Johan was a hardworking executive in his early fifties, grappling with the demands of his high-stress job. But on a seemingly ordinary day, October 21st, 2022, he found himself at his general practitioner’s office for a routine check-up and a new prescription. Little did he know, this visit would be a wake-up call for his health.
At the age of 51, Johan was facing several health concerns. He relied on medications for blood pressure, heart rate, and cholesterol. Standing at 1.81 meters tall, his weight had reached a concerning 140 kilograms. His wardrobe had expanded to 3XL shirts and size 40 pants, with a tummy circumference of 128 centimetres. It was clear that his lifestyle had taken a toll on his well-being.
Not only was Johan struggling with physical issues, but his snoring had also become a source of disturbance for his wife. Seeking answers, he turned to his doctor for guidance. Two days after his check-up, Johan received a call from his doctor informing him about slightly elevated blood sugar levels. He was prescribed a daily dose of 500mg metformin and was startled to learn about his potential diabetes diagnosis. His doctor reassured him that with medication and lifestyle changes, he could manage the condition.
Curiosity and concern led Johan to delve into the depths of the internet for more information. He discovered that reducing sugar intake was crucial, so he made necessary adjustments to his diet. Additionally, he started walking 3 kilometres every night in an effort to improve his health.
Not only was Johan struggling with physical issues, but his snoring had also become a source of disturbance for his wife. Seeking answers, he turned to his doctor for guidance. Two days after his check-up, Johan received a call from his doctor informing him about slightly elevated blood sugar levels. He was prescribed a daily dose of 500mg metformin and was startled to learn about his potential diabetes diagnosis. His doctor reassured him that with medication and lifestyle changes, he could manage the condition.
Curiosity and concern led Johan to delve into the depths of the internet for more information. He discovered that reducing sugar intake was crucial, so he made necessary adjustments to his diet. Additionally, he started walking 3 kilometres every night in an effort to improve his health.
However, a week later, Johan realised that the metformin wasn’t yielding the desired results. Frustrated, he decided to seek help from an endocrinologist in Cape Town. During his visit, the nurse asked him how long he had been a diabetic. Astonished, Johan replied that he wasn’t aware of being diabetic; his doctor had merely mentioned high blood sugar and prescribed medication. It was during this visit that he received the unexpected news from the nurse: he was officially a diabetic.
Taken aback by the revelation, Johan sought advice from the nurse. He explained his efforts with medication, exercise, sugar reduction, and moderation in alcohol consumption, but his condition hadn’t improved. The nurse assured him that he was on the right track and recommended increasing his metformin dosage to 2000mg per day. She emphasised the importance of maintaining his new lifestyle, suggesting nuts or biltong as healthy snack options. Armed with a prescription for vitamin D and a follow-up appointment in six months, Johan left the clinic.
Later that day, as Johan contemplated his situation, he felt an urge to do more to improve his health. Before heading out for his nightly walk, he decided to find an audiobook to listen to. A search for “diabetes” led him to a title that caught his attention: “Your Simple Guide to Reversing Type 2 Diabetes” by Professor Roy Taylor. This book revealed a revelation to Johan: type 2 diabetes could be reversed through lifestyle changes. He was astounded that none of his doctors had mentioned this possibility. According to the book, he needed to consume meal replacement shakes, reduce his calorie intake, and lose 10% of his weight to reverse his condition.
On November 24th, 2022, Johan had an unexpected encounter with renowned chef Pete Goffe-Wood at The Ultimate Braai Master TV series shoot. During their conversation, Johan mentioned his recent diabetes diagnosis, prompting Pete to share information about the FIRE Diabetes Programme. Intrigued, Johan signed up for the program.
By Christmas 2022, Johan had already lost 14 kilograms, bringing his weight down to 126 kilograms. Feeling optimistic, he indulged in a festive Christmas lunch and a bottle and a half of red wine. The following morning, Johan made a firm decision to take more drastic measures in preparation for his FIRE Diabetes journey. He committed to abstaining from alcohol for three months and opted for shakes only for a few days. Over the next 12 days, he consumed three shakes daily and walked 3 kilometers every night.
