I beat my type 2 diabetes into submision.

reedusf

Thanks I needed to see something like this today. Congrats on your success.

KariOrtiz2014

Wow! That is amazing!!

TheDoctorDana

That is great news! Awesome work!

zezelryck

I used to be the archetypal western couch potato. I worked hard but ate all of the wrong stuff, drank way too much alcohol and never did any exercise at all, other than walking from my car to the counter in KFC. A couple of years ago I ended up in hospital for 29 days and was diagnosed with congenital heart failure. They also diagnosed sleep apnoea, type 2 diabetes, gout and a whole host of niggly little ailments basically all caused through bad lifestyle choices.

After being released from hospital weighing 276lb I was told I needed open heart surgery but that they couldn't risk operating whilst I was that weight, they suggested they would not even consider surgery until I got my self down below 210lb.

I completely disregarded what I was told for a further couple of years and finally got to 329lb. At this point I was warned I probably wouldn't last another 5 years. I have 2 beautiful daughters and a wonderful grandson and they seemed to be quite fond of me so I realised I had to do something serious to sort my life out.

On July 13 2012, I quit both smoking and drinking (which I did both heavily). Other than a few celebratory glasses of Champagne I have never touched alcohol since and never even fancied a cigarette.

On May 31st I went to my local slimming world group meeting. There was only one other male (my father) and around 50 females. It felt intimidating but they all made me feel very welcome. I have stuck by their slimming plan for the past 11 months and I have started swimming. When I was 329lb it used to take me about two and a half hours to complete 50 lengths of the pool in my local gym as I could only manage 4-5 lengths then I needed a 4-5 minute break. Over time I have managed to get that up to 80-85 lengths in 60 minutes. I can now do an hour without stopping and not even get out of breathe. I only do a kind of freestyle breast stroke but can manage around 1400 meters in an hour now.

Things I quit:

Smoking
Alcohol
Pop (soda) that has sugar in it
Fast food
Sitting up till 3am looking at rubbish on the internet or playing on-line games
Anything with sugar in it (other than in it's natural form)
No Chocolate
No Potato chips
No Pizza, chicken or burgers I didn't make myself

I also learned how to cook for myself. I have a photobucket site of some of my meals. I am definitely no Chef de cuisine and I am an even worse photographer, but I share my ideas with my slimming world friends and nowadays they do not pull so many contorted faces whilst browsing my meals lol.

I have a slimming group meeting tonight and fingers crossed I am hoping to get my 147lb (10½ stone) loss certificate.

I shall keep dieting and training until I hit 154lb, I figure as I am only 5"6 and I have a dodgy heart the closer I get to my BMI the healthier I will be.

Thanks for all of your wonderful words of encouragement, they really help.

bonnienicholson

You are so inspiring. Congratulations to you. I too was diagnosed with Type II diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. While spending over $100 at the drug store for medications, I said to myself "I am on all this medication and spending all this money because (1) I eat too much, and (2) because I don't exercise. I started eating healthy and exercising. So far I am down 23 pounds and I have taken myself off my diabetes medicine and blood pressure medicine. I monitor both and the next time I go for my A1C test, I am going to be able to show my doctor that I can do it!!! We can all do it. Thank you for your inspiration. I needed it today.

gitnfit2

Man what a life change, you look healthy and happy and what a great NSV

amberj32

You look great! Congrats! I was just diagnosed with diabetes and high blood pressure about 3 weeks ago. I've been eating healthier since and started to exercise. But I would like to get off the medication. But I wouldn't go off the medication without doctors approval.

Red_Nationhtx

WOW THAT IS AMAZING GREAT JOB, KEEP IT UP.

IF U don't mind me asking what did ur diet consist of? and what was ur exercise regimine?

zezelryck

Just a quick update. I went to my slimming group meeting tonight and got my 10½ Stone (147lb) certificate. Thats exactly 150lb lost so far since May 31st 2013 (about 50 weeks).

optionalsourcewins

Wow, this the best success story I have read. Congratulations - you've done an AWESOME job!!!

burnema

Awesome job!

bizgirl26

That is great news. It is always good to hear about the medical benefits as well as how one looks

LesaDave

Good for you...and what a change!!
Congrats on both the weight loss AND on kicking diabetes's butt!

Gr8ChangesAhead

That is awesome congratulations !

adonaipraise

Wow! Congratulation! Keep up the good work

ajones1965

Awesome : )

1lexisva

Amazing work!!!!!

jesslagr

Congratulations! I bet your daughters and grandson are thrilled that you are so much healthier now.

SCSTWG

Beyond impressive. There is no better reward than better health.

walkerpeggy81

hI when do you go back to the doc, i am curious how you came out. is it dangerous to take your self off of the blood pressure meds?

paulawatkins1974

Awesome! Good for you~!

LifeJacketWaterJogger

CLAP, CLAP, CLAP!!! :drinker:

cruciangyal1031

This is AWESOME!!!!! Congrats! My Bestfriend has diabetes and I'm sure she will be more than thrilled to read your story. I am so exited to tell her about this! Keep up the great work!

Saucy_lil_Minx

This is amazing!!! Taking your health seriously enough to take the bull by the horns is awe inspiring!!! I had some precursors for diabetes before I started working on my health. Then my mother was diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes, and frankly it scared the hell out of me to know I was heading that direction!
Since I have started working hard I have lost the precursors as well! I am truly proud of you, and SOOOO glad you shared your story!

HEAL is the biggest part of Health after all!! :happy: :happy:

whovian67

It's a daily fight to kick sugar's butt.. but I'm winning!!! You've done an amazing job !!

fleetzz

:drinker: :drinker: :drinker: :drinker:

mank32

you have given me great hope for my mother; i can't thank you enough :flowerforyou: :drinker:

libby328

amazing job!!!

vadi73

Fellow type II diabetic pals, I have a question. Should I be counting carbs at each meal along with using the calorie tracking on fitness pal? I have lost 18 lbs and 8 in total since March 13th but my fasting sugars are still higher than my doc wants they range between 111 and 133. My sugars go up at night and I take metformin 825 2 x's a day. Any hints to do more without getting too complicated?

GlucernaBrand

You've been making great progress! I think you'll find it helpful to keep track of carbohydrate intake at meals, and that way you can get more information about which foods work best for you. Often getting some type of exercise during the day will help lower blood sugar levels overall. ~Lynn /Glucerna