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Roy: “I feel fitter than I have in years”

Roy is living with type 2 diabetes, and has lost 20 kgs since he started the Second Nature programme in July, six months ago.

Roy: “I feel fitter than I have in years”

Roy is living with type 2 diabetes, and has lost 20 kgs since he started the Second Nature programme in July 2017.

Roy took the programme as part of our first NHS trial, which aimed to help people living with type 2 diabetes better manage their condition and reduce their risk of complications.

What brought you to Second Nature?

I am 73 years old, and have always been very overweight, peaking at 22 stone in my mid-50s. I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes at the age of 60, and have always controlled it quite well, although the medication has steadily increased over time.

My diabetic nurse suggested I try the Second Nature programme. I have always been willing to try anything that may help, so I readily agreed.

What changes did Second Nature help you make?

The programme meant a complete change in lifestyle.

I was drinking about 20 units of alcohol a week, and while I was not dramatically overeating (Liraglutide tends to suppress the appetite), I was obviously eating all the wrong things.

I have frequently tried to diet, by eating less of the usual foods, but I’ve always found it difficult to do anything in moderation. I could never cut down on smoking. If I smoked, it was 30 a day– but then when I decided to quit about 15 years ago, I did so quite easily.

While the programme wasn’t asking me to, I stayed very close to the Reset phase throughout the programme. No alcohol, and no carbs except for porridge for breakfast. I appreciate that I could have had some carbs, but decided to go without!

What did you like or dislike about the programme?

I found it encouraging to have somebody monitoring my weight loss, and while the coaching was in no way intrusive, it was good to know there was someone out there!

I didn’t get on well with the step tracking though. My decaying joints don’t make walking too enjoyable, so for six years I have swum for 45 minutes 5 mornings a week, but I found it difficult to calculate this which made me feel like I was failing the exercise part of the programme.

How do you feel now?

I am feeling fitter than I have for many years – I would have no hesitation to recommend the programme. Thank you!

Congratulations Roy on your success!

We love hearing about how the programme has helped people make lasting changes to their mindset and their lifestyle. And it can be especially tough when managing a condition like type 2 diabetes. But making changes to your lifestyle can certainly help prevent or reduce your risk of complications.

You can read more Second Nature stories here.

*Photo has been anonymised at the user’s request.

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