Our research shows that people with type 2 diabetes can improve control of their condition by making healthy lifestyle changes and losing weight following Slimming World’s Food Optimising eating plan. Type 2 diabetes is a major contributor to kidney failure, heart attack and stroke – and there are currently 3.4 million people with the condition in England, plus a further five million at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
To show how we can help, we’re sharing Helen Rogers’ inspiring story. She joined Slimming World after struggling to control her diabetes on her own and, with the support of her Consultant and fellow members, she learned how to enjoy eating out while keeping her slimming plans on track. Now 8st lighter, she’s been able to ditch her diabetes medication!
MORE ON THE BLOG: How type 2 diabetes can be reversed by losing weight with Slimming World
If you’d like to find out more about joining Slimming World, you can find our latest special offers here.
Back in 2018, I had uncontrolled diabetes and had the threat of taking insulin hanging over me. I was taking nine tablets a day: six to manage the diabetes, two for my blood pressure and one statin for cholesterol.
I’d dieted on and off for my entire adult life but the weight always crept back on as I slipped back into old habits. I worked from home so I was often on calls and I’d usually grab something quick like buttery toast for breakfast and a sandwich and crisps for lunch, then I’d cook a meal for tea. Although I rarely ate fried food, takeaways or sweet foods like chocolate, I was a big fan of savoury snacks like crisps, nuts, crumpets and crackers.
MORE FOR MEMBERS: Is snacking sabotaging your slimming? Our snacks and nibbles without the Syns feature will help keep your weight loss on track
I joined Slimming World in March 2018. I was incredibly nervous as I entered the room for the first time, however the Consultant’s kind and reassuring tone made me feel more at ease. Weighing in at 20st 8½lbs, I decided I was going to give this my all and see where it would take me.
Eating out – the Slimming World way!
I was surprised by how much I enjoyed joining in conversations with the other members in group each week. Their encouragement kept me motivated, and talking about the week ahead really helped me to plan for events that could throw me off track, like eating out.
In the past, I’d come home after a meal out and feel like I’d blown my slimming plans because I’d eaten more than I’d intended. Talking the challenge through in group helped me see that I could use my new Food Optimising knowledge to look up the menu beforehand, pick out the Free or lower-Syn dishes on the menu and make a foolproof plan to follow.
MORE FOR MEMBERS: You can eat out on Slimming World! Our guide to eating out will help you spot the healthier menu options and put you in control of your slimming destiny
Life free of diabetes medication
I had blood tests this month and I’m chuffed to say my latest diabetes blood results are 41, which means my diabetes is now in remission. My cholesterol looks good, too, so while I still take one tablet for my blood pressure and another for my cholesterol, I’m off all my diabetes medication and have dropped from nine tablets a day to just two.
I used to avoid exercise, but Slimming World’s Body Magic programme inspired me to move more and I go out of my way to walk to places I’d have driven to before. Now I walk 10 to 14,000 steps a day. I have so much more energy, I’ve even joined a gym! I’m able to get up and down the stairs a lot easier and, as I’m now a size 14/16 (compared to a size 26/28 before), it’s also far easier to buy clothes.
I’m delighted that I’m healthier having lost weight, and I’m especially glad I managed to reverse the diabetes. I’ve recently got a new part-time job – before I didn’t feel confident enough to even look for a new role, so I’m definitely excited to start this new chapter of my life in the New Year.
Helen’s day on a plate
BEFORE
Breakfast: Toast thickly spread with butter.
Lunch: Ham, cheese or tuna sandwich (granary bread with butter) and crisps.
Dinner: Cooked roast dinner with gravy, or chicken and frozen chips, sliced bread and butter.
Snacks: Crisps, salted nuts, crackers.
AFTER
Breakfast: Omelette or fruit and yogurt.
Lunch: Chicken and quinoa salad.
Dinner: Slimming World sticky chicken with lots of vegetables.
Snacks: Corn cakes, Hi-fi bar, fish sticks, boiled eggs, lean ham, a few Babybel Light cheeses.
As Helen’s story shows, making healthy lifestyle changes can improve control of type 2 diabetes. If you feel losing weight could transform your health, we can help. Slimming World members will receive tailored weight loss support to overcome every challenge along their journey. Find out more about joining Slimming World here.