I’m diabetic. There, said it. It’s type 2 so it could be worse. Nonetheless, to admit I have it gives it the importance it needs. This blog is my journey through the last 12 months.

In November 2024 I was drawn to sign up with a personal trainer and I contacted my GP surgery to arrange for a health mot to make sure I didn’t keel over when lifting weights. I’m built for gentler pursuits! The trainer put me on a high activity, low calorie regime. Essentially walking, weights, balanced diet with little carbohydrate and salt, and no sugar or processed foods. I dropped 1kg in weight per week, felt fitter, got stronger. This proved timely for what was to come.   

In January 2025 the doctors took bloods and these were used for a HbA1c test. This test shows average blood sugar levels over the last 2-3 months. The reading was 65 mmol/mol (10.3 mmol/l). Trust me, the numbers can be confusing (!) so for clarity the diabetic ranges are:

• Normal – 42 mmol/mol (6.9 mmol/l)
• Pre-diabetic – 43-47 mmol/mol (7-7.7 mmol/l)
• Diabetic – 48 mmol/mol + (7.8 mmol/l +)

(Mmol/mol and mmol/l are simply reading measurements. I don’t need to know what they signify, just that they can be used as a marker for progress.)

So my reading put me in the diabetic range. At this stage it wasn’t confirmed I was type 2 but it was unlikely I was type 1. In reality, I'd probably been carrying this for many years.  I'm not sure if it was hereditary or if poor lifestyle had caused it.  That's incidental now, I have it.

Type 2 diabetes is high blood sugar levels due to the body not making enough of a hormone called insulin, or the insulin it makes not working properly, known as insulin resistance. High blood sugar levels over time can cause health problems like heart attacks and strokes, as well as problems with eyes, kidneys, and feet. These are called diabetes complications. 

The longer that type 2 diabetes remains undiagnosed the greater the risk of developing long-term complications such as eye disease (retinopathy). Being diagnosed earlier means these can be spotted and treated. I have family history of health issues so taking my diabetic reading seriously takes on more importance. I’m only focusing on type 2 in this blog as that is what I have and is the most usual form. As you will see, it may be possible to reverse type 2, but it does involve effort.

The most common symptoms of diabetes are:

• feeling thirsty all the time
• peeing more than usual
• feeling very tired
• losing weight without trying

Having diabetes can increase your chance of getting other health problems, including:

• heart attack and stroke
• kidney problems
• nerve damage and foot problems – diabetes can cause damage to nerves (peripheral neuropathy)
• sight problems
• gum disease

Complications can develop over time and are linked to high blood glucose (sugar) levels. Managing your blood glucose well and keeping to your agreed target level can lower your chances of getting complications.

Treatment for diabetes includes regular health checks and getting support to be active, eat healthily, and maintain a healthy weight. Sometimes you may need to take medication, including insulin, and check your blood sugars regularly too.

Blood sugar levels can be reduced by following a healthy, balanced diet. One which limits added sugars and refined or processed starchy foods, and which includes plenty of fruit and vegetables, beans, pulses, lean protein and sources of healthy (unsaturated) fats.

While this will not lower your blood sugar immediately, over time a healthy diet plus regular exercise can lower your blood sugar to a normal level. I took personal responsibility for my own health and self-treatment. I beat myself up for being in that position in the first place.

Six weeks after the original HbA1c reading, I went for a second one. The result for this one was 56 mmol/mol (9 mmol/l (I’ll use this measurement only from now)). So my levels had dropped 15%. This was because of increased levels of exercise as well as the calorie deficit diet. In Feb, I bought myself a blood test reader so I could monitor myself on a more regular basis. This does involve finger prick testing so not good for those with needle phobias. Other types of reader are available.

In March I saw the practice diabetic nurse. They talked about long term issues if lifestyle changes weren’t made. They weren’t very pleasant I have to say! I was also given some helpful leaflets etc for home reading. The nurse was surprised I was taking accountability for my own health. Not the done thing obviously!

In April I had a phone call with the gp. They wanted to prescribe me metformin, the common medical approach to diabetes. I politely declined. In addition to lifestyle changes I had already made, I was taking berberine and true cinnamon. These are natural solutions and I chose to follow this path with the help of a naturopath friend. Of course, diet and exercise were also important. My approach had already seen a 15% reduction in levels so I was confident this was the right way for me.  At this point it was confirmed that I had Type 2 diabetes mellitus. That increased my resolve to fight and reverse it.

