How the Miller family regained their health

Todd was overweight and his diabetes was out of control with progressive side effects. Todd and his wife became inspired by two of their friends who had lost a lot of weight on a low-carb diet. The friends told them about the Diet Doctor site:

Dr. Eenfeldt,

I’m writing to thank you for your work! You and your team have been an invaluable resource for me and my family on our low-carb journey. Two and a half years ago, I was diabetic, overweight, and felt terrible. And I was defeated. I had believed the lie that diabetes was a chronic, progressive disease and just something that I would have to deal with until I died early from complications.

In March of 2016, my eye doctor told me that I had retinopathy in both eyes, which shocked and scared me. A couple of weeks later my A1c came in at 8.3, this while on two oral medications. The doctor suggested increasing my dosage. And I had a myriad of health issues that I didn’t think was related: chronic heartburn and acid reflux, sleep apnea, neuropathy in my feet, skin tags, inflammation in my hand and neck, and a few other things. I was sick, still gaining weight, and losing the battle with diabetes.

I had done some research over the years and was convinced that wheat was a big culprit (I had a brother with celiac disease at the time). My wife and I had tried low carb in years past but didn’t have much success with sticking with the diet. In retrospect, I know that we had fallen victim to counting “net carbs”, which kept us from losing weight and from feeling satiated. But the greatest inspiration at the time was watching a friend and his wife lose a combined 235 pounds (107 kilos) on a low-carb diet. He’s the one that told me about your website.

So, I decided to give it another try. What did I have to lose, right? I started my low-carb journey on June 6, 2016, D-Day (now Diet Day to me), and I haven’t looked back since. My only regret is not preparing my wife before embarking on this journey, but I am very thankful and grateful that she immediately offered her support and encouragement. You see, I didn’t want to force my new lifestyle on my family. I thought this would be my cross to bear and didn’t want to make them “suffer” with me. I was wrong because it’s been anything but suffering.

My wife had already lost 40 pounds after beginning a job that required physical labor, but her weight loss had stalled. She joined me in counting carbs and she lost another 40 pounds (18 kilos) over the next six to eight months. And our youngest son, who was 15 at the time, began with us as well and lost 60 pounds (27 kilos) in just a few months. Our whole household started to benefit because we stopped buying and stocking processed carbs, bread, pasta, fruits and vegetable oils.

When I went for my annual check-up in March of 2017, I had already lost 50 pounds (22 kilos). I told my doctor what I was doing. He seemed skeptical but encouraged me to continue. He wanted to see my numbers, so he ordered my labs. My A1c result was 6.3! That was after nine months on a low-carb diet with NO medications! He asked to see me again in the fall.

It was at that time that I was beginning to understand the benefits of eating more fat and the importance of intermittent fasting. I bought Dr. Fung’s book on fasting and started eating one meal per day. I dropped another 30 pounds (14 kilos) in six months.

So, in November of 2017, I went in for my follow-up blood work. My doc mailed the results before my consultation with him. My A1c result this time was 5.0! That was after 17 months on low carb with NO medications! When we met, I feigned ignorance and asked him “Is an A1c of 5.0 considered good”? He smiled and said it was better than his! Before I left his office, I gave him a copy of Dr. Fung’s book on fasting, which he said he would read.

About this time, unknown to me and my wife, our oldest daughter who lives four hours away, began a keto diet. She lost 45 pounds (20 kilos) and recently wore her high school prom dress again to a family outing to the ballet. And our middle son started restricting his intake of most carbs, especially wheat. He has noticed an improvement with his asthma.

In January of 2018, I surprised my wife with a ballroom dance class for her birthday. She looked at me and said, “Who are you and what have you done with my husband”? It was a humorous response because she was shocked that I would even consider such a thing. In years past, I would never have dreamed of doing something like this. Back then, I didn’t feel good and didn’t feel good about myself. It has been therapeutic to be able to get out on the dance floor and “move” with the wife of my youth. Getting healthy on an LCHF diet has made me feel young again. This way of eating saved my life, in more ways than one.

My wife and I recently joined you on the 2018 Low Carb Cruise. We came to celebrate this milestone, our 30th anniversary, to dance, and to meet you so we could thank you in person.

Thanks again for all you do!

Todd (and Dollie) Miller (both age 52)
Amarillo, Texas

Comment

Thank you for sharing your amazing story, and congratulations on all your success!

What really disturbs me is how common your story is. People everywhere are told that their type 2 diabetes is chronic and progressive, and requires medication for life. Often, none of these things are true. It’s a disgrace, and it needs to change, fast.

Fortunately, people like you are effectively spreading the word and giving people hope.

/ Andreas Eenfeldt, MD

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