The photo on the left is what I looked like when I started my weight-loss and health ‘journey’ on March 16, 2017, 9 months ago. The photo on the right, is me today.
Based on my BMI, I was well into the Class I Obesity category 9 months ago. Based on my BMI today, I am just 15 pounds from my weight falling in the normal range.
At the beginning of March, my blood pressure ranged between Stage 2 Hypertension and Stage 1 Hypertension — sometimes being dangerously high. Now, my blood pressure hovers around 125/80 mmHg mark, and I am still on the ‘baby-dose’ of Ramipril for now, as it protects my kidneys.
My triglycerides and my LDL cholesterol (”bad cholesterol”) were high, certainly well above what it should have been for someone who has Type 2 Diabetes and had family risk factors. Thankfully, my HDL was good, offering some protection.
In the past 9 months, my morning fasting blood sugar has dropped from ±12 mmol/L (216 mg/dl) to anywhere from 5.8 mmol/L (105 mg/dl) to 6.5 mmol/L (117 mg/dl) – with the occasional 8.0 mmol/L (144 mg/dl) for seemingly no apparent dietary reason. For my fasting blood sugar to be in the non-diabetic range, it needs to be consistently below 5.5 mmol/L (99 mg/dl).
When I began this journey, my HbA1C was ~ 9.5% and during the last 30 days, I am averaging ~6.3% which is in the non-diabetic range. This has been entirely achieved without any medication to lower blood glucose.
I was determined to reverse the symptoms of Diabetes, high cholesterol and high blood pressure by changing how I ate and by introducing short periods of intermittent fasting and I have certainly made significant progress.
Weight and Body Measurements
I’ve lost ~25 lbs so far, but the changes in my body and face shape are even more noticeable, as evidenced by the photo above.
So far, I’ve lost;
- 1″³ off my upper arms
- 3″³ off my neck (!)
- 1″³ off my thighs
- 4 1/2″³ off my waist
This week, I reached the “goal weight” that I initially set for myself, but in order to attain an ideal waist circumference that is 1/2 my height, I probably have to lose another 20-25 pounds, which means I am half-way there.
I am entirely convinced that this is realistic and attainable.
Change only happens when the pain of staying the same is greater than the pain of changing.
Want to start your own weight loss and health journey? Why not send me a note using the “Contact Us” form above.
Wishing you and yours all the best for holiday season!
Joy
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Note: I am a “sample-set of 1” – meaning my results may or may not be like anybody else’s that follows a similar lifestyle. If you are considering eating “low carb” and are taking medication to control your blood sugar or blood pressure, please discuss it with your doctor, first.