Is long-term remission of Type 2 Diabetes possible?

Yes. This 5-year update documents how a consistent low-carbohydrate lifestyle can lead to the sustained partial remission of Type 2 Diabetes and the elimination of the need for blood pressure medications.

How does weight loss impact waist circumference and blood pressure?

Clinically, a reduction in waist circumference (12.5 inches in this case study) is strongly correlated with improved metabolic health and the normalization of blood pressure levels without pharmacological intervention.

Can metabolic health be maintained after a viral illness?

While viral illnesses like COVID-19 can cause temporary setbacks and muscle weakness, the foundation of metabolic health built through nutrition allows for a gradual return to physical activity, such as hiking, during the recovery phase.

From the Mountains Through the Valleys

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Introduction

Tomorrow, March 5, 2022, it is five years since I began my personal health and weight recovery journey that I’ve dubbed “A Dietitian’s Journey”. While it began in 2017, it continues today, and that is the point behind this post.

Five years ago, I was obese, had type 2 diabetes for the previous 8 years, and had developed dangerously high blood pressure. There is no mistaking that I was a very sick woman. You can hear it in my voice in the video below. I could barely walk and talk at the same time.

One Year Later: March 5, 2018

A year after I had adopted a low-carbohydrate lifestyle, I had lost:

32 pounds
8 inches off my waist
8 inches off my chest, 3 inches off my neck, and 1 inch off my arms
No longer meet the criteria for type 2 diabetes (achieved without medication)
Blood pressure ranging between normal and pre-hypertension without medication
Ideal triglycerides and excellent cholesterol levels

Two Years Later: Progress and Challenges

Joy comparison photo Two years after beginning my journey, I had lost a total of:

55 pounds
12-1/2 inches off my waist
Significant reductions in my neck, chest, arms, and thighs
Met the criteria for partial remission of type 2 diabetes
Maintained ideal lipid levels and improved blood pressure

Then I got Covid, which was followed by months of post-viral symptoms, including finding it very difficult to walk. In the weeks that followed, my middle son would encourage me to go for walks with him. We started by going around the block, then around the neighbourhood, and then gradually increased.

The Fourth Anniversary: March 6, 2021

Joy hiking Then we took up hiking! Four years earlier, I could barely walk and talk at the same time, and for six months, I was hiking every week or two. This photo was taken last year on March 6, 2021 — the 4th anniversary of beginning my journey.

Like most journeys, this one has had ups and downs with both “mountain top experiences” and “valleys”. Recently, there have been a few valleys, but from the mountains to the valleys, there is no looking backwards for me, only forward. I hope my story and persistence serve to encourage you.

To your good health!

Joy

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LEGAL NOTICE: The contents of this blog, including text, images, and cited statistics, are for informational purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read in this content.

Joy Erdile, MSc, RD

I am a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and the owner of BetterByDesign Nutrition Ltd. With a postgraduate degree in Human Nutrition and a background as a published mental health nutrition researcher, I have been dedicated to supporting my clients’ clinical needs since 2008.

I hold active professional licenses in BC (CHPBC), Alberta (CDA), and Ontario (CDO), allowing me to provide regulated Medical Nutrition Therapy across these provinces. My expertise spans chronic disease management, complex digestive health, and therapeutic diets. I am deeply passionate about helping people reclaim their health, rooted in my firm belief that Nutrition is BetterByDesign©.