CASE STUDY – Losing weight ‘reversed’ my Type 2 diabetes

Tracey Albert, 47, a former sales and marketing manager, is divorced and lives in Medway Kent. She has three children and three grandchildren.

She said: “I’d always been a healthy size 10 but after being made redundant in 2009, depression hit and I was eventually diagnosed with bi-polar disorder. The medication and depression triggered rapid weight-gain and over the next four years I ballooned from a size 10 to 26; I weighed just over 19 stone (I’m 5ft 1). I struggled to breathe and couldn’t sleep – I was constantly exhausted and needed sleeping tablets and was put on the list for gastric band surgery.

“In autumn 2013 I noticed I was thirsty and going to the loo a lot but was still shocked to be diagnosed with type 2 diabetes at a routine check up. I broke down and cried. But the diagnosis gave me a real kick up the bottom. I’d known I’d needed to lose weight but had been in denial.

“My GP prescribed metformin and enrolled me on a six week NHS nutrition course which taught me all about calorie and carbohydrate content of foods. I was advised to stick to 1200 calories a day, with just 140g carbohydrates – it was quite a change from my old diet of toast, sandwiches and pasta with sugary snacks such as biscuits and chocolate.

“I downloaded an app called Cals and Carbs which calculates what you’re eating, and bought a ‘diet plate’ and nutritional scales from diabetes.co.uk to help me plan the proportion of carbs, proteins and fats in my meals. I switched to low-carb pasta and made a tasty rice substitute out of blended cauliflower so I could still have meals like spaghetti Bolognese.

“I also I started walking twice a day, for 45 minutes at a time – I’d never exercised before. After the six-week course finished I was two stone lighter and felt so great I decided to go a step further and drop down to 800 calories a day (and just 100g carbs). I was amazed at how well I could still eat on this low amount. Within six months I’d lost three stone and my blood glucose levels were back to normal. My GP says I no longer needed to check my levels regularly and he’s taken me off the gastric band list.

“I’m still taking metaformin because it helps with weight loss and maintaining my blood sugar levels but I’m sure my doctor will take me off that soon. I’ve lost just under eight stone since my diagnosis, weighing a much healthier 11.5 stone. When I reach my ideal weight of 9 ½ stone I’ll talk to my GP about how to stay at that level. I’m determined to keep up my healthy lifestyle, and I’ve just signed up for a one-year diploma in nutrition and health to help others do the same.”

This content has been provided by Fiona Duffy, The Daily Mail.

For diabetes support, visit Europe’s largest forum for people with diabetes www.diabetes.co.uk