Latest news with #WillMcKechnie
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Grandfather's simple changes reversed pre-diabetes diagnosis that left him 'petrified'
A 66-year-old grandfather who exercised daily was stunned to learn he was pre-diabetic — and he says making one small change to his eating habits helped reverse it. Dance teacher Will McKechnie, from Lytham St Annes, Lancashire, told SWNS he had always considered himself healthy. At 5 feet 10 inches tall and 167 pounds, he wore a medium-sized shirt, danced seven times a week, and didn't think twice about his daily snacks: a chocolate bar and a bag of chips. Experts Reveal Hidden Ways Sugar Accelerates Aging Beyond Just Weight Gain "I honestly thought I was really fit and healthy," McKechnie said. But after undergoing a free screening for people over 60 in May 2023, a routine blood test showed that his average blood sugar level was 6.2% — an indicator of pre-diabetes, according to SWNS. Read On The Fox News App McKechnie didn't find out until a year later, during an unrelated appointment, when his doctor reviewed the results. "I was so shocked and worried to hear I was pre-diabetic," he said. 'I'm A Neurologist — Here's Why Dementia Is Rising And How To Reduce Your Risk' McKechnie continued, "When he said it wouldn't be reversible over 48, I was terrified. I was petrified at the idea that I might be starting to have poor health." Determined to turn things around, McKechnie made some major changes — not only in what he ate, but how. He cut out the nightly chocolate and chips, started eating whole, nutritious foods, and began chewing his food much more slowly. Now, his lunch — a wholemeal chicken sandwich — takes him 40 minutes to eat. "I just have a very occasional treat now, and much smaller," McKechnie told SWNS. Golfer Phil Mickelson's Strict Weight Loss Diet: Doctor Shares What To Know His breakfast now consists of fruit, and a typical dinner includes boiled eggs, roasted peanuts, celery, cherry tomatoes, carrots and cucumber. By focusing on slower eating and more mindful food choices, McKechnie shed nearly 27 pounds, bringing him down to 142 pounds and a size small shirt. He also lost two inches off his waist — and, more importantly, his blood sugar dropped to 5.9% within nine months, SWNS reported. "I'm very determined," McKechnie said. He added, "If I set my mind to doing something, I'll do it, and I'm going to get my blood sugar even lower." The grandfather of four said he no longer battles sugar cravings and doesn't feel the urge to rush into stores for a chocolate fix. He also stays busy caring for his 18-month-old grandson and teaching two dance classes a week. McKechnie, who quit smoking in 1986 and stopped drinking in 2012, believes everyone should be proactive about checking their health — even if they look healthy on the outside. Click Here To Sign Up For Our Health Newsletter "Even if you have to pay for it, it's worth getting your blood sugar checked routinely," he told SWNS, adding, "It's much, much better to find out." For more Health articles, visit According to SWNS, McKechnie now says he feels stronger than ever and has "enormous amounts of energy." "I'm so relieved I had that test. It has changed my life and made me so much fitter."Original article source: Grandfather's simple changes reversed pre-diabetes diagnosis that left him 'petrified'
Fox News
11 hours ago
- Health
- Fox News
Grandfather's simple changes reversed pre-diabetes diagnosis that left him 'petrified'
A 66-year-old grandfather who exercised daily was stunned to learn he was pre-diabetic — and he says making one small change to his eating habits helped reverse it. Dance teacher Will McKechnie, from Lytham St Annes, Lancashire, told SWNS he had always considered himself healthy. At 5 feet 10 inches tall and 167 pounds, he wore a medium-sized shirt, danced seven times a week, and didn't think twice about his daily snacks: a chocolate bar and a bag of chips. "I honestly thought I was really fit and healthy," McKechnie said. But after undergoing a free screening for people over 60 in May 2023, a routine blood test showed that his average blood sugar level was 6.2% — an indicator of pre-diabetes, according to SWNS. McKechnie didn't find out until a year later, during an unrelated appointment, when his doctor reviewed the results. "I was so shocked and worried to hear I was pre-diabetic," he said. McKechnie continued, "When he said it wouldn't be reversible over 48, I was terrified. I was petrified at the idea that I might be starting to have poor health." Determined to turn things around, McKechnie made some major changes — not only in what he ate, but how. He cut out the nightly chocolate and chips, started eating whole, nutritious foods, and began chewing his food much more slowly. Now, his