I lost a dress size in a week
Elizabeth todd, 54, a civil servant, lives with her partner Nigel, 60, near Morpeth, Northumberland. She was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes six years ago. She says:
LOSING weight and putting it back on was the story of my life.
Over the years I must have lost and then regained the weight of an entire rugby team. But I always reverted to old habits: pies, cakes and pastries, and a chocolate bar every day.
Then six years ago I was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. My parents had it and it really affected their quality of life — they always felt tired and the diabetes was listed a contributing factor on Mum’s death certificate.
I used to exercise when I was younger, but as my parents needed more help, I’d given all that up. I got to almost 15st (I’m 5ft 3in) when I was told I had Type 2.
I tried to lose weight but the healthy eating diet my GP recommended was hard to stick to and I gave up within a month after losing 8lb. My sugar levels got so high my GP had to increase my diabetes medication, and I put on another half a stone. Then, 16 months ago, my GP asked me to take part in a trial of an 800-calorie diet for people with diabetes. I jumped at the chance because I’d get lots of support.
I also started to walk 30 minutes every lunchtime, plus swimming and going to the gym twice a week.
After three months my blood sugar levels were just above normal and the weight loss was so rapid sometimes I came down a whole dress size in a week. So when they asked if I wanted to stay on the trial I said yes.
I’ve gone from a size 22 to a 12, and my waist has shrunk 9in, to 35in. I used to feel tired all the time, but now walk with a real spring in my step.
But the change I’m most thrilled about is my blood sugar: I’ve come off all medication and am classed as a diet-controlled diabetic. I just wish I’d had the chance to lose weight in this way six years ago.