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Completely off insulin within 3 months

7/15/2012

12 Comments

 
Meet the old Dick.
Picture

I am writing this narrative for my husband. My husband has been a type 2 diabetic for over 30 years. He saw his doctors faithfully every 3 months, took his medications, watched what he ate (except no one told him what to watch), and tried to exercise. 

11 years ago he was put on insulin. First 5 units and then about a year and a half later he was talking 43 units. His weight ballooned to 280 pounds. The neuropathy in both his feet that he was suffering from intensified. He now could not walk over 75 feet. In 2002 I told my grown children that in 6 months I would be pushing dad around in a wheelchair. He had profuse night sweats due to hypoglycemic episodes (we did not know what was causing this at that time), he was irritable, depressed and always tired. He fell asleep while driving once and hit the concrete barrier in the middle of the freeway. He did nothing around the house except work the remote control for the TV. 

I read Dr. Bernstein's book, "Diabetes Solution" and could not believe my eyes. I told my husband about how I could help him but had to wait until he accepted responsibility for this illness. Not blame but responsibility. He needed to know that it was his disease and he was in charge of it. About 6 months later, he told me he was ready. Our lives changed dramatically! Within 3 months he was completely off of insulin, within 9 months he lost 80 pounds, the profuse night sweats were gone, the irritability and depression were replaced with a love of life. Neuropathy was eliminated! He has been in two 5K races and finished (walking, of course). He walks at our gym 3 times a week and usually does 2 miles each time. He is back to being the man I married. 

Friends and family could not believe the change! They also could not believe that low carb is what did it. I set out on a quest to prove that the low carb way of life is the best. 
I read Gary Taubes book, "Good Calories, Bad Calories" and was ecstatic! Here it was in black and white - proof that low carb is the right way of life not only for diabetics but for all of us. No one would believe me.

I read Jonny Bowden's book, "Living the Low Carb Life" more proof. Then Gary Taubes came out with his book that I call the book for the layman to understand why and how low carb is best, "Why We Get Fat and What To Do About It" there is no question that for my husband and I the research of these scholars coupled with our own experiences is proof that low carb saves lives and helps everyone live a better life.

We had the pleasure of meeting and hearing Mr. Taubes at a lecture that he gave at The Ohio State University last April. He is inspiring and speaks from research and with tremendous knowledge. 

My husband and I put together a program to help other diabetics understand that they have control over diabetes and how we beat diabetes. 

Thank you, Gary Taubes, Dr. Bernstein and Jonny Bowden. You saved our lives!!!!
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What was the biggest challenge to adopting a carbohydrate-restricted or paleo diet?
We had to give up the middle European foods we loved. As the cook, I had to give up cooking the meals that I had perfected in over 40 years of marriage. It's been over 9 years now that I had to change my way of cooking and eliminate my baking. I miss it but would much rather have the husband that I have than anything else!

What advice (if any) would you give to someone interested in trying a carbohydrate-restricted or paleo diet? Were there any obstacles that you overcame that could help future dieters?
Decide that your weight is YOUR responsibility and no one else. 
Clean up your environment. Dispose of all carb laden foods and junk foods. You can't eat what is not in the house.
Stay active. Watch TV only in the evening when you finally sit down to rest. Then do it for only 2 hours. Some people equate TV with eating.
Keep cheeses, hard boiled eggs, lunch meats, etc. on hand for quick meals or for the occasional snack.
Plan your meals. We have a breakfast tray in our refrigerator. On it are eggs, butter, bacon and/or sausages, strawberries and blueberries. We set the table the night before, make sure our frying pans are out and ready and the coffee pot is set to go. After we get home from the gym, we have no problem making a great low carb breakfast. Eat lots of green leafy veggies. " If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail" Benjamin Franklin?
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12 Comments
Susan
7/14/2012 11:38:27 pm

Bravo!!!

Reply
Jeffry Gerber MD link
7/15/2012 12:59:50 am

It is still frustrating to me that in 2012, people have to find their own nutritional solutions to treat chronic disease. Good food is good medicine and those in mainstream medicine must learn about the power of nutrition. I hope that Dick's physician has learned from this wonderful story

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Laura Jackson
7/15/2012 01:35:51 am

Congratulations to you both! Dr. Bernstein's Book also turned my health around and changed my life. Our numbers are growing, so keep spreading the word. Be pro-active, and take responsibility for your own treatment and type 2 diabetes will not be a slow downward slide into ever increasingly poor health and disability. Hurray for you, Dick!

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Conni
7/15/2012 11:39:10 am

How wonderful that you were able to help your husband, and how wonderful that he took responsibility and helped himself. Well done, well done both of you!!

You mentioned a program you put together for diabetics, is it a website or something else that can be shared?

I love the pictures, they are proof that at any age and after years of health issues, this diet can change a life. So glad that you posted.

Conni

Reply
Mary, The Diabetes Lady link
7/16/2012 06:47:11 pm

thanks for your kind comments. You can visit our web site at http://www.marythediabeteslady.com to see more before and after photos and get more information on our program. We present lectures around the country as well.

Diabetes can be beat! Dick is truly living proof. He is going into his 10th year of feeling great!

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Aglaee, the Paleo Dietitian link
7/15/2012 10:45:05 pm

Good job!

