A Slimming World enthusiast says she has cured her type 2 diabetes after embarking on a mega weight loss programme.
When Hilary Sard, 57, was diagnosed with the illness, she was presented with a simple choice by her GP - lose weight or start taking medication.
She chose to sign up to Slimming World that day and, within just a week, she had lost 13lbs, leaving her doctor "visibly stunned", Wales Online reported.
Now having lost a massive 12 stone, Ms Sard has not only reversed her diabetes but has also handed back her disabled parking badge as her health has gone from strength to strength.
She said: "I’ve dropped 8 dress sizes from a size 34 to a size 16 and find buying clothes far easier now especially since my friend Angelica took me shopping. With her careful guidance, I went into high street stores I’d never dared enter before.
"She directed me away from the baggy drab options which were far too big for me and helped me to consider beautifully cut trousers and shapely colourful dresses. Since losing weight, I’ve got so much more energy.
"From struggling to walk to the supermarket from my car and choosing to drive the 2 minute walk to the corner shop, I now easily manage 15K steps a day and I choose to walk to places I used to drive to, in all weathers.
"I’ve even taken on an allotment and I’m able to enjoy a lot of the produce I grow, like asparagus, broad beans and strawberries in my Slimming World meals.
“I’ve stopped taking most of my medication and given back my blue badge as I don’t need it anymore. I’m much more outgoing, I have a new zest for life and I’m keen to find a new relationship having been single for the past 7 years as I’ve been so self-conscious about my weight.
"Losing weight has given me much more confidence and I feel like I have a brighter future."
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Research shows that people with type 2 diabetes can drastically improve the management of their illness by making healthy lifestyle changes and losing weight through the tailored Slimming World programme.
Incredibly, more than half (51%) of Slimming World members who lost at least 10% of their body weight said they had reversed their type 2 diabetes.
Almost two-thirds (61%) were able to reduce or stop taking medication and 81% saw improvements in their blood glucose management. On top of that, some 80% reported improved quality of life and 76% of members with type 2 diabetes said they found it easy to fit dietary recommendations from their healthcare team into Slimming World’s Food Optimising eating plan.
After ten months of working hard on the programme, Ms Ward saw her GP and will never forget his amazement at her weight loss.
"He couldn’t believe it was me and looked at me blankly, he was speechless and finally said, 'Incredible. It can be done!'" she said.
"I felt so proud, by eating healthily and being more active, I’d managed to reverse my diabetes.”