lunch — a wholemeal chicken sandwich — takes him 40 minutes to eat. "I just have a very occasional treat now, and much smaller," McKechnie told SWNS. His breakfast now consists of fruit, and a typical dinner includes boiled eggs, roasted peanuts, celery, cherry tomatoes, carrots and cucumber. By focusing on slower eating and more mindful food choices, McKechnie shed nearly 27 pounds, bringing him down to 142 pounds and a size small shirt. "I honestly thought I was really fit and healthy." He also lost two inches off his waist — and, more importantly, his blood sugar dropped to 5.9% within nine months, SWNS reported. "I'm very determined," McKechnie said. He added, "If I set my mind to doing something, I'll do it, and I'm going to get my blood sugar even lower." The grandfather of four said he no longer battles sugar cravings and doesn't feel the urge to rush into stores for a chocolate fix. He also stays busy caring for his 18-month-old grandson and teaching two dance classes a week. McKechnie, who quit smoking in 1986 and stopped drinking in 2012, believes everyone should be proactive about checking their health — even if they look healthy on the outside. "Even if you have to pay for it, it's worth getting your blood sugar checked routinely," he told SWNS, adding, "It's much, much better to find out." For more Health articles, visit According to SWNS, McKechnie now says he feels stronger than ever and has "enormous amounts of energy." "I'm so relieved I had that test. It has changed my life and made me so much fitter."
Daily Mail
5 days ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
Slim, superfit man diagnosed with deadly 'fat person' condition - common late night habit was to blame
Dance teacher Will McKechnie thought his trim figure and the fact he exercised seven times a week meant he was perfectly fit and healthy. But the 66-year-old was shocked when medics warned him that his blood sugar were so high he was prediabetic. The condition—suffered by millions unknowingly—is a precursor for potentially deadly type 2 diabetes and frequently linked to being overweight and obese. Mr McKechnie, from Lytham St Annes, Lancashire, said he was floored by the diagnosis as he has prided himself on being active and was a svelte 11st 13lb. 'I was petrified at the idea that I might be starting to get poor health,' he said. 'Before I heard that I just thought everyone sometimes has a bit of high blood sugar. 'And before that, before the blood test, I honestly thought I was really fit and healthy.' Mr McKechnie's condition was revealed during an NHS 'over 60s MOT' which discovered his average blood sugar levels were 44 mmol/mo—considered prediabetic, and just below the threshold for full blown diabetes. Mr McKechnie, from Lytham St Annes, Lancashire, said he was floored by news he had prediabetes as he prided himself on being physically active He now says he's changed both what and how he eats to bring his blood sugar levels under control and with great success Any reading between 42 and 47 mmol/mo is considered prediabetic and above 48 mmol/mol is the diagnostic criteria for type 2 diabetes. 'When he (the GP) said it wouldn't be reversible over 48 (mmol/mo) I was terrified,' Mr McKechnie recalled. The grandfather-of-four said he had wrongly assumed his active lifestyle meant he could eat whatever he wanted and admitted to tucking in to a Yorkie chocolate bar and packet of crisps each night. He now says he's changed both what and how he eats to bring his blood sugar levels under control and with great success. As well as cutting down on unhealthy snacks he also made effort to chew his meals slowly, which he says helps him feel fuller without eating as much. He says it now takes him 40 minutes to eat his typical lunch of chicken sandwiches on wholemeal bread. 'I loved eating Yorkie bars and crisps, and ice cream. I just have a very occasional treat now, and much smaller,' he said. In the nine months since making the changes his average blood sugar levels have dropped down to 41 mmol/mo meaning he is no longer considered prediabetic. He also lost just under two stone, and trimmed two inches off his waist. 'I'm so relieved I had that test. It has changed my life and made me so much fitter,' he added. Mr McKechnie said he originally had the blood test back in May 2023, but his GP only warned him of his prediabetes status a year later when looking over the results. As such he's encouraging other Britons to consider getting a test. 