Mark & Gilly

GILLY and Mark Chadbourne shed 11-and-ahalf stone between them by cutting carbs and getting their diabetes under control.

They took action when Mark, 50, hit 22st and was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. Gilly – who has Type 1 diabetes, where the pancreas fails to produce insulin – was 16st 7lb and, like Mark, felt constantly exhausted.

The pair, from Burton upon Trent, Staffs, went in search of answers on the internet and came across a free 10-week diet programme on diabetes.co.uk.

Just 16 months later Mark has slimmed to 15st and mum-of-four Gilly, 48, is 12st and down from dress size 22 to 16.

And Gilly – whose condition had led to two heart attacks – is no longer insulin dependent after embracing a low-carb, higher fat diet which includes butter, cheese, eggs, fish and lots of meat.

She said: “I used to be absolutely exhausted. Most diets are low-fat but on this you have to make sure you are eating enough of it – things like cheese and butter.”

Mark, who is Gilly’s full-time carer, used to love fish and chips followed by cake.

But the diet has seen his blood sugar level plummet from 29 to six, just slightly over normal, and he is off medication. He said: “i was wearing XXXL clothing, squeezing into 44in waist trousers and feeling constantly exhausted. Now I’ve got so much more vitality. It’s a brilliant diet because you still have treats like cheese and lots of fish.”

And home life is better. He added: “I play with my grandchild on the floor when I couldn’t even bend down before. And Gilly looks brilliant. It’s definitely helped her health.”