuilles, strawberry and custard tarts and cakes made from tiramisu. And the charcuterie! It was fantastic! At the same time we ensured that we did our bit to keep the brewers, distillers and viniculturists of the nation in business as well. On our return, Boris and his buddies had decided that France was a very dangerous place. He said it was necessary that we quarantined ourselves for a fortnight and that we should shut ourselves away from everyone for fourteen days. Essentially, house arrest. At the same time, Greater Manchester was in lockdown. So, the good people of those areas affected by the stringent Covid-19 measures in the North West of England moved to North Wales to avoid lockdown instead, mingling with the local population, shopping in local shops and eating and drinking in local pubs and restaurants. Campsites were at bursting point. Lodges and B&Bs were fully booked, the Promenade in Llandudno rammed with people. We stayed in the house. That’s what Boris felt was best. 

Anyhow, those five weeks were an opportunity to catch up with some reading. Or listening to someone else reading books to me. So I listened to several audio books during this time away from the chaos that reigned elsewhere. Whilst lying in my hammock in the garden, in the shade cast by the trees, I quietly digested my food and listened to The Body by Bill Bryson, many radio 4 comedies like Count Arthur Strong, Cabin Pressure and Alexei Sayle’s Imaginary Sandwich Bar and others. I read the papers online and was heartened always by the news coming out of Oxford University regarding their efforts in creating an effective vaccine for Covid-19. Let us hope it arrives sooner rather than later and is available for all regardless of cost. 

It was whilst in quarantine at home that I read the Guardian headline “Obesity increases risk of Covid-19 death by 48%, study finds.” Now, I had always been aware that the data was showing that Covid-19 outcomes for those whose Body Mass Index (BMI - check yours here) placed them in the Obese category could be considerably worse. I also know that obesity brings with it the risk of metabolic disorders such as Type 2 Diabetes, Fatty Liver Disease, Increased risk of Heart Attack and Stroke. But also according to the article, a vaccine against Covid-19 may not be as effective for those who are obese. Any one of these factors should be sufficient reason for anyone who has a BMI that is too high to take action by reducing their weight to a healthy range and to change their lifestyle to ensure that they remain in good health. So, what should I do about it? After all, 48% is significant, isn't it? I decided to listen to another audiobook, one I can thoroughly recommend. 

Professor Roy Taylor (wiki) is Director of the Newcastle Magnetic Resonance Centre and is a physician and diabetologist. In 2011, he proved that Type2 diabetes did not have to be a life long, degenerative disease and that it could be reversed by sticking to a low calorie diet and losing weight. In his book, Life Without Diabetes: The definitive guide to Understanding and Reversing Your Type2 Diabetes, he explains how Type2 diabetes can be overcome by sticking to his Fast800 diet plan which uses a simple three step method. I was intrigued. Essentially, it suggests a rapid weight loss of around 15kgs is enough for most people to reverse the condition, and explains how this can be achieved. 

I do not have Type2 diabetes, and I don’t want it, but my BMI places me in the obese category which puts me at greater risk of severe outcomes due to Covid-19. If I do not reduce my weight, then I run the risk of becoming a Type2 diabetic. I am also aware that the Covid-19 vaccine, when it arrives, will not be as effective for me due to my excess weight. So I am following Professor Taylor’s advice, and I am going to rapidly reduce my weight by 15kgs, and then by a further 20kgs by next summer. A tall order perhaps. But the book, Life Without Diabetes, lays things out very simply. Michael Mosley’s book, The Fast 800, is also a very good resource with some excellent recipes to follow. 

This week, Step 1 of the three step approach begins, which involves eight weeks of rapid weight loss with the aim of losing 15kgs. Professor Taylor suggests the simplest option is to use a liquid formula or commercial meal replacements in order to keep the daily calories consumed down to the required level. Michael Mosley also recommends meal replacement shakes and soups, but also provides recipes and guides for those who wish to prepare their own meals. Professor Taylor recommends several different replacement meal manufacturers in his book. I have decided to mix and match, take advantage of the convenience of the meal replacement shakes and soups and prepare some meals myself. So, shakes and meal replacements have been ordered from Exante. To ensure that the meals we cook at home remain within the calorie limit, we will use the MyFitnessPal app to measure the calorie content of our recipes and portions.

So, we start tomorrow. Why? Well, from what I’ve seen on the telly, the Critical Care Units in hospitals are very interesting places and I don’t want to spend any Interesting Times there. I’d rather have peace and tranquility. And good health. It is time to take action!