'I was a 20st secret eater then I was diagnosed with diabetes'
Mark Fettes used to hid his binge shopping on his credit card so his wife wouldn't know what he was doing but then he knew he had to change and lost more than 8st in less than a year
A 20st tech expert says his secret snacking is in the past after a shock diagnosis which led him to lose more than eight stones in weight. Mark Fettes was getting "bigger and bigger" until he was told he had type 2 diabetes.
Knowing he had to do something he joined Slimming World and lost the weight - and along with it put his diabetes into remission in less than eight months. Mark, from Lancashire, says: 'I'd been getting bigger and my health was really suffering.
"As well as high blood pressure which I was on medication for, I was then diagnosed with type 2 diabetes which worried me. My wife Nikki and I would have takeaways two to four nights a week and most days working from home, I got into a habit of eating secretly.
"I'd order a fast-food breakfast delivery or as soon as Nikki left for work, I'd nip to the local shop and buy five or six microwave burgers, a large bag of cheese balls and a two-litre bottle of cola. I'd even buy it with my credit card so Nikki wouldn't find out.
'Although I'd tried Slimming World in the past, I'd stopped going to group after three weeks and never really followed the plan. I realise now that by never staying for the group support, I wasn't learning anything about the plan, my relationship with food or how to change my habits.
"My doctor suggested I try Slimming World on a 12-week referral programme. Then Nikki said she wanted to join a group, and while I'll admit I thought it would be a waste of time, I went along with her for support.'
Slimming World on Referral is a partnership scheme with the NHS which provides people living with overweight or obesity with access to a 12-week weight loss plan from Slimming World. It's available in 72 areas across the UK.
Mark joined his Fleetwood group in May last year weighing 20st 8lbs. He says: 'When we arrived at our local Slimming World group and met Sarah, our Consultant, my view soon changed. There was such an electric atmosphere and everything clicked.
"There were lots of other guys there who were so supportive and I was blown away by everyone's journeys. I left feeling inspired and feeling that I could really make this work.
"As soon as I found out all my favourite meals were still on the menu, so long as they were cooked in a healthy way, I knew this was a plan I could stick with. I lost 8lbs that first week."
He said he was soon helping other people adding: "Knowing everyone was genuinely rooting for me was incredible. I genuinely wish the sessions were longer because I love it so much.
'As someone living with type 2 diabetes, I was given tailored resources – including a dedicated booklet created in partnership with Diabetes UK. It made it easy to adapt the Slimming World plan to my needs while staying in line with my healthcare team's advice. Knowing the support was backed by Diabetes UK gave me real confidence I was doing the right thing for my health.
"My relationship with food has totally changed and I've fully embraced new habits so I know I'll be able to keep the weight off forever. We cook from scratch so much nowadays, with lots of lean meat and vegetables. As we both lead such busy lives, we love the convenience of the Slimming World Free Food range from Iceland, too. We've always got Slimming World chips in the freezer.
'I led a very sedentary lifestyle before, working from home and sitting down for eight hours. The most exercise I did was a walk at the weekend and some housework. My fitness was non-existent and I'd be lucky to manage 10 minutes walking on a treadmill.'
He says that has now changed explaining: 'At the start, I couldn't even entertain the idea of any exercise. As I started losing weight though I began to move more by getting off my chair and walking around the house and going for regular brisk walks. After a month I realised I was enjoying fitness again – I used to work out in my 20's but had stopped.
'These days, I'm fitter than I've ever been – I'm a regular at the gym and even run there and back most days. My favourite way to start the day is a run along the seafront before work.
"Before Slimming World, I was just an overweight guy going through the motions, not thinking much about my health or how I looked. Now, I feel like a completely new man. Being active and outdoors again isn't just good for my body – it's lifted my whole outlook on life.
'I used to struggle to find clothes that fit and would rely on basic supermarket 4 or 5XL t-shirts instead of things I really wanted to wear. Since I've lost weight, the impact on my everyday life has been incredible – I'm healthier, full of energy and I feel much more confident.
'Eight months after joining Slimming World, my health check revealed that my type 2 diabetes had gone into remission. My health has turned around completely – doctors used to be worried I'd have a heart attack, now I've come off my blood pressure medication and I've even stopped snoring and sleep much better.'
Mark's experience backs up research published in the journal Archives of Diabetes & Obesity showing that people with type 2 diabetes can improve their diabetes management by making healthy lifestyle changes and losing weight following Slimming World's programme. The research revealed, of the members surveyed, 33.9% of those with type 2 diabetes reported their diabetes had gone into remission; this increased to 51% for those who'd lost at least 10% of their body weight; 61% were able to reduce or stop taking their diabetes medication and 81% saw improvements in their blood glucose (also known as blood sugar levels) management.
Diabetes UK estimates that 1.3 million people are currently living with type 2 diabetes but are yet to be diagnosed. Douglas Twenefour, Head of Clinical at Diabetes UK, says: 'We are proud to be working with Slimming World, supporting members who are living with diabetes, or at risk of type 2 diabetes. By combining our expertise on weight loss, long-term healthy eating and diabetes, we are committed to helping people build healthier habits and live healthier lives.'
Dr Sarah-Elizabeth Bennett, Senior Research Associate at Slimming World , says: 'The improvements Mark has made to his health are incredible and our research shows many members experience similar outcomes. Slimming World's partnership with Diabetes UK makes that support even stronger and enables us to further deepen our understanding of the challenges and misconceptions people living with diabetes face.
'Slimming World's flexible healthy eating plan can be easily tailored for members like Mark to fit their individual needs and to make sure it's in line with the dietary advice from their healthcare professional. It enables members to enjoy a wide variety of healthy everyday foods – like fresh fruit and veg, lean meat and poultry, fat free dairy, eggs, pasta, rice and grains.'
Sarah Wells runs the Fleetwood Slimming World group and is Mark's Consultant. She says: 'To think it was a year ago that Mark joined my group – it's been incredible to see his progress. His success just goes to show how Slimming World makes a real difference in people's lives – we have the best package in group to help members lose weight, including techniques we share to help members understand themselves better, looking at those foods or situations that are stoppers for them and finding ways to protect their weight loss in the long term.
"By changing his habits around food and activity in ways that worked for him, Mark was able to lose more than 8st and go on to put his type 2 diabetes into remission. I'm so very proud of him.'
For more details about Slimming World or find your nearest group here.
Mark's statistics
Weight Loss: 8st 5lbs (54kg)
Joining weight: 20st 8lbs (130.6kg)
Current weight: 12st 3lbs (77kg)
Before
Breakfast: Fast food breakfast delivery – typically two or three pork sausages, egg and cheese toasted muffins
Lunch: Five or six microwaveable burgers
Dinner: Takeaway usually Chinese or pizza or kebabs – two to four nights a week
Snacks: Share bag of crisps usually cheese balls, sweets and full sugar fizzy drinks
After
Breakfast: Overnight oats with low-fat yoghurt and fruit or poached fresh haddock and grilled tomatoes with wholemeal toasted pitta bread
Lunch: Chicken slices and salad with a wholemeal wrap; a jacket potato with tuna, sweetcorn and low-fat mayonnaise or a hearty soup
Dinner: Low-fat sausages, beans topped with grated reduced-fat cheese and Slimming World chips
Snacks: Fruit, a low-fat bag of crisps and high fibre snack bars
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