How I Regained My Energy and Life After 25 Years of Diabetes and Lost 12 Kg Naturally
I Brought My HbA1c Down from 7.9 to 6.2 in 9 Months With FFD!
- Name - Mr. Shankar T
- Age - 64 Years Young
- Profession - Former Geoscientist & Petroleum Industry Executive
- Place - Chennai,Tamil Nadu.
After living with diabetes for 25 years, I had accepted that medicines and walking atleast an hour a day would always be a part of my life.
What I didn't expect was that retirement would become the beginning of a completely new chapter.
Today, I have reduced my diabetes medicines significantly, lost over 12 kg, regained the energy I thought I'd lost forever, and become far more active than I was a few years ago.
This is my journey.
Key Takeaways
- Living with diabetes for 25 years
- Reduced HbA1c from 7.9 to to 6.5 in 3 months and 6.2 in 9 months
- Reduced diabetes medication from 2000 mg daily to 500 mg.
- Weight reduced from 76 kg to 64 kg in 9 months
- Improved VLDL from 36.78 to 18.04
- Improved energy, stamina, sleep and confidence
- Built a sustainable exercise routine after retirement
My Diabetes Story
I discovered that I had diabetes during my company's annual health check-up. I wasn't experiencing any symptoms, so the diagnosis came as a surprise.
With both my parents having diabetes, I knew there was a family history, but I never imagined that I would be managing the condition for the next 25 years.
Fortunately, I never developed any major diabetes-related complications. However, over the years, I gradually became more tired, hungry, and less active.
Fortunately, I never developed any major diabetes-related complications. However, over the years, I gradually became more tired, hungry, and less active.
After retirement in 2022, I noticed that my energy levels had dropped even further. I had become so lethargic that I would often ask family members to help me with even small household tasks.
Deep inside, I knew I wasn't living the active life I wanted.
How Was FFD Introduced and What Made Me Choose It?
I came across Freedom From Diabetes through social media. Even before joining, I had been reading about plant-based nutrition and understood the benefits of a vegan lifestyle.
Since I had played cricket throughout my younger days, I was never someone who disliked exercise.
Since I had played cricket throughout my younger days, I was never someone who disliked exercise.
What I really wanted was proper guidance and a structured system.
The scientific approach explained in the Discover Reversal Session, the involvement of doctors, and the comprehensive nature of the program gave me confidence.
I felt that even if it didn't solve everything, it certainly wouldn't harm me.
The scientific approach explained in the Discover Reversal Session, the involvement of doctors, and the comprehensive nature of the program gave me confidence.
I felt that even if it didn't solve everything, it certainly wouldn't harm me.
That confidence made me join the program.
Mr. Shankar T.
My Reversal Journey
When I joined FFD, my HbA1c was around 7.9.
At that time, I was taking a high dose of diabetes medicines, including 2000 mg of Metformin daily, along with other medications.
Gradually, under the guidance of the FFD medical team, my medicines started reducing.
Today, I take only 500 mg of Metformin daily along with a much lower medication dosage than before.
My HbA1c has improved to 6.2, and many of my other health markers, including my VLDL and iron levels, have also improved.
The biggest surprise, however, was how dramatically my energy returned. Before joining, I constantly felt tired and sluggish. Even simple activities felt like work.
Today, I rarely ask anyone for help. A few months ago, I spent several months in the United States helping my daughter shift her home.
I was able to move furniture, unpack boxes, and handle most of the physical work almost single-handedly.
I was able to move furniture, unpack boxes, and handle most of the physical work almost single-handedly.
My family was genuinely surprised by the transformation.
Honestly, so was I. Another unexpected bonus was my weight loss.
Without chasing weight as my primary goal, I lost over 12 kg, going from around 76 kg to nearly 64 kg.
In fact, my biggest complaint today is that I've had to replace almost my entire wardrobe because none of my old clothes fit anymore!
Athletic Identity
Exercise has once again become an enjoyable part of my life. I have stopped just walking on all days which only created knee pain.
I follow the structured exercise plan recommended by the FFD experts, including strength training, mobility exercises, and stamina workouts throughout the week.
I follow the structured exercise plan recommended by the FFD experts, including strength training, mobility exercises, and stamina workouts throughout the week.
While I was staying in California with my daughter, I also enjoyed trekking on several beautiful trails around Huntington Beach, Quail Hill Trails near Irvine and nearby areas almost every weekend.
Back in Chennai, I plan to continue staying active by adding cycling to my routine as the weather becomes cooler.
The Inner Transformation sessions also helped me immensely.
The breathing techniques, especially box breathing and deep breathing, have become practical tools whenever I feel anxious or overwhelmed.
They have helped me sleep better, stay calmer, and approach life with much greater mental clarity.
Current Lifestyle & Reflection
Looking back, I realise that diabetes wasn't the biggest challenge. The real challenge was slowly losing my confidence, independence, and energy without even noticing it.
Freedom From Diabetes helped me regain all three.
Today, I feel fitter, stronger, and far more capable than I did after retirement. I enjoy taking care of myself, staying active, and living independently.
I also get to enjoy seasonal fruits, especially Mangoes after nearly 20 yrs.
I also get to enjoy seasonal fruits, especially Mangoes after nearly 20 yrs.
At this stage of life, that feels like one of my greatest achievements.
