Jasmin’s Type 2 Diabetes Path to Remission Programme Journey

Jasmin, from Tameside and Glossop in Greater Manchester, has been attending the Type 2 Diabetes Path to Remission Programme  with Xyla Health & Wellbeing and has seen some amazing changes since starting her journey in May 2021. She has been happy to share with us some of her experiences and results.

What was life like before the programme? How did you hear about the programme and who referred you?

While I was always relatively active and always did a minimum of 7000 steps a day, I wasn’t aware of what I ate. I had been on Metformin for a while and my weight continued to increase. I couldn’t run around with my children and was out of breath by the time I got to the top of the stairs. I was constantly exhausted. My GP called to tell me about the programme. I decided that I needed a big change and the support to make that change before it got so bad that I wouldn’t be around to see my children grow up.

Could you please tell me about your experience on the programme so far?

When I started the programme it was quite hard. Going from eating anything and everything to soups and shakes was really hard. Not so much physically but mentally. I felt like I was in a constant battle with myself. However, after the third day I got myself into a routine with my shakes. The hunger went and I found it surprisingly simple and easy. Just grabbing a shake was so much easier than making a meal for myself. The sessions really helped me stay focused and to know I was doing this with other people in similar situations made me feel like I wasn’t alone. There were times when I slipped up, but I was never made to feel like I had failed. It was talked through so I could understand why it happened and how I could move forward. A lot of the sessions helped me re-program my brain almost. The support I received and the sessions I attended helped me understand that everyone slips up. It’s not a failure, it’s a blip.

How did the programme fit into your life?

My family were very supportive. My husband and children were aware of what and why I was doing it and they encouraged me constantly. I will admit I avoided social situations where food would be involved… because I wanted to give myself the best possible chance of staying focused. The handful of times I did go out. I stayed away from the food tables and drank water or sugar-free Coke and just enjoyed my evening.

How has the programme improved your health and your life?

I have lost six stone and it has made a world of difference. I can now run around after my kids, jog up the stairs and not be out of breath. After hating clothes shopping for my entire life, I take pleasure in looking at clothes and choosing things. I’m no longer constantly tired but one of the biggest things for me is that I can look in a mirror and no longer hate what I see. My son is nine and my daughter is five, there are very few photos of me with them while they were younger because I avoided photos like the plague but now I’m making up for lost time, making memories with them and snapping pictures.

Did you achieve the goals you set for yourself at the beginning of the programme?

The sessions helped me to see how I was self-sabotaging, that it’s not a race, it’s a journey. It’s okay to go out and have a nice meal or to have a takeaway. Everything in moderation. The programme helped me be more mindful of what I’m putting on my plate and to be kinder to myself when I do have an off day. The programme has helped retrain my thought process in a way that will last forever. I do still have weight to lose and I am losing it more slowly now. But that’s okay because I now know that I can do this!

Find out more about the NHS Type 2 Diabetes Path to Remission Programme here.