“My body is healing and I have reversed diabetes”

Magdalena struggled with binge eating, yo-yo dieting and a stressful job which caused her to put on a lot of weight. After a blood test she realized that she had type 2 diabetes.

Conventional low-fat advice didn’t help much, but then she found a Facebook group and low-carb…

The E-Mail

Hi,
I am a member of a Facebook group called reversing diabetes and a poster suggested I share my story here, so here you go!

Fourteen years ago, I had a dangerous pregnancy that began with an undiagnosed case of gestational diabetes. An emergency c-section was performed and I was lucky enough to survive with a healthy baby boy.

I did not know that gestational diabetes could predispose the body to type 2. I did not know that my horrible habit of yo-yo dieting and binge eating could also up my chances of developing an insulin resistance.

After many years of being home with my boys, I started teaching. The first year was so stressful, as is common in my profession. The only thing that helped destress was the piles of sugary treats that were often calling my name in the lounge. I gained 40 lbs (18 kg) my first year. I felt sluggish and foggy, but related that to my high stress job. I continued to gain over the summer and into the second year.

I went to my doctor for routine yearly checkup and my blood pressure was really high. I laughed and said, “Well, I am a teacher.” She was not convinced and sent me in for a full panel of blood work.

A couple weeks later, I was back in the office with the news. My fasting blood sugar was 155. My ac1 was 6.7. The list of uh-ohs was long, and my mind blurred. I had begun a journey with diabetes. More tests were ordered. My heart was pounding, and all I could hear was, “Avoid bread.”

Armed with nothing more than a bunch of bad news, I went to work. I taught all day. I ate a cupcake, a terrible one, that a student brought to celebrate their birthday. I thought, oh well, this will probably be my last.

My husband listened intently to my story. He said, “Well, what are you going to do?” Because, I always do something. I got online and started looking. Researching everything I could find. I started, of course, with the ADA. Everything on there seemed wrong. Fruit flavored yogurt? Huh? So, I went back to the 4 hour body book I yo-yo’ed with once. Slow carbs. That might be the ticket.

I did slow carb for about a month. It got me through the holidays with my beloved beans instead of garbage food. Lentils were my best friend. My sugars were “better” but still high. I did not know what the goal really was. I tested, but randomly and not really understanding what it meant.

Then, in January of this year I stumbled on the Reversing Diabetes group on Facebook. I read, and read, and read. I asked a dumb question about why beans aren’t ok. I started following the advice to a letter.

I have yo-yo’ed my whole life. I last about a month before I cheat. Sometimes I can pick myself up and go back at it. More often, I binge. These last 6 months has been amazingly easy and satisfying. I don’t fantasize about food. I don’t crave those awful donuts in the lounge. I eat freely and on plan every single day.

I have now lost 48 lbs (22 kg) and reduced my a1c to 5.4 with the help of just LCHF. My doctor reduced my metformin 3 months ago, and as of yesterday told me to go off. My blood pressure is normal. My headaches and sluggishness are gone. My body is healing.

And I have reversed diabetes.

Comments

Fantastic to hear that you’ve been able to reverse your diabetes and lose weight Magdalena!

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