I Never Thought a Routine Blood Test Would Change My Life

• Name - Mrs. Lilian Ramteke
• Age - 52 Years Young
• Profession - Homemaker
• Place - Nagpur, Maharashtra.

Hello!

I am Mrs. Lilian Ramteke, a 52-year-old homemaker from Nagpur. I never had any symptoms that made me think I had diabetes, and there was no family history either. It was simply a routine blood test that revealed my diabetes. Looking back, I realise that my eating habits were far from healthy. I would skip meals, sometimes have just a glass of milk for lunch and regularly munch on wafers. I also had very little energy. My journey with Freedom from Diabetes changed my understanding of food, health and my own body—and today, I feel more energetic and active than ever.

 

 

I never thought I had diabetes. There was no family history of diabetes. I didn't have any obvious symptoms.

I wasn't feeling sick or experiencing anything that made me think something was wrong.

Then one day, I went for a routine blood test. That's when I found out that I had diabetes.

My HbA1c was 6.8. I remember that this was completely unexpected for me. I had gone for a normal health check, and suddenly I was being told that I had diabetes.

When I look back at my lifestyle now, I realise that I wasn't taking very good care of myself. I was a very bad eater.

Food was simply not important to me. I would skip meals quite often.

Sometimes, if there was a glass of milk, I would think, “Okay, that's my lunch.” I also had a habit of munching on wafers and other snacks instead of eating proper food.

I wasn't someone who consciously thought about whether my food was healthy or what it was doing to my body.

I was also not very active.I remember that I would do a little work and then sit down. I would feel tired quite easily.

At that point, I didn't realise that these habits were things I needed to change. My diabetes diagnosis made me stop and look at my lifestyle differently.

 

I came to know about Freedom from Diabetes through my sister-in-law's friend.

He had participated in the FFD program and spoke positively about his experience.

That made me curious. Around the same time, I had also seen Dr. Malhar's content on Facebook.

What really appealed to me was seeing a real person go through a real transformation. It wasn't just someone telling me what I should do.

I could see that someone had actually gone through the journey.

That gave me confidence. I thought, “If someone else can do it, maybe I can do it too.” That's what encouraged me to join Freedom from Diabetes.

Mrs. Lilian Ramteke

 

After I was diagnosed, my doctor prescribed Metformin. I was taking it once a day. I joined Freedom from Diabetes in August.

One of the biggest surprises for me came very early in my journey.

Within two weeks of joining the program, I stopped my diabetes medicine under medical supervision.

That was a huge moment for me. I had only recently discovered that I had diabetes, and now I was already seeing changes in my health.

It gave me a lot of confidence to continue.

 

But stopping the medicine wasn't the only change. For me, one of the biggest changes was learning about food.

Earlier, I didn't give food much importance. I would skip meals, eat wafers and simply eat whatever was convenient.

After joining FFD, I became much more conscious about what I was eating.

I started understanding what was good for me, what wasn't good for me and what my body actually needed.

It really opened my eyes. Today, before I eat something, I think about it.

That awareness has become a very important part of my life.

 

My HbA1c was 6.8 when I started my journey. Today, it is 5.6. For me, seeing that number is very encouraging.

But I don't look at the HbA1c number alone. I know that my daily habits have changed too.

I am eating more consciously, I am physically active and I understand my body much better than I did before.

 

When I joined the program, I weighed 54 kg. During the first three months, my weight came down to 48 kg.

Because I was already on the leaner side, I did not want to lose more weight.

The doctors also wanted me to maintain a healthier weight, so I was given a smoothie and other dietary support to help me gain some weight.

Today, I am 51 kg.For me, the goal was never simply to lose weight. It was about becoming healthier and finding the right balance for my body.

 

One of the biggest differences I feel today is my energy.

Earlier, I would do a little work and then feel like sitting down.

I didn't have the same energy that I have today.

Now, I feel energetic. I am active throughout the day.

Sometimes I feel like I am just dancing from one place to another! I never imagined that I would feel this active.

 

If someone had told me earlier that I would be doing 24 Surya Namaskars, I probably wouldn't have believed them.

I used to think that doing more than six Surya Namaskars would be difficult for me.

Today, I can do 24. That makes me very happy. I also do one hour of yoga every morning.

In the evening, I go cycling. My stamina and flexibility have improved a lot. I have become much more active, and I genuinely enjoy movement now.

It is not something I feel forced to do. It has become a part of my daily routine.

 

I did not participate in Fast for Freedom because my weight was already low.

At one point, I was around 47–48 kg, so I was advised not to fast because I didn't need to lose more weight. I did try juice fasting once.

But for me, maintaining a healthy weight was more important.

I learned that everyone's journey is different. What works for one person may not necessarily be right for another person.

I had to understand what my own body needed.

 

I did not have a one-on-one psychology session during my FFD journey.

But I definitely experienced a change in the way I think.

Earlier, I didn't think much about what I was eating. Today, I am much more aware.

Even when I get cravings, I know how to manage them. Sometimes I may want wafers.

Earlier, I could have eaten a full packet without thinking much about it.

Today, I tell myself that I can have a little if I really want it—just enough to satisfy my taste—and then stop.

That control has made a big difference. I have learned that I don't have to completely deprive myself. I just need to be conscious of my choices.

My morning yoga has also become an important part of my routine. It gives me time for myself and keeps me active and flexible.

 

When I think about my entire Freedom from Diabetes journey, I can honestly say that it has been a beautiful journey.

I feel grateful for the doctors and the exercise team who supported me throughout the program.

But what I value most is the knowledge I gained. Freedom from Diabetes has taught me what is right for me and what isn't.

Earlier, food wasn't important to me.Today, I know that food plays a very important role in my health.

Earlier, I would skip meals and munch on wafers. Today, I am conscious about what I eat.

Earlier, I would feel tired after doing a little work. Today, I practice yoga for an hour every morning, cycle in the evening and do 24 Surya Namaskars.

 

My HbA1c has come down from 6.8 to 5.6, and I have been off my diabetes medication since two weeks into my journey, under medical supervision.

 

The biggest change, however, is the way I feel about myself.

 

 

Most importantly, I now understand my body better.

 

Freedom from Diabetes has given me much more than information about diabetes. It has taught me how to make better choices every day.

 

It has truly been an enlightening experience for me.