'Even if you have to pay for it it's worth getting your blood sugar checked routinely. It's much much better to find out,' he said. Mr McKechnie was lucky to be told he had prediabetes as the condition normally causes no symptoms, according to charity Diabetes UK. If symptoms are present, they can include going to the toilet more often, fatigue, losing weight without trying, genital itching, minor cuts taking longer to heal, blurred vision and extreme thirst. An estimated 6.3million Britons— about one eight of the population of England—are thought to have prediabetes with the vast majority unaware they have the condition. While those most likely to develop the condition have known diabetes risk factors such as being overweight or older, younger and slimmer people can also have the condition. Diabetes UK estimates that about half of cases of prediabetes can be prevented from developing into type 2 diabetes if patients make adjustments to their diet and lifestyle. Diabetes is a potentially deadly illness which costs the NHS £10 billion a year to treat. Type 2 diabetes occurs when the body doesn't make enough insulin or the insulin it makes doesn't work properly. This hormone is needed to bring down blood sugar levels. Having high blood sugar levels over time can cause heart attacks and strokes, as well as problems with the eyes, kidneys and feet. Sufferers may need to overhaul their diet, take daily medication and have regular check-ups. However, the term prediabetes isn't without controversy. In fact, the inventor of the term Dr Richard Kahn, former chief scientific adviser to the American Diabetes Association recently claimed that doing so was 'a big mistake'. Patients diagnosed as prediabetic have also given a mixed assessment of the term. Earlier this year the Mail On Sunday reported how some patients said a diagnosis had 'saved' them while others said it had left 'frightened to death' about what they could eat.
Daily Mirror
5 days ago
- Health
- Daily Mirror
'I looked healthy but GP said I was pre-diabetic - a weird change reversed it'
Will McKechnie thought he was healthy because he exercises seven times a week and doesn't drink or smoke A grandad who exercised seven times a week was shocked when a health MOT revealed he was pre-diabetic - and has revealed the unusual change he made to reverse the disease. Dance teacher Will McKechnie, 66, was active and weighed 11st 13lb, and easily slipping into a size medium shirt, he wasn't worried about his health and ate what he liked. But an NHS 'over 60s MOT' included a blood test and revealed he had an average blood sugar level of 44 mmol/mo - indicative of pre-diabetes. He had no idea his nightly Yorkie bar and packet of crisps was putting him in danger because he "looked healthy" from the outside. Grandfather-of-four Will from Lytham St Annes, Lancashire, ditched the snacks but also changed the way he ate, with great success. Instead of wolfing down his dinner, packing in as much as he could in a meal, he now chews slowly and says it makes him feel more full. And it now takes 40 minutes to eat his lunch - wholemeal chicken sandwiches. In nine months his blood sugar was down to normal - 41 mmol/mo. He weighs 10st 2lb after losing 1st 11lb pounds, lost two inches off his waist, and switched to size small shirts. Dad-of-five Will said: "I was so shocked and worried to hear I was pre-diabetic. I was petrified at the idea that I might be starting to get poor health. Before I heard that I just thought everyone sometimes has a bit of high blood sugar. "And before that, before the blood test, I honestly thought I was really fit and healthy. When he said it wouldn't be reversible over 48 I was terrified. Now I feel very very lucky that I had the test. I'm so much fitter and stronger and have enormous amounts of energy." Will, who looks after his 18-month grandson alongside teaching two dance classes each week, thought it didn't matter what he ate because his weight was good and he was strong - just months earlier he'd been dancing seven times a week. He had the test in May 2023 but only found out he was pre-diabetic when his GP looked over the results a year later, during a different appointment. His breakfast now consists of fruit, and a typical dinner is boiled eggs, roasted peanuts, celery, cherry tomatoes, carrots and cucumber. He's lost the sugar cravings that used to dominate his days, he said, and no longer has to dart into the nearest shop to find his chocolate fix. Will, quit smoking in 1986 and alcohol in 2012, used an app called 'Second Nature' provided on the NHS to help him overhaul his diet. Will said: "I loved eating Yorkie bars and crisps, and ice cream. I just have a very occasional treat now, and much smaller. I'm very determined, if I set my mind to doing something I'll do it, and I'm going to get my blood sugar even lower. "Even if you have to pay for it it's worth getting your blood sugar checked routinely. It's much much better to find out. And if you're addicted to eating sugar just try to cut it down. I'm so relieved I had that test. It has changed my life and made me so much fitter."
