Michael Green, a person living with Type 2 diabetes, tells us how he lost 25kg in six months by using Slender Wonder – a medical weight loss programme.

Michael Green (55) lives in Randburg, Gauteng. He is divorced and has two adult sons and one grandchild.

When were you diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes?

I was diagnosed during an insurance medical examination when I was 28 years old. I was put on Glucophage for many years. More recently, I was prescribed Galvus Met 50/1000 (two tablets daily).

What made you decide to lose weight?

I always knew that a large part of my Type 2 diabetes was due to bad eating habits and bad hydration. I have seen how my father has suffered and is suffering now (in his seventies) due to many years of undiagnosed and untreated Type 2 diabetes problems. So, I decided to do something about my health on my own.

How did you find out about Slender Wonder?

I bumped into a friend who I hadn’t seen for about twenty years. He looked great and I complimented him. Then he showed me before and after photos. I was blown away and decided to try Slender Wonder.

Tell us about the Slender Wonder programme you followed?

I started Slender Wonder on 7 April 2016, with Dr Gerda Scholtz, weighing 110,3kg with a body mass fat of 30,3%

I done the Slender Wonder Simeon B Programme which consists of six weeks of injections and a very strict meal plan, followed by a two week ‘Go moderate’ rest period which has no injections and slightly more food. This repeats until the goal weight is achieved.

As the weight came off and I had increased energy, I stepped up my physical training, which was not necessary but just something that I wanted to do. I must say that I was super strict. I weighed every meal and never cheated once.

By 23 September 2016, my weight was down to 84,7kg and my body mass fat was 12,9%.

From a diabetic perspective, the more important thing was that my visceral fat level (fat around the organs) dropped from 15 to 5. I had lost 25kg in six months.

Was your diabetes medication stopped or the dosage lowered once you lost weight?

No, I stayed on my diabetes medication as it has just become habit over many years. My HbA1c level dropped from around 7,5% on medication to under 5%. Slender Wonder is by far the best thing that I have ever done in my struggle against Type 2 diabetes.

How did you feel once you lost the weight?

I felt fantastic! Like I had a new lease on life. Full of energy and motivated. Though, I got tired of people asking me if I was sick as I was always a stocky guy and now I was quite skinny. I went from 38-sized jeans to a 32.

You have gained weight recently. Are you disappointed?

No, Slender Wonder is a change of lifestyle more than a diet. I went back to my old eating habits and if you eat what you ate before going on Slender Wonder then you will weigh the same as you did before. For some reasons, I needed to prove that to myself, and I still do.

I currently weigh 97kg again and though better than when I started, it is a continuous process.

Would you go back on Slender Wonder?

Yes, absolutely! I am back using Slender Wonder. My goal, at this point, is to weigh 90kg and be healthy. I am less hard on myself and I cheat a bit which shows on the scale.

MEET OUR EDITOR

Laurelle Williams is the Editor at Word for Word Media. She graduated from AFDA with a Bachelor of Arts Honours degree in Live Performance. She has a love for storytelling and sharing emotions through the power of words. Her aim is to educate, encourage and most of all show there is always hope. Feel free to email Laurelle on editor@diabetesfocus.co.za