I was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes in September 2007 following a nasty attack of pancreatitis. I lost my 20-year job because of depression six months earlier. This, together with the diagnosis, caused further depression and weight gain.

Then I changed my lifestyle.

I now only eat food I have prepared myself from scratch and eat unrefined carbs and plenty of vegetables. I stopped drinking diet Coke and similar low calorie drinks and began to increase my water intake. I eat red meat only on a Sunday, chicken once a week, a complete vegetarian meal once a week and the rest of the time is fish.

Then I began aqua aerobics and soon after included the gym and now I play badminton as well. The results?

I have never felt better, fitter or more positive. Initially, I lost seven pounds when I began to exercise, but my cargo shifted and the fat started to turn to muscle. My blood sugar levels have decreased from 12 to 4 or 5.

I am convinced now that excellent nutrition and exercise are key to combating my health problems. I get days of depression, but I try and remain focused on my goals - to get well and try and undo what I have inflicted on my body for the last 20 years.

I would say to anyone like me, when you're ready, stop eating rubbish, tone up your body, and get as well as you can. The rewards are overwhelming.

Since mid-January, I have lost a total of 25lbs when I started on my healthy eating and exercise program. This means I have gone down two sizes. I am also much fitter as I made exercise part of my daily routine.

In addition, my depression improved, my self-confidence improved, and I found I was over-medicating so when I went to the diabetes clinic, I was taken off Gliclazide and now only take 2 x 850g Metformin instead of 3. My sugar levels have remained around 5 to 6.
 
Also, the fantastic news for me is that I have found a job which I really enjoy.  After several rejections for jobs my new employer took me on, despite my diabetes and this is a massive boost to my morale. I no longer take medication for depression either.
 
For me the next step is simple. I shall keep doing what I am doing - healthy eating - no processed food or artificial drinks - and regular exercise.

My dietician told me I had ‘reversed’ my condition and although I know I shall always be diabetic, I am fortunate enough to be able to manage it and enjoy a full and ‘normal’ life.

My weight has stabilised, but my body shape has drastically improved, where the fat deposits have greatly reduced from my mid section and my whole body is toning up nicely. Of course, losing a fair bit of weight and eating healthily has improved my skin and significantly reduced my constant migraines and I no longer have aches in my abdomen or indigestion.

LINDA

 

HI

I have been diagnosed with Type1 diabetes for 18 years. I have had my ups and downs like everyone, but on the whole I have been fit and healthy by checking my eyes and blood sugar levels. 

I been driving now for three years in the UK, never really having any problems regarding my sugar levels.

My mum always says "check your sugar levels when you drive. I know it is annoying, but it's better to be safe than sorry."

When I go on  a long journey I always check my levels and make sure I take something sweet like lucozade in case I need it.

The other night I finished work and got into my car. The weather was grey and rainy, the journey time from work to home is 10 minutes on the motorway. I got onto the motorway and came up to my junction, but was in the wrong lane to turn off, so I continued to the next junction. 

The only problem was my sugar levels was dropping and my warning signs did not kick in, so I continued driving.

I started to get confused, but not really thinking anything of it. I got lost and even more confused driving around.  One hour passed since I left work and my sugar levels continued to drop. I took a turning off the motorway, about five junctions down where I was supposed to get off and I hit a post at full speed. The airbags activated and that's all I remember.

Then  a few minutes later I woke up crying and screaming having also wet myself  to be surrounded by two paremedics giving me a gluco jab and trying to get my sugar levels up after they dropped to 1.9.

Due to hitting a post and having whiplash, the paramedics called out the fire brigade who cut the roof off my car to get me out as they were worried that my spine could be damaged and if I moved I could be paralised. 

After about 40 minutes I was pulled out on a spine board and all around me were firefighters and police making sure I was OK.  I was in shock but still I had not realized what had happen to me.

All I could think was 'please God make sure my spine is OK so I can walk. I don't care about the £3000 I just spent last week buying my new car.'

After a full check from the doctors I was discharged with no fractures or cracks to my spine. Leaving the hospital I was still shaky and thinking how I am going to tell my family what happened. 

I had to go through a bad experience to realize that I should have a blood test every time I get into  a car and drive, regardless how short my trip is going to be.