Wales Online
5 days ago
- Health
- Wales Online
'I was told I was pre-diabetic and reversed it with one unusual change'
'I was told I was pre-diabetic and reversed it with one unusual change' Will McKechnie doesn't drink or smoke, is a healthy weight and exercises seven times a week - but one test told him he was developing diabetes William McKechnie was shocked when a health MOT revealed he was pre-diabetic A grandad who exercised seven times a week was shocked when a health MOT revealed he was pre-diabetic - and has revealed the unusual change he made to reverse the disease. Dance teacher Will McKechnie, 66, was active and weighed 11st 13lb, and easily slipping into a size medium shirt, he wasn't worried about his health and ate what he liked. But an NHS 'over 60s MOT' included a blood test and revealed he had an average blood sugar level of 44 mmol/mo - indicative of pre-diabetes. He had no idea his nightly Yorkie bar and packet of crisps was putting him in danger because he "looked healthy" from the outside. Grandfather-of-four Will from Lytham St Annes, Lancashire, ditched the snacks but also changed the way he ate, with great success. Instead of wolfing down his dinner, packing in as much as he could in a meal, he now chews slowly and says it makes him feel more full. William McKechnie, before he knew he was pre-diabetic And it now takes 40 minutes to eat his lunch - wholemeal chicken sandwiches. In nine months his blood sugar was down to normal - 41 mmol/mo. He weighs 10st 2lb after losing 1st 11lb pounds, lost two inches off his waist, and switched to size small shirts. Dad-of-five Will said: "I was so shocked and worried to hear I was pre-diabetic. I was petrified at the idea that I might be starting to get poor health. Before I heard that I just thought everyone sometimes has a bit of high blood sugar. Article continues below Wil has boosted his health with one change "And before that, before the blood test, I honestly thought I was really fit and healthy. When he said it wouldn't be reversible over 48 I was terrified. Now I feel very very lucky that I had the test. I'm so much fitter and stronger and have enormous amounts of energy." Will, who looks after his 18-month grandson alongside teaching two dance classes each week, thought it didn't matter what he ate because his weight was good and he was strong - just months earlier he'd been dancing seven times a week. He had the test in May 2023 but only found out he was pre-diabetic when his GP looked over the results a year later, during a different appointment. Will exercises seven times a week His breakfast now consists of fruit, and a typical dinner is boiled eggs, roasted peanuts, celery, cherry tomatoes, carrots and cucumber. He's lost the sugar cravings that used to dominate his days, he said, and no longer has to dart into the nearest shop to find his chocolate fix. Will, quit smoking in 1986 and alcohol in 2012, used an app called 'Second Nature' provided on the NHS to help him overhaul his diet. Article continues below Will has changed the way he eats Will said: "I loved eating Yorkie bars and crisps, and ice cream. I just have a very occasional treat now, and much smaller. I'm very determined, if I set my mind to doing something I'll do it, and I'm going to get my blood sugar even lower. "Even if you have to pay for it it's worth getting your blood sugar checked routinely. It's much much better to find out. And if you're addicted to eating sugar just try to cut it down. I'm so relieved I had that test. It has changed my life and made me so much fitter."
