The final helping

neil donnelly

Neil is a Fellow of the BDa and retired Dietetic Services Manager. His main areas of interest are weight management and eating disorders

i love writing this short article every month. it keeps me in touch. it makes me look back. it helps me look forward. it’s personal. it’s now Bank Holiday Monday at 7.30am and i am putting this together following my return from wembley stadium at 2.30am this morning.

Some years ago, 1967 to be precise, respected manager of some two and I read a book called Energy, Work a half years, Simon Grayson, was and Leisure by Dr JVGA Durnin. It quoted as saying, “When I came was the first of its kind. I still have there was no fitness coach, dietitian the original much thumbed-through or Chief Scout.” How fitting to see copy. It covered the energy expendi- our profession so widely recognised ture of adults engaged in a variety of at this level of professional sporting everyday activities, professions and activity. sporting activities, Our group was from gardening Energy expenditure, on the front row to bus conducting near the centre line. to squash. I was body fat content and The atmosphere hooked. Two years and nervous anticilater, following my appetite control became pation was tangipractical dietetic ble. Ninety minutes training in Glas- the fundamentals of my plus added time of gow, I helped with individual energy one of his, (now career in Dietetics and expenditure based Professor John on a platform of the Durnin) research shaped the path I followed. team supporting studies at the Insti- them was going to tute of Physiology I wouldn’t change a thing. define their season. at the University Suffice it to say that of Glasgow for six as I now look formonths. ward to the next

Energy expenditure, body fat con- football season in the Championship tent and appetite control became the following a 4-0 victory, I still think fundamentals of my career in Dietet- back to how my own career started ics and shaped the path I followed. I and the joy and pleasure that comwouldn’t change a thing. bining energy, work and leisure gives

So, back to Wembley. Well, Pres- throughout your life. ton North End (PNE) were in the I would, however, like to give League One Play-off Final. The win- my profuse apologies to the supners go into the Championship next porters of Swindon Town for the season, that’s one below the Premier bias in this article. Now back to the League. Before the match, our well- gardening…