“Diabetes is a potentially killer disease so being able to do something is invaluable"

Monday 09 November 2020

An islander has opened up about his journey towards getting his diabetes under control with the help of a weight-loss programme being trialled in Jersey, thanks to funding from a local charity.

Jeremy Field (47) has lost three stone since joining the CounterweightPlus Programme in February and recent blood tests showed his Type 2 diabetes was in remission.

Jeremy was diagnosed just over a year and a half ago following a ‘well man check’ carried out with his GP. 

“I considered myself healthy, so I didn’t go to the doctor’s,” he explained. “This shows how it’s actually important to do your ‘well man’ and ‘well woman’ checks to pick up other stuff that might be an issue. I would have been none the wiser without it.”

Pictured: The Diabetic Centre is based at Overdale.

After his diagnosis, Jeremy was referred to the Diabetic Centre where he met Dr Elias Chacko and specialist diabetes dietitian Fumi Fukuda, and was introduced to the CounterweightPlus Programme.

The year-long programme is designed for individuals who have been diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes and who meet pre-determined criteria, and is aimed at managing their condition. 

It involves patients restricting to 800kcal per day and using total diet replacing products in the form of soups and shakes, with the regular support of a specialist diabetes dietitian.

In similar trials in the United Kingdom, 46% of participants needed no medication a year later, while around 36% of those individuals were still in remission after two years.

Earlier this year, Diabetes Jersey provided funding for a pilot scheme with 11 participants and the charity said they were so confident in the outcomes that they had already offered funding for a further 12 people to take part, at a cost of £7,000.  

Pictured: Diabetes Jersey provided the funding for 11 islanders to join the year-long programme.

Now eight months into the programme, Jeremy hopes that funding will be found to continue the programme, which he says has been “life-changing."

Having never been on a diet before he joined the programme, Jeremy said he didn’t know how he would respond. Luckily, as he said, he started just when the island went into lockdown, meaning he was not tempted by cakes and sweets in the office. 

“I was quite fortunate that lockdown happened at the right time for me to concentrate on the diet,” Jeremy said.

“The main thing was walking past my family’s snack cupboard. My wife and two daughters have really supported me. 

“We have all been embracing more healthy food and adopted a kind of Mediterranean diet, it’s been really helpful.”

Jeremy was also able to count on the support of the team at the Diabetic Centre, which he said was “outstanding”, especially when he reintroduced meals into his diet and became concerned about portion control and more temptations.  

“They gave 100% support through this and it’s still ongoing,” Jeremy said. “What helped me is Ms Fukuda was very strict and said these are the parameters you have to work with. She gave me a proper health plan and I cannot thank her enough for being realistic.

“Everything is planned out and set out but if something goes wrong there is always help out there to get you back on track. For every scenario there is a solution, something that can be discussed.

“I also give credit to the Diabetic Centre for the way they adjusted during lockdown. It all went online, and it can’t have been easy as they were introducing a new programme.”

Pictured: Jeremy says the programme has helped him change his thought process about food.

While he admits he missed food whilst being on shakes, Jeremy says that seeing the weight coming off kept him focused. Overall, Jeremy lost three stone and two blood tests have also confirmed his sugar levels are back to normal and his diabetes is in remission. 

Jeremy says the programme, which he describes as a “well-oiled machine”, helped him change his thought process about food and be much more conscious about what he eats. In addition, he signed himself up for a gym and exercises regularly.

“If I go out for a meal with friends and family, I would now be careful about what I eat through the day so that I don’t go over my 1800 calories, that’s now a lifestyle choice, and if I do eat more, I exercise more, it’s a balance,” he explained.

“I do miss eating some foods on a regular basis, but I understand that health is important and when I do get to eat some of that food, it’s like a treat and I look forward to that for days.”

CounterweightPlus has made a huge difference to Jeremy’s life and he says it has the potential of helping many others, which would be beneficial not only to the individuals involved but also the health service and GPs.

“I felt very lucky to be on the programme and that’s why I wanted to make it a success,” Jeremy said. “This was free and personally I felt it was important to give this my best shot and I am very grateful and thankful for having the opportunity.

“It’s absolutely fantastic that Diabetes Jersey managed to fund it. They are absolutely amazing and I cannot thank them enough for funding this opportunity, from the bottom of my heart. 

“Diabetes is a potentially killer disease so being able to do something about it is invaluable.”