I saw an continued reduction in blood sugar levels over a regular period. In June, I had a further HbA1c test. This was 6.9 mmol/l. This is the top end of the normal range. To put it another way, in 5 months I’d dropped my blood sugar levels by 34%. Without prescribed medication.

Now in that time I’d done some silly things like eating cake to see just how that affected my levels. I persuaded myself this was for research purposes but in reality, I’d always had a sweet tooth and I just caved. I’d not had sugar at all for months. I felt shaky, hyper, and of course my levels rose substantially. So you see, common sense is something needed all the time. Although a little bit of naughtiness is ok, eating crap every day to excess stores problems for the future.

The beauty of taking my own readings was that I could monitor closely and identify issues that affect levels. I started a job in March which had physical as well as mental responsibilities. It could be stressy at times and I quickly realised that stress affected glucose levels massively. So I made sure I was clear of mind by meditating first thing in the morning. Following Reiki meditation practices in the morning made a big difference to my stress levels.

My lowest readings were during 2 festivals in August. At both I was giving Reiki and massage treatments so I was in a pretty good place for sure. Also, I was amongst friends and the weather was lush. And no stress, I ate sensibly, rested, and drank fresh spring water. Pretty idyllic tbh. But I did have a day where I ate carbs for breakfast, lunch, and tea. Dickhead right? Oh yes. I felt like shit the next day. More lessons learned on how to keep my levels on track though.

A family holiday and wedding in Sept/Oct was the next challenge. This was in Cyprus. Similar to Aug, the weather was gorgeous and it was a deeply resting break. I ate mainly a high protein carnivore diet, swam a lot, and got loads of vitamin D from sunbathing. For the first time in four years, I drank alcohol. I did stick to gin and tonic but even though I just had a few cheeky pink gins, these raised my levels the following morning. But whilst going back through my readings, the morning is when my levels were consistently highest. As my body woke and I moved, this reduced my levels fairly quickly though. I realised I didn’t miss hangovers though so not drunk since then.

I went away over Christmas. Full board in a hotel, lots of temptation. The coach arrived late and we were asked to go straight to the dining room for dinner. As I went in, someone was receiving CPR. They sadly passed. I later learned that the person was diabetic and hadn’t taken their insulin. I suspect this wasn’t the only medical issue that caused their passing, but it brought home to me the risks of ignoring diabetes. I didn’t want to deteriorate and become insulin dependent. It was a stark reality check.

Throughout the remainder of my stay I talked to many people and quite a few of them had diabetes. This is one of the reasons why I thought telling my story might help to raise awareness. If just one person can benefit, this blog has done its job.

New Years Eve 2025 I fasted until 2.30pm then had fruit and full fat Greek yoghurt smothered in cinnamon, and various seeds. Low/zero fat yoghurt is far higher in carbs. Checking food labels is something I do now as standard.

My reading two hours later was 5.7 mmol/l. Pretty damn good I say. I was asleep by 11pm whilst listening to meditation tracks rather than fireworks. The rock n roll lifestyle is but a distant memory nowadays!! But the year of my personal health project was complete. Health before wealth, me before conformity.

Today is New Years Day. This morning my reading is 5.8. I didn’t wake in the night for a pee. Result!!  I slept right through. Sleep is so important to health and healing. My weight is still around 18 pounds lower than when I started seeing the trainer. My diet is balanced, I drink plenty of water.  Exercise could be more but my new job will mean at least 40 minutes walking daily.  I feel good.

Prior to writing this blog, I created a spreadsheet and entered all my blood sugar readings.  From a starting point of 10.3 nearly 12 months ago, my overall average is 7 for the whole year. I have gone from being diabetic, through pre-diabetic and am now 0.1 away from being in the normal glucose range. I am bloody chuffed that I have achieved this. And I will continue to work on decreasing my levels. 

Two weeks today I have a further HbA1c scheduled. And every year I will need to have a specialist eye test to check for deterioration. But it’s been a great kick up the ass for me. My previous lifestyle wasn’t great but now it is. We only get one crack at this life, and our bodies respect us for recognising that and trying to be healthy. Balancing mind, body, and soul really feels kinda nice.

This is a condition that if unchecked will have major implications for the future. Simple but sensible lifestyle changes will help, and in many cases reverse high blood sugar readings.  In reality I'm sure most of us are at least a little pre-diabetic generally, but certainly after the excesses of Christmas. But please consider getting checked if you experience any of the symptoms, especially if you have them regularly.  You'll thank yourself for it.