In early 2022, Mark Nadin from Mackworth was recovering from Guillain-Barre syndrome - a serious condition that affects the nerves – when his physio suggested he join Livewell for ongoing support to improve his fitness, lose weight and manage his type 2 diabetes, which he was diagnosed with a couple of years before.
Since joining Livewell last March, the 51-year-old electrician has lost 15 kilos, dropped four inches from his waist and, most importantly, drastically improved his HbA1c levels - a reading that provides a longer-term trend of how high blood sugar levels have been over a time period.
Here he shares how he took control of his condition by adapting his diet and doing more exercise:
“I lost a lot of weight during the six months I was in hospital but piled it all back on and more after being discharged. Hearing my HbA1c level was dangerously high was gutting and I felt nervous about my outpatient physio treatment coming to an end. Understanding my need to change, the physio suggested I join Livewell, so I called and was booked into a virtual group meeting.
My advisor, Joe offered sound advice about what to eat, what not to eat a lot of and when to eat. As a self-employed electrician on the road, I often ate late and snacked on all the wrong foods in between.
Joe suggested I use an app to track the calories, sugar and fat content of foods I ate based on my height, gender and age. It helped me to eat more mindful and consider my hunger levels.
I started making better choices in restaurants when working away and I replaced the daily full English breakfasts with porridge or scrambled eggs on toast. As a family we tucked into more homemade meals when I was back home and I reduced my portion sizes.
Understanding the empty calories in alcohol led to me stopping drinking at home and sticking to two pints instead of five when at the pub watching the footie with my mates. I swapped fizzy drinks for water and I now drink at least two litres a day. Friday night I treat myself to fish and chips or a healthier option from the Chinese.
On large construction sites, I cover 15 to 20 thousand steps a day but some sites are small, so I wasn’t doing a consistent amount of activity. After my induction, I used the gym when at home and also enjoyed the weekend workout class which was often led by Joe at the time. Whilst working away, I’d do Livewell’s YouTube workouts or the exercises I’d learnt from the Livewell classes in my hotel room.
The changes I’ve made seemed small, but they worked. Bit by bit the weight dropped off especially around my middle. Keeping my healthy habits going for just over a year has brought my BMI down from 35 to 30 and reduced my bodyweight by 14%.
Friends and family remark how well I looked at a recent wedding. My waist size has gone from 39 to 35 inches, so I bought a new suit complete with waist coat, which I’ve never been able to wear before. Shirts that used to be too snug now fit nicely around the collar. I’ve always wanted a gilet but thought I’d look too bulky. Shedding two and half stone, I treated myself to one and it looks good!
My diabetes nurse is delighted with the improvement to my HbA1c numbers (98 to 42) meaning that my medication has reduced by a third and hopefully remission will be the next stage. It’s also had a positive impact on my heart health, lowering my cholesterol to a normal level.
Being a dad to four children, it’s important that I’ll be around to see the youngest grow well into adulthood and beyond. Now I feel that’s achievable!”
Livewell advisor, Joe Wilkinson added:
“Mark has done exceptionally well during his 12 months, especially as he worked away during the week for a lot of the time. One thing Mark did to keep himself accountable and on track was to report his weight to me every Monday morning as he knew he couldn’t attend the drop-in sessions.”
Pictured is Mark before his weight loss and in his new suit with son, William (age 6).