I’M SURE IT SAVED MY LIFE

Jackie Lea-Bridges, 50, is on the verge of reversing her diabetes — which she’s had for 24 years. a senior specialist account manager, she lives with her partner, Martin, a civil servant, in somerset. she says:

THIS time last year my health was spiralling out of control. I was taking nine tablets every day — three for my type 2 diabetes, a statin to reduce my risk of heart disease, a blood pressure pill and something to control acid reflux. I felt so ill I was convinced I would be dead within five years. Tormented by night sweats, I rarely had any energy. And I was 17st and a size 24, despite being just 5ft 5in. Then, the week after Christmas, I saw The 8-Week Blood Sugar Diet in the Daily Mail. I looked at my pile of pills and realised I had nothing to lose. By the beginning of May, I’d lost 30lb and was able to come off all those drugs, apart from metformin, which controls my diabetes. Overall, I’ve lost an unbelievable 7st. While I may never entirely reverse my diabetes, the research shows I’ve got a good chance if I can get my body mass index (BMI) below 23 for good — it’s currently 24.5. To that end, I’ve undertaken another eight-week, 800 caloriea-day plan to get rid of the last few pounds. I’m now just over 10st and am a size 12-14. ‘I feel better. I certainly look better — it makes me sad to think I spent all those years being fat. And now, at last, I have the energy to live my life to the full.