Things have moved pretty fast with our house purchase.

Just last week, we received the news that the Land Registry had been updated to show Rhona and me as the owners of our small cottage in Adisham.

What an achievement.

The only fly in the ointment has been insurance. Specifically, life insurance for me.

I have Type 2 diabetes, raised blood pressure and high cholesterol. Oh yeah, I’m overweight too. From an underwriting point of view, I am considered high risk, even though I feel fine and am working hard to improve my health.

Despite this, I have been rejected by the first company we tried, Royal London.

FFS!

I get it, I really do, but being completely open and honest about my health means that I cannot get cover through that company. I have asked for a detailed explanation of its decision, but I still haven’t received a response.

So, for now, don’t die!

Last week, I had blood taken ahead of my annual diabetes review. Most of the results I have seen are pretty much the same as last year, although the all-important HbA1c result has yet to appear. Things don’t seem to have become dramatically worse, but they certainly haven’t got better. I will know more after the appointment next week.

The clinician will probably suggest statins for my cholesterol and may not be thrilled that I stopped taking a drug called Jardiance, which was fucking awful. However, I want to use diet, exercise and a lifestyle change or three to turn things around.

I’ve done it before, and I will do it again.

If they agree, I will go back in three months and repeat all the tests. I know that I can improve all of this.

I’ll return to a low-carb Mediterranean diet, stop drinking milk and eating too much cheese, and cut out bread, pasta, starchy vegetables and, most importantly, ultra-processed food. Combine those changes with a daily lunchtime walk, and I should see a considerable improvement.

So, by November 2026, I hope to be healthier and in a stronger position to apply for life insurance again.

Wish me luck.