Man on cusp of diabetes loses nearly eight stone

A man from Lincolnshire says he feels like a "totally different person" after losing nearly eight stone (50.8kg) during a 12-week programme.

John Fawcett, 57, from Waltham, was nearly 20 stone (127kg) with borderline type 2 diabetes when he decided "enough is enough".

After talking to a dietician in May 2022, he joined an NHS weight management programme which is designed to put type 2 diabetes into remission.

He reached his ideal weight after a low-calorie diet of soups and shakes and lots of walking.

Mr Fawcett, a computer programmer, said he became conscious of putting on weight during the coronavirus lockdowns.

It led to him buying clothes from specialist companies before he joined the Oviva Type 2 Diabetes Path to Remission Programme.

With three meals a day consisting of soups and shakes, Mr Fawcett also had the help of a health coach and supplemented the dieting with lots of walking.

The weight loss also put his diabetes into remission and reduced his blood sugar levels and BMI.

Normal meals were gradually reintroduced following the 12-week programme.

Mr Fawcett said he now walks around 10,000 steps a day, goes cycling a lot and has set up a walking club at work.

He also has the energy to run around and keep up with his two-year-old grandson.

He said: "I feel like a totally different person and have a great zest for life. Before I felt tired all the time and addicted to food.

"To really make it work you have to put in a lot of commitment and be prepared to change your lifestyle.

"Don't be disheartened if you don't always lose weight. It can be up and down but it's worth it in the end."

Lucy Jones, dietitian and chief clinical officer of Oviva, said: "John is one of 416 people in Lincolnshire who, so far, have been referred to the programme by their GP, and accepted as they met the criteria.

"Over 200 places remain in Humber and North Yorkshire for the NHS Type 2 Diabetes Path to Remission programme, so please do speak to your GP if you have Type 2 diabetes and would like support."

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