Author: Peter Stewart

At the age of 16 I joined the British Army as a Junior Leader, this was basically a way to get young men trained up before they could become officially soldiers as you you cannot enter until you are 17.% years old.

The physical training was torture as far as I was concerned and due to my height I struggled on the assault course but i was fitter than most civilians of the same age. I then went on to join my regiment the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards. life was a bit easier here as we were tank crewmen and it was mostly maintenance, our exercise was a once a week run. We spent most of our spare time eating and drinking and i became a bit podgy but i could still pass my annual running test.

After leaving the forces i became a bus and lorry driver, two jobs that are not known for keeping you fit. I had dreamed of having my own business  and I found a job as a milkman and boy did that get me fit, the weight fell off me. I started my business part time during this period too.

Moving on a couple of years I was able to employ a technician and that is when the problems began, I found the Shabaaz in Aberdeen and developed a taste for curry and I ballooned to 15 and a half stone, I am only 5ft 5. I was always tired, sleeping and peeing. I called my doctor and after tests I found out that I was a Type 2 diabetic. BUMMER.