• Please Remember: Members are only permitted to share their own experiences. Members are not qualified to give medical advice. Additionally, everyone manages their health differently. Please be respectful of other people's opinions about their own diabetes management.
  • Take a look at our new Type 2 Diabetes Remission section on the Diabetes UK website: https://www.diabetes.org.uk/diabetes-the-basics/type-2-remission
  • We seem to be having technical difficulties with new user accounts. If you are trying to register please check your Spam or Junk folder for your confirmation email. If you still haven't received a confirmation email, please reach out to our support inbox: support.forum@diabetes.org.uk

My weight loss and T2D journey

Latest update: Now in week 22 of the T2D pathway to remission program.
Now fully back on "normal" food, no more shakes.
Back up to approx 1800 cals per day.
Weight stable around 89kg.
Blood Glucose levels stable around 4.5 to 5.5.
Have not lost any more weight, but despite increasing calories, have not put on any additional weight either, so its all good.

Had my annual diabetic review today, met the nurse (actually she was a "Sister"!)
Went through my stats, last blood test, last HbA1c, cholesterol, etc, etc, she was pleased with my progress.
Had my feet tickled and all good there too.
I will be having another blood test in early April, and if my levels are still in the "normal" range, will then be officially considered in Remission.

To be honest, I was quite nervous about the food re-introduction phase, but it had in fact turned out ok. I have tried various new foods and recipes and am easily maintaining a low carb diet, with lots of recipes in the bank so to speak, so that I have a good selection of suitable foods and recipes for whenever I need them.
For me, it is a whole lifestyle change, and I fully embrace that, as I know it will benefit me in the long term with better health, so it is totally worth it.

Am now thinking about a nice holiday, (after my next blood test), possibly a Cruise, as the last six months have been a bit stressful, with lots to think about, so it would be nice to just chill out and switch off and relax somewhere. We have done a few cruises in the past, so would be good to go on another one.
 
So impressed with your results Peter. Going away on a cruise sounds lovely.
Your lifestyle changes have certainly worked for you. It's a difficult transition from soups and shakes to normal food.
 
A cruise sounds great and just rewards for all your efforts @pjgtech
 
Inspiring stuff @pjgtech

Thanks for sharing your experience of the Soup & Shake approach, and transitioning back to real food, with a positive eye on the future.

It’s a great success story!
 
well done you have done very well
xxx
gail
 
No major update really.
Still continuing with the low carb way of eating, (not going to call it a diet, as its my new way of life).
Still maintaining current weight (around 89 to 91kg) obviously weight fluctuates every day anyway, mine seems to go up or down 1kg from 90, hence the 89 to 91 above.
Still experimenting with different foods and recipes. Am eating well with lots of variety.
I do want to lose a bit more weight, as 85kg is my main goal.
But, although I have not really lost weight since Xmas, despite increasing food and calories, I have still not been exercising much. I really must try harder there. I am certain that if I increase exercise levels, then the next little bit of weight loss will be easier.
Motivation to continue is still high.
My consultations with the T2D Pathway health program provider (for me its Xyla Health) are still ongoing until the 12 month program period is over.
Currently approaching six months, (week 24/25?). But my telephone consultations have now gone to once a month, whereas they were previously every fortnight, and initially, in the early phase, they were weekly.
The ongoing support is good, and every week, (for me its every Monday) there is an online learning module to do via the Xyla phone app. I have found them to be helpful and they vary as time goes on, covering many subjects around Diabetes, the pathway programme, food, exercise, physical and mental health, how to recognise negative thoughts/behaviours, how to deal with family, friends, colleagues, having strategies in place to help with weight loss, diet, etc, etc.
Some of it is very thought provoking and I have certainly learnt a lot along the way.
For anyone that is just starting this program, it will help, you can lose weight, you can lower your BG levels, it will benefit you in the long term, so YES, it is worth doing.
Cheers
 
pjgtech said:
Some of it is very thought provoking and I have certainly learnt a lot along the way.
For anyone that is just starting this program, it will help, you can lose weight, you can lower your BG levels, it will benefit you in the long term, so YES, it is worth doing.
Click to expand...
Thanks for keeping us updated. What an amazing transformation you have undertaken @pjgtech
 
Ok, so my latest update....
Weight = 90kg ish, seems to swing from 89 to 91kg, so still a 24kg loss from when I was at my heaviest about 18 months ago (115kg!).
My weekly finger prick blood tests usually show around 5 to 5.5 so fairly normal.
Waist is fairly stable at around 34" to 35" so still 8" off my waist.
Had my last three monthly HbA1c blood test last Wednesday, checked on the NHS app (Patient Access) today and my latest HbA1c figure is - 41.
This is up slightly form my last one (which was 38), but obviously its still under (just) the pre diabetic range.
I am fairly happy with this as I have now been off the diabetic meds for six months (Metformin) and only controlling it with my diet.
I have been eating fairly normally, just eating much less carbs. I'd say I'm eating about 30% of the carbs that I used to eat, but its only a guestimate TBH.
I have been eating lots of cheese, eggs, etc so that may explain the slight rise in cholesterol which I have also seen in my latest bloods?
I have also been experimenting with various low cal/low carb treats, eg: cookies, cakes, etc, so could maybe cut back on these, plus a few other things I could still improve on, with regard to food, eg: less dips, etc.
Due to my dodgy knees, I have also done very little exercise recently, so this is an area I could definitely improve on.
So all in all I am fairly happy and continue on with the new lifestyle, eg: low carb eating.
 
Should have added, that I now suppose that I am technically "in remission"? 😎
 
Well done Peter! As you mentioned you are managing your blood glucose by diet alone which is a massive change from almost 2 years ago.
Keeping to the maintenance diet seems to be Keeping you on an even keel and you know what tweaks to do to keep in remission.
As far as I am aware the cholesterol in eggs don't contribute to your own cholesterol levels. Cheese etc may do. When I reduced carbs I had to increase fats and proteins to keep calories up. I do eat cheese, butter and cream but so far my trigs and cholesterol has actually reduced over 12 months. I suppose it's down to individual metabolism and everyone is different.
Hope your knees improve. Swimming might help.
The main thing that impresses me is that you seem quite relaxed about it all now after a long period of having to follow a rigid diet.

Onwards and downwards!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top