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Supporter stories – Rachel

/ Health & Fitness

When faced with the prospect of developing Type 2 diabetes, Rachel decided to fight back through exercise and diet control – and the result was amazing.

We love to hear from our members as they progress towards their goals. Last week, we caught up with Rachel Weingartner, who told us about her amazing fitness journey.

In 2015 Rachel was diagnosed with pre-diabetes. She weighed 21stone, and needed to lose weight to prevent the onset of Type 2 diabetes. The doctor referred her to a dietician, but the long waiting list prompted her to take matters into her own hands.

Armed with just a cookbook and gym membership, Rachel began to make healthier choices.

Having previously attended the Heelers programme (now known as Exercise on Referral), Rachel had learnt the basics of putting together an exercise regime that suited her. She used these principles, and starting slowly, began to build up her stamina and confidence.

After her first 45min session, Rachel was tired, but exhilarated, and having enjoyed herself, decided to go back the next day. Before long, she began to see the weight loss.

Looking back over the last year, Rachel can see clear benefits of the changes to her lifestyle. Not only has she lost 10st in weight, but she’s more confident, more energetic and happy to go out. Clothes-shopping is no longer a chore.

Rachel treadmill
Rachel treadmill

Her son is a big fan too, having once drawn her as a fat stick man; he now draws her as “thin stick man mummy”, a point that pleases Rachel.

Rachel encourages anyone facing the same situation as she was a year ago to “just get out and do it! The benefits are huge and once you start you won’t be able to stop!”

And as for Rachel’s plans, she’s running 80miles throughout September to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support. Find out more about this great cause at www.macmillan.org.uk or donate to show Rachel your support here.

A word from our nutrition consultant:

Obesity can cause an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Without any exercise and good eating strategy Rachel was well on the way to developing Type 2 diabetes. This brings many complications in terms of increased risk for things such as eyesight problems, nerve damage and cardiovascular complications.

The weight loss was a huge part of lowering her risk for type 2 diabetes and the exercise along with the improved nutrition intake allowed her body to manage her blood sugar levels much more effectively as well as causing her muscle to start responding to insulin. Both these things combined had a huge impact on Rachel’s health and life in general.

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