MAY: Proud to be able to stop diabetes pills

ALAn STAnLEy, 46, a former drainage company boss, now studying law, lives in Dorset with his wife Rebecca, 48, a social worker. Alan was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in 2016. He has since lost 5st and was able to stop taking his medication in may.

ALAN SAYS: I’d put feeling tired all the time down to the stress of life, but blood tests showed I had type 2 diabetes, probably caused by my diet — I’m 6ft 3in, and weighed 20st.

I was working in the construction industry and in the mornings I would have a fry-up, then sausage rolls and chips for lunch, and then a big dinner of pasta. I used to drink loads of Lucozade to perk me up.

I started medication the day I was diagnosed. I found out on the internet that some people had reversed their diabetes by losing weight.

I had a lot to lose but I didn’t want to end up on insulin injections and I was worried about diabetes complications such as limb amputation and blindness.

So in July 2017 I started a low-carbohydrate diet — no potatoes, bread or pasta. The weight started coming off steadily and in May I hit my 5st weight loss target.

This was a significant point as my diabetes is officially in remission and that month I could stop taking the medication.

I felt such a sense of achievement — I took my health into my own hands and did something about it.