In 1986, I suffered a serious back injury which gradually got worse and in 1996 I suffered serious degradation of my spine discs, forcing me to have to retire. Immobility followed 8 months bedridden, and my weight increased dramatically.
My wife Maria died suddenly at the age of 49 and my weight went up even more. The delayed shock of Maria’s death took effect, and I was soon on anti-depressants together with increasing amounts of painkillers and whisky I used to numb the growing pain.
I was diagnosed with high blood pressure; serious sleep apnoea; and arthritis in my knees. However my weight gain continued.