Isobel and Tony — living proof you CAN stop killer disease

MEDICINE MADE ME SOAR TO A SIZE 20

Isobel Murray, 65, a retired civil servant, lives near Glasgow, with her husband, Jim, 62. she says: I WAS exercising regularly, wearing a dress size 14-16 and feeling fit and well when I was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes in 2011. I tried unsuccessfully to bring my blood sugar levels down using the low sugar diet I was prescribed, but it didn’t work and I was put on medication.

That didn’t work either. In fact, my blood sugars went up and I was heading for a size 20, which meant taking even more medication.

So, in 2013, I jumped at the opportunity of going on the trial, even though all I would be ‘eating’ for four months was meal replacement milkshakes — four a day, 200 calories each, in a variety of flavours including chocolate and strawberry.

I started in October 2014 when I weighed around 15st. It was really hard. To start with I exercised, drank my drinks and went to bed. But it helped that the weight was falling off and I felt fitter than ever.

After 17 weeks, I was down to 12st 4lb, my blood sugars had gone down and my diabetes was in remission. I started on solid food again — the first thing I ate was cream crackers as I was desperate for something with crunch!

for the next two years, I restricted my daily calories to 1,000-1,200, but for the past two years I’ve eaten normally.

I can tell from my clothes if I’ve put on weight, and reduce my food intake.

I just want to make sure the weight doesn’t go back on — I never want to take diabetic medication ever again, and hopefully I’ve found a way I won’t have to.

IT FELT LIKE A DARK VEIL HAD LIFTED

TONY MAsON, 52, is a production supervisor in Hexham, where he lives with his wife, Carol, 47. He says: NOT long before I was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes, in 2009, my father had died from complications related to the disease, so naturally I was worried.

With hindsight my diet was terrible. I’d given up smoking but replaced cigarettes with sweets and, as I worked shifts, I’d grab whatever was convenient — pizzas, kebabs, pasties and pies. I’m 5ft 8in and weighed over 15st.

I was put on drugs to manage the diabetes, cut out sugar where possible and exercised more, and when I started the study in October 2013, I weighed 14st 7lb. The first few days were hard — I had hunger pains and a headache — but by day three I felt active. By week two, I was decorating the house and doing odd jobs. It felt like a dark veil had lifted.

After 12 weeks, my liver went from 25 per cent fat to 1 per cent (5 per cent is normal), my weight was under 11st and my diabetes was in remission. I didn’t think it would ever happen.

My tastes have now changed entirely. I like peppers and celery, but not the taste of fatty foods or beef and lamb.

I usually have porridge for breakfast, cheese salad for lunch and chicken salad for dinner. Two years on, I’m a healthy 11st 9lb — I don’t take any medication, feel great and enjoy life.