In 1988 I was having problems, being tired all the time and very weak. After extensive tests it was decided I was diabetic and needed to go on a strict diet of grains and vegetables with limited meat and no fat or sugar products.
Initially I lost weight and things looked good. Then after three months I started slowly putting weight on again. I was still tired and weak and got quite depressed.
I could not work in my chosen profession of computer programming, as I could not concentrate. Over the following years I tried many things to overcome my problems. The medical profession couldn't seem to help me so I went to natural healing professionals. I tried many dietary changes and spent thousands on naturopathic remedies. All to no avail, I slowly increased in weight and lethargy.
During this time I was put on various drugs including insulin for diabetes, a statin for cholesterol control and blood pressure tablets.
In 2003 I had a heart attack resulting in bypass surgery. Things improved a little after that. I had lost a lot of weight while in hospital and after several months recovery I was feeling fairly well and ready to get involved in programming again.
Following the strict carbohydrate diet recommended by the hospital professionals I slowly put on the weight again and the tiredness, weakness and lack of concentration returned.
My weight was up to 115Kg, I was 66 years old and almost ready to give up, I felt I would be quite happy to die. I had learned by this time that I had sleep apnea, which, I believed, was caused by being overweight.
Then I read an advertisement in the local paper which claimed that sleep apnea and snoring could be eliminated by retraining our breathing habits.
"Oh yes" I thought, "this sounds like a good scam." But I felt desperate enough to try anything. So I gave Steve Lumsdaine of Breath Connection in Busselton a call and thereby changed my life!
I had my first meeting with Steve on the 19 May 2005 and within two days I was starting to sleep better. He also gave me a book to read which talked about a diet (among other things) for healthy living. It was completely the opposite of the diets given me by the medical profession and they hadn't worked for me, so it was time to try something different.
Now, being June 12 2005 I have lost 8 kg in weight, am sleeping very well and feel great. My concentration is back and I am enjoying programming again. Life is great again!
After reading about Professor Buteyko’s and Doctor Mercola's views on Diabetes and insulin I decided to drop my diabetes medication, and keep track of my sugar levels. I found that they levelled out at around 10 and I am no longer concerned with Diabetes.
After reading on the internet about the horrors of statins I decided to also drop my cholesterol medication. Immediately, for the first time in nearly 20 years my muscles stopped aching.
I was pointed in the right direction for this information by Steve and I will always be grateful to him for that.
The Buteyko breathing training given me by Steve Lumsdaine has been invaluable to me. Before I went to him I was sleeping 12 to 14 hours a day and was still tired all the time. I now find that 6 hours is enough. And all this in just three weeks!
The weight loss is probably more directly related to my change of diet than to the breathing training, but I am also assured by the documentation that the breathing training also helps the metabolism function more efficiently.
My diet changed from a carbohydrate base to a protein base. I now eat as much meat as I wish with plenty of fat, limit my carbohydrates to leafy green vegetables, peas and beans. The weight loss speaks for its self but does not convey how satisfied I am with my diet. I have always been a meat eater and missed it badly for 17 or 18 years. I was always hungry on the carbohydrate diet, now I am fully satisfied and do not suffer from hunger pains between meals.
This diet may not suit everyone, however it worked for me and, if you are struggling with being overweight, speak to Steve Lumsdaine and find out for yourself what is best for you.
If you have any breathing difficulty, sleep problem or chronic condition that isn’t improving with medication, I suggest you give Steve a call. It has certainly worked for me and I would recommend it to anyone.
David R Fisher
Gracetown WA