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Karen Gale
7/16/2012 08:28:19 am

What an INSPIRATIONAL story!!! CONGRATULATIONS!!! :)

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Shah
11/10/2012 07:07:59 pm

I believe there severe exaggeration in this story. It does seems more like a promotional stuff for Dr. Bernstein and other folks books for a certain life style. with what claimed as Dick health earlier, there is no information as what happened to his kidneys after severe hypoglycemia and how he immediately shifted to high protein diet with no difficulty. Please be more explicit... its a fake story as i conclude..

Reply
Mary, The Diabetes Lady link
11/11/2012 09:28:39 am

Hi Shah
Thank you for your comments. I would like to address what you believe is a "severe exaggeration" in our story. It's important for you to know that this story is true and factual. I would welcome you to come and meet my husband and if you'd like you could examine his records. We share our story with others because we know how devastating diabetes can be to the person with diabetes, to their spouses or partners, to their children, to their colleagues, friends and others. Neuropathy pain alone is horrific. We were able to eliminate that pain for my husband. How could we NOT tell everyone?

Dr. Bernstein is a wonderful doctor who is dedicated to helping other diabetics live free from the horrible affects of diabetes. The "other folks" you mention are Gary Taubes, an award winning scientific writer who's book "Good Calories, Bad Calories" was on the New York Times Best Sellers list. Jonny Bowden, Ph.D. C.N.S. is a board certified nutritionist who's work helps lay people understand what is happening to their bodies when they choose to eat a high carb diet.

At his last checkup, my husband's kidney's are fine. There are no issues with his health. He had severe hypoglycemia attacks while on insulin. When he came off the insulin, he never had another hypoglycemic issue.

I am sorry for you that you are so skeptical. I sincerely hope you do not suffer diabetes because it seems like your mind is closed to what it would take to enable you to achieve optimum wellness.

In closing, I would hope you would offer my husband and I an apology for concluding that our story was a fake. We are sincere, caring people, who have come through a difficult period in our life and want to share it with others so that they may be able to avoid the horrible affects of diabetes that my husband suffered. May your God bless you.

Reply
Mary, The Diabetes Lady link
11/11/2012 09:28:49 am

Hi Shah
Thank you for your comments. I would like to address what you believe is a "severe exaggeration" in our story. It's important for you to know that this story is true and factual. I would welcome you to come and meet my husband and if you'd like you could examine his records. We share our story with others because we know how devastating diabetes can be to the person with diabetes, to their spouses or partners, to their children, to their colleagues, friends and others. Neuropathy pain alone is horrific. We were able to eliminate that pain for my husband. How could we NOT tell everyone?

Dr. Bernstein is a wonderful doctor who is dedicated to helping other diabetics live free from the horrible affects of diabetes. The "other folks" you mention are Gary Taubes, an award winning scientific writer who's book "Good Calories, Bad Calories" was on the New York Times Best Sellers list. Jonny Bowden, Ph.D. C.N.S. is a board certified nutritionist who's work helps lay people understand what is happening to their bodies when they choose to eat a high carb diet.

At his last checkup, my husband's kidney's are fine. There are no issues with his health. He had severe hypoglycemia attacks while on insulin. When he came off the insulin, he never had another hypoglycemic issue.

I am sorry for you that you are so skeptical. I sincerely hope you do not suffer diabetes because it seems like your mind is closed to what it would take to enable you to achieve optimum wellness.

In closing, I would hope you would offer my husband and I an apology for concluding that our story was a fake. We are sincere, caring people, who have come through a difficult period in our life and want to share it with others so that they may be able to avoid the horrible affects of diabetes that my husband suffered. May your God bless you.

Reply
Mary, The Diabetes Lady link
11/11/2012 09:29:12 am

Hi Shah
Thank you for your comments. I would like to address what you believe is a "severe exaggeration" in our story. It's important for you to know that this story is true and factual. I would welcome you to come and meet my husband and if you'd like you could examine his records. We share our story with others because we know how devastating diabetes can be to the person with diabetes, to their spouses or partners, to their children, to their colleagues, friends and others. Neuropathy pain alone is horrific. We were able to eliminate that pain for my husband. How could we NOT tell everyone?

Dr. Bernstein is a wonderful doctor who is dedicated to helping other diabetics live free from the horrible affects of diabetes. The "other folks" you mention are Gary Taubes, an award winning scientific writer who's book "Good Calories, Bad Calories" was on the New York Times Best Sellers list. Jonny Bowden, Ph.D. C.N.S. is a board certified nutritionist who's work helps lay people understand what is happening to their bodies when they choose to eat a high carb diet.

At his last checkup, my husband's kidney's are fine. There are no issues with his health. He had severe hypoglycemia attacks while on insulin. When he came off the insulin, he never had another hypoglycemic issue.

I am sorry for you that you are so skeptical. I sincerely hope you do not suffer diabetes because it seems like your mind is closed to what it would take to enable you to achieve optimum wellness.

In closing, I would hope you would offer my husband and I an apology for concluding that our story was a fake. We are sincere, caring people, who have come through a difficult period in our life and want to share it with others so that they may be able to avoid the horrible affects of diabetes that my husband suffered. May your God bless you.

Reply
Larry link
11/11/2012 09:47:21 am

As the founder of the site, I can confidently say that this story is no outlier. The results are phenomenal, so much so that people question how it could be possible! But I can tell you that there are literally hundreds are very similar stories that I hope can inspire many more people, as Mary and Dick already have. One will be published each week on the blog.

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