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Time to lower weight and raise funds

  • Day 24 - Still on track

      10 August 2026
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    24 days down and 67 days to go.

    When I made the call a few weeks ago to do this, it was never about competing for The Biggest Loser, or doing some radical makeover challenge. Simply making some lifestyle changes, building sustainable habits and making better choices to step back off the 'pre-diabetic' cliff edge.

    It was my son's birthday over the weekend - did I eat cake? YES. My wife made it and it was delicious!!

    Did I eat a piece the size I would have in the past? No.

    And that's what I hope will add up over the next couple months. Consistent decisions to eat a little less, and a little better. Move a little more, and more often.

    To everyone who has donated, encouraged, or simply watched this saga unfold: thank you. Your support continues to make made a meaningful difference. Huge shout out to Tim from Men's Health Week, who officially takes the tittle of the first person to donate to my journey that doesn't previously know me.

    All the best - and Go the All Blacks!

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  • Active August starts tomorrow 💪

      31 July 2026
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    A couple of weeks ago I made a commitment to start saying "no" more often.

    No to the unnecessary snacks.

    No to the extra drinks.

    No to eating just because it was there.

    I've been making better food choices, cutting back on alcohol, getting a bit more active, and proving to myself that small decisions really do add up.

    Now it's time to take things up a notch.

    Tomorrow marks the start of Active August – a month-long mission to significantly increase my training and physical activity. The goal isn't perfection; it's consistency. To build habits, improve my fitness, and keep moving forward one day at a time.

    Every walk, every workout, every healthy choice is another step towards a healthier version of me.

    To everyone who has donated, sent messages of encouragement, or simply followed along on this journey – thank you. Your support genuinely makes it easier to keep saying "no" to the things that don't help me, and "yes" to the things that do.

    Here's to an active August. Let's do this! 🚶‍♂️🏋️‍♂️🚴‍♂️

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  • Week One: A Man vs. His Fridge

      24 July 2026
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    One week into my mission, and I've discovered that willpower is basically just a very tired inner monologue on repeat, but donations to a good cause do amplify the angel on the shoulder and quieten down the demon.

    Some examples:

    After a 4-hour drive home from work (I work in Auckland and live in Kerikeri) I'd normally head to the fridge like it owes me something and grab a beer (or three). Last week, I opted not to for some reason.

    Similarly, these chocolate is in the fridge. I notice it each time I open the door, but haven't caved yet.

    And I didn't buy (and eat) the type of snacks I'd normally consume driving to Auckland and back. No loaf of bread, no bag of lollies and no 473mL full strength Red Bull.

    And then there's the pop tart incident. My son one on his plate. Old me saw would 100% see this as a waste not, want not opportunity and simply eat it to make it disappear. New me saw a small pastry-shaped test of character, and new me won because I actual humans waged actual money that I'd do as I said.

    Turns out guilt is an excellent appetite suppressant when it's attached to a Givealittle page.

    None of this is dramatic. It's just a lot of small, boring "nope" moments stacked on top of each other, hoping they eventually add up to something the scales will notice.

    Weigh-ins start next week. Let's see what happens then.

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  • Day 3 of my 91 Days to “Fix the Numbers”

      20 July 2026
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    I started this quest to pull my numbers back from the edge of the cliff. So let’s have a look at what my recent blood tests showed.

    Liver: The Overworked Employee (ALT:56 GGT:59)

    My liver has filed an official complaint. It’s been quietly processing my alcohol intake, carbohydrate enthusiasm, and energy drink addiction like a champion, but if it could, it would most certainly be giving a slow, disappointed head shake.

    Lipids: The Chaos Department - Triglycerides: 3.5 HDL: 0.91 Total/HDL ratio: 5.3

    My triglycerides look to have been living their best life entirely unsupervised. Meanwhile, my HDL — the “good cholesterol” — has apparently taken annual leave.

    The Lifestyle Behind the Chaos

    Height: 189 cm

    Weight: 123 kg

    Diet: Too much bread, Red Bull, Coke Zero, and yes, alcohol.

    Let’s be honest: I’ve been treating my body like a rental car. A rental car with great insurance.

    Are the Results Bad?

    Honestly? They’re better than they should be, given the above. My liver isn’t on strike. My cholesterol isn’t trying to escape my body. My triglycerides are high, but not “call the fire brigade” high. But there's 'room to improve'.

    To everyone who has donated, encouraged, or simply watched this saga unfold: thank you. Your support has already made a meaningful difference - I felt pressured to walk the dog and get the extra steps in last night. It’s easier to change when you know people are cheering you on, or just laughing with you as you do it.

    Here’s to the next 88 days!

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