John’s diabetes remission story
John, from Derbyshire, has been attending the NHS Low Calorie Diet Programme with Xyla and has seen some amazing changes since starting his journey. He has been happy to share with us some of his experiences and results.
Life before the programme:
I had only been diagnosed with diabetes for a few months before starting this programme. I was on medication, taking four tablets a day. The medication made me feel spaced out and not very well. It made me want to sit in my armchair and sleep. As soon as I started the programme, I began to see the benefits. I would say I was relatively active before the programme, but I did find that I was out of breath when I would go up the stairs and wouldn’t be active for long periods of time.
Introduction to the programme:
I was introduced to the programme by my nurse who sent me a text about it. Since 2013, I have had high blood pressure and have been overweight for a few years. I have never felt right health wise and exercise would cause me to be out of breath. In the past I have tried other diets and lost weight so was aware of the benefits of doing so and feeling better afterwards. I knew the only way to feel better again was to participate in something that was more long-term. I felt it was the right thing to do and it has been amazing.
What is your experience on the programme so far?
The support from the practitioners has been great. I have been doing all the online learning alongside the sessions from the app and the topics covered have been good. I no longer crave the unhealthy food options I previously had. Before the programme I used to drink a little, not a lot, and started reducing this. Since being on the diet I have not missed it at all.
How has the programme improved your health and your life?
I have found many positive changes since I started the programme. Firstly, my HbA1c reading has reduced. My blood pressure is also in the healthy range for the first time in years. I have managed to reduce and/or stop some of the medication I have been on. I have been on the programme for 14 weeks and so far, I have lost almost 4 stone. My sleep has also improved, and I no longer need to wake up in the night for a drink of water. I feel more active and younger being able to carry on for longer. I used to get out of breath when being active and using the stairs, I never feel like that now. Prior to this plan, I had aching knees, but this doesn’t happen anymore.
Did you achieve the goals you set for yourself at the beginning of the programme?
The overall goal was to have a healthy weight and healthy life. I feel these have already been achieved. I also wanted to go into remission and I have achieved this goal also. When starting, I set out to lose weight, which has been going well so far. I would like to lose around 3 more stone, which I no longer see as a problem, instead it’s very doable. Thinking of the future, I also plan to maintain my weight once I reach my goal. My motivation for this comes from the benefits I have been experiencing. I am feeling positive about the rest of the programme to come.
Xyla, part of Acacium Group, is dedicated to making the UK’s local and workplace communities healthier. Working with local authorities, CCGs, NHS England and employers, we develop, implement and evaluate innovative health and wellbeing services that will result in long-term health benefits.
For more information on our diabetes services contact us.
