Roughly 100 lbs GONE no longer type 2 diabetic

Started in 2008, I was told I was type 2 diabetic in 2000, but I am sure it went back as far as me in high school, I was always tired, always taking naps, and still never had energy. Once diagnosed I never really took it seriously, until in 2008 doctor said "if you do not change we are probably going to have to put you on insulin." That was my wake up call, that got my attention, and that was when I said to myself I have to do something and make a change.

When I started going to the gym I didnt really concentrate on weight loss, it was about getting more active, turning one bad habit into a good habit at a time, baby steps, lifestyle changes. Instead of playing a computer game all the time called Everquest 2, I started to go to the gym a few days a week. Weight was not moving much. But then a new drug came out for diabetes type 2 called Byetta, it was great for controlling sugar levels with those who were struggling on the standard pills like metformin and glyburide and were not on insulin yet.

Once I started taking Byetta within 2 weeks the weight started to go down, and I did not change anything. I got all the way down to about 215, and then I had to switch doctors and the new doctor she would not put me on Byetta, so over 1.5 year time I trickled back up to 230. She would not put me on Byetta, she told me I was just eating to much, even though I told her my diet was the same and I was eating 1200 calories a day and I tracked it all in myfitnesspal, I even brought in 3 months of daily food logs to show her. So I finally gave up on her and found another doctor, and he put me on the newer form of Byetta called Bydureon which I only had to give one injection a week to myself vs 2 times a day on Byetta.

2 weeks after starting Bydureon the weight started to drop, go figure right? I got all the to 185 before I had to stop taking it as it was making feel like I had the flu for 2 weeks after taking the shot, so doc said I could probably stop taking all type 2 medications at this point. 1.5 year later my a1c was 5.4 and multiple a1c tests I was in normal range with no medications. Doctor said I was now type 2 free as long as I could keep the weight off and continue my new lifestyle of eating, and exercising.

I have been free of type 2 diabetes now for 2 years. At my heaviest weight I was about 310 lbs, I did get down to 170, but now I am trying to change body composition, so I am roughly around 195 and the only goal that I have not done is to get rid of the stubborn flab off my torso, some have said I will need surgery to remove it, but I have been trying to do it the old fashioned way. We will see, but I now go to the gym 5 days a week minimum, I relax some around the holidays now that I know I am capable of getting right back on track once holidays are over. I do not every plan on stop doing my new lifestyle, I literally have to talk myself out of going to the gym.

The tips I give folks when you first starting, dont stress about trying to change everything all at once, this is going to be your new lifestyle, it is not something you do for 8 months and then get to go back to what got you where you were, you cant do that. So you absolutely have to make bad habits into good ones, start by being active, go to the gym, or just get out and walk 3-5 days a week, and when your brain is trying to talk you out of doing it, lie to yourself, it sounds crazy but just say ok ok I will just go and do 15 minutes and make it an easy day. The hardest part I swear is SHOWING UP, once you show up and start you just got through the hardest part, often when I did this I would actually do my normal work out not the easy 15 minute workout I lied to myself about doing. Because once I showed up to the gym I got through the hardest part. After you are going 3-5 days a week for 2-3 months you now have a good habit going, now change something else, maybe add another day, maybe change your diet and start to track all calories. Then when you have done that consistently for 2 months find something else to add or change. Before you know it you have completely turned old bad habits into good ones and you are well on your way to a happier healthier you!

There will be ups and downs, but you can not give up, you keep going, do not ever let anything get in your way.

The first photo is just a face to face, the 2nd photo is a body shot from 2008 when I was wearing size 50 pants, the after shot is now from the gym size 34 waist pants.