Diabetic lost five stone in weight with condition now in remission

Diabetic lost five stone in weight with condition now in remission

10 April 2024

A SAINTFIELD diabetic says he feels “really good” thanks to an innovative dietary programme.

Peter Jackson (68) is now in remission from his Type Two Diabetes and an incredible five stone lighter as a result of taking part in a polite programme at the Ulster Hospital in Dundonald.

“I feel really positive and I have a sense of achievement,” Peter remarked.

 The programme for Type Two Diabetes patients is aimed at those who are overweight and have recently received a diagnosis.

The programme follows three phases. Phase one provides a diet composed of nutritionally complete foods such as soups and shakes, for up to 12 weeks.

The second phase begins a reintroduction of food for six weeks and the third provides subsequent weight maintenance support for 34 weeks.

Peter started the remission programme at the Ulster when he was aged 65 under the guidance of consultant endocrinologist, Dr Roy Harper in August 2021. He has never looked back. 

Explaining the benefits, Peter said: “The basis of the programme was powdered soups and shakes along with at least two-and-a-half litres of water a day over 12 weeks.

“The target was to lose 15% of my body weight. When I started I was 19 and a half stone.  By December 2021, I had lost five stone and my blood pressure tablets were lowered in dosage.

 “The support I received from my family, from the doctors and nurses at the Ulster Hospital, including Dr Harper and diabetes specialist dietitian Lara Jackson was huge.  Lara was there for me and the other participants who had decided that this programme was what they wanted to do.”

 Peter credited his extremely supportive family and grandchildren for their encouragement with sticking with the programme and making the changes to his diet and lifestyle.  

 Peter explained that both physically and mentally he feels “good”.

He continued: “I will never go back to where I was. Having the right mental attitude and right intentions play a big part. In my working life, I was a rep here in Northern Ireland and across the United Kingdom.

“I would have grabbed food and snacks throughout the day. A lot of my job was eating on the ‘hoof’.

“After the completion of the 12-week programme, you start to introduce food and you get lots of information on how to plan your meals, that is a big positive.

 “My advice to anyone who may be considering the programme is to talk to the doctors, talk to the nurses, believe that you can do it!  I’m now walking the dogs for two hours a day, I couldn’t have done that at 19 and a half stone. I’m walking down the street like the King of Saintfield.”

Diabetes specialist dietitian Lara Jackson explained how those meeting the criteria for the programme can be referred to the programme by their GP or diabetes team.

She said: “Patients will be invited to attend our assessment clinic where the programme is discussed along with the commitment to attend the sessions and take only soups and shakes for three months.  Participants are also encouraged to think how they will fit this programme into their busy lives.

“A diabetes specialist dietitian leads the sessions which cover nutrition, exercise and psychology. The participants are asked to monitor their blood glucose levels, their weight and possibly their blood pressure throughout the year.

“All of the sessions are online and in groups. Having people going through the same experience is extremely helpful in a programme like this.”

Lara added: “Patients have an opportunity to lose weight with a low calorie diet, under supervision, but with support to keep weight off in the long-term in the hope that they achieve diabetes remission.

“Some patients report improvements in back pain, knee pain and mobility. For those that didn’t quite reach remission, they did see improvements in their diabetes control and a reduction in medication as well as better physical health and well-being.”

Dr Harper added: “It is wonderful to be able to offer those with recently diagnosed type two diabetes the opportunity to lose significant weight and, by doing so, to push their diabetes into remission. The diabetes remission programme provides a safe, supportive and effective way to do this.”