My trip to Yorkshire

I spent today in Leeds, one of the countries biggest cities and I was shocked at what I saw if I’m honest. The lady sat opposite me on the train was reading about the latest biscuit diet to help you lose weight… how is that going to help? What’s really sad is that you can simply pick and choose your information and advice these days… last weeks front pages said that chocolate could save your life and the week before it was asparagus or something. And people simply buy into this stuff because we are a society who simply cannot think for themselves.

So I won’t mention the Leeds game that I got dragged to (I actually went willingly) – suffice to say, all being well, I can see them swapping places with Forest next season without too much effort! Any one know a decent striker in Leeds – Jeez!!

I went up to darkest Yorkshire initially to visit my pal Sven who requires a double hip operation at the tender age of 31. His attitude to the whole thing is amazing and I can only look up to him and how he deals with what life has thrown him. One of the reasons for my visit was to help him realign his nutrition as he is going to be out of action for a good six months and also to show him some basic hip opening exercises to get cracking with before his first op to loosen the muscles around the joint and stimulate the nerves affecting the damaged muscles – this way he will have some functional nervous activation in place once his first op is successful.

After ploughing through his fridge and banning about 80% of his foods (white bread, sugar, packaged, processed foods, cage raised eggs, refined grains, semi-skimmed milk) whilst promoting locally sourced meat, vegetables and good old saturated fats and coconut oil. He was interested in my nutrition policies and has decided to give them a go – he obviously trusts me! – we first had a chat in December and since he has cut out alcohol in the week and crisps and chocolate too. So well done mate! Together we will get you through your op and ski together once again… in about a year I reckon!!

So what shocked me most? Sven’s fridge? The shocking Leeds United performance (losing to ten men!)? No, something else. I was confronted all day, at the game, in the city, on the train and at the station by some incredibly unhealthy looking folk. Junk food and sugary drink fuelled kids and adults alike, scatty and wired minds, aggressive behaviours and prejudices. These people aren’t even listening to information presented to them, they are simply getting their food and drinks from outlets that couldn’t give a damn about their health, but just want their money. Information is a whole other level, something they may never be exposed to because our society is intent on providing the wrong information to all walks of life…

Headlines in the Yorkshire Post this evening were about the Rich-Poor Health divide… stating that the gap between the rich and the poor also represents a link to the number of heart attacks in each wealth band. The problem is we shouldn’t and wouldn’t be exposed to heart attacks if we didn’t promote such poor quality foods and materialistic lifestyle requirements… far too many of us fail to look inside at who we are and are always looking outwards, working for someone else’s goals, worrying about others instead of our self and have little or no reason to even concern ourselves with our health. If this is you, it’s time to rise above your situation and carve out a viable future for yourself. Both nutrition and stress are the main causes of ill health and is evident in both bands. Sure wealthier people may buy more expensive foods but they experience high levels of stress too. There is more to disease than meets the modern eye… and weight loss… and happiness… and on and on…

Anyway… here is a picture of Sven and me in his fitter days

– I’m going to post it on the blog (Secret Vision Board Style) and post it out to the universe to manifest a healthy and vital Sven so that one day soon we can ski again. I’d love it very much if those of you who know him would post a message (click comments below!) and manifest a healthy and vital Sven whilst wishing him luck and a mega quick recovery.
Cheers guys.
Thanks for me roast dinner Sven.
Love you all

Comments

[Lowdy Brabyn]

Sven, good to have you back to fighting fit health with 2 brand spanking new hips. Happy skiing! xxx

[Jules Brown]

I am so so proud of you Svenny, you are amazing. JP xxxx

[Ned Sproston]

Great to see you leggin' it round Leeds again!

Ned

[Paul Smith (Sven)]

Great to see you Wardy, mi ol fruit. Thank you for your advice and positive inspiration, you're a legend mate. Looking forward to a pair of shiny new hips, bring on the post el nino winter of 07/08, here's to hoping its a corker cos i WILL be skiing again next year....yeehah! Thank you everyone for the well wishes and positive visualisation, it means a lot, thank you
xxx

[Big U]

Da Svenster! Great to speak to you! Looking forward to skiing with you again after far too long! Remember the Pow Pow day in between Courche 1850 and 1650 when you cliff jumped witha dodgy hip. Quelle nutter! Well we wont do that again but it will be mighty fine whatever.
Here's hoping for a speedy and painless(we can but hope) recovery.
Take care, Big U.

[Big Daddy Rothwell]

Ah Svennis!

Here's to next year and watching me roll down the mountain snow ball style whilst you cut perfect lines through fresh powdered snow.

You'll be on your feet busting moves in no time.

Martin

[Ben Brabyn]

Sven - if there's one thing better than skiing it's skiing again after a beaten injury! Enjoy your return in 07/08 :)

[Helen]

Hi Sven, I don't know you personally, but I feel I want to share my love and energy with you for a speedy recovery, and I can clearly see you on ski slopes next winter! Helenx

[Peeet 'Cap'n Insano' Thomas]

Sven - You have the hips of a snake you healthy big son of a gun, you. A snake thats good at skiing.

[Julian Cromack]

Hi Paul(Sven)
Want to wish you all the best for your forthcoming op! It has been a pleasure working with you these past 7 months on my sabbatical from my nursing career. Will have to plan my shifts around the World cup(cricket) that is and join you on the sofa. Here's to a speedy recovery buddy!

Big Jules

[lucy solari]

Sven,
Having just had a long chat with wardy, i thought i would wish you good luck and a speedy recovery and send you a big hug to help you through your op and post op routines! And i hope to see you back on the Meribel slopes in the future, and possibly at the ronnie for a few post ski beverages!!!
Big hug
Luce
x x x

[Darren Kennedy]

Hi Sven
Good luck with the op mate, hopefully we will have a ski together next season, you don't want to miss too many otherwise me nipper of a lad will be showing you a thing or two, he was at the Magic in Motion Dedern today on skis at 22 months!!
Keep positive through all the post op stuff and look forward to catching up.
Cheers
Darren

[Sgt Bilko (Ian)]

Hi Sven,

lets diary in some powder turn for winter 07/08.

We can compare scars from my leg operation!

Keep smiling

Sgt Bilko (Ian)

[Big Wardy]

Forget about the ski-ing boyo and get them fit knees around that football pitch at Elland Rooad and kick some butts. We need the points.
Hope alls well.

Big Al