On November 24th, 2022, Johan had an unexpected encounter with renowned chef Pete Goffe-Wood at The Ultimate Braai Master TV series shoot. During their conversation, Johan mentioned his recent diabetes diagnosis, prompting Pete to share information about the FIRE Diabetes Programme. Intrigued, Johan signed up for the program.
By Christmas 2022, Johan had already lost 14 kilograms, bringing his weight down to 126 kilograms. Feeling optimistic, he indulged in a festive Christmas lunch and a bottle and a half of red wine. The following morning, Johan made a firm decision to take more drastic measures in preparation for his FIRE Diabetes journey. He committed to abstaining from alcohol for three months and opted for shakes only for a few days. Over the next 12 days, he consumed three shakes daily and walked 3 kilometers every night.
On January 13th, 2023, Johan went for a checkup and was delighted to discover that his weight had dropped to 120 kilograms. His cholesterol and blood pressure were within healthy ranges, and his blood sugar levels had decreased to 5.9. Encouraged by these positive results, Johan continued with two shakes per day, a 3-kilometer walk, and a healthy dinner for the next 10 days.
Finally, on January 28th, 2023, Johan’s eagerly anticipated FIRE Diabetes journey began, with his weight at 116.4 kilograms. Two weeks into the program, Johan underwent a blood test to assess his progress. His HbA1c had dropped to 5.9, and his vitamin D levels were within a healthy range. Doc Stef, one of the doctors on the programme, personally called Johan to discuss his results and set a new target weight. To Johan’s surprise, his true target weight should be 81 kilograms, considering his height of 1.81 meters. Despite his doubts, Doc Stef encouraged him to stick to the programme and assured him that his goal was attainable.
Johan found the FIRE programme easy to follow and enjoyable, with daily videos and information presented in manageable portions. He particularly relished the cooking videos by Pete Goffe-Wood, trying out the Hungarian Goulash recipe multiple times. Throughout the program, Johan adhered to the One Meal a Day (OMAD) approach, embraced intermittent fasting, and felt excited as he neared the end of the program, where he even embarked on a 72-hour fast.
On March 13th, 2023, Johan completed the FIRE Diabetes program, weighing in at 106.8 kilograms. He couldn’t believe that his journey had come to an end, as he had grown accustomed to the positive changes in his life. Determined to continue his progress, Johan joined the FIRE Circle and maintained OMAD, followed the Green List, and incorporated Cancer Bush into his routine.
By May 16th, 2023, Johan achieved his first goal of reaching 100 kilograms, with a total weight loss of 40 kilograms. His HbA1c improved to 5.6, and his clothing sizes reduced significantly. The sight of his old Matric shirt fitting better than before and his Army Browns becoming too big served as a heartwarming reminder of his transformation.
Johan’s success inspired those around him to seek advice and embark on their own journeys to wellness. His wife joined him in the OMAD lifestyle, his personal assistant lost weight, and a friend experienced positive results without exercise. Even his family members and business associates signed up for the FIRE Diabetes program, motivated by Johan’s achievements.
By May 16th, 2023, Johan achieved his first goal of reaching 100 kilograms, with a total weight loss of 40 kilograms. His HbA1c improved to 5.6, and his clothing sizes reduced significantly. The sight of his old Matric shirt fitting better than before and his Army Browns becoming too big served as a heartwarming reminder of his transformation.
Johan’s success inspired those around him to seek advice and embark on their own journeys to wellness. His wife joined him in the OMAD lifestyle, his personal assistant lost weight, and a friend experienced positive results without exercise. Even his family members and business associates signed up for the FIRE Diabetes program, motivated by Johan’s achievements.
In May 2023, Johan purchased a continuous glucose monitor, the Freestyle Libre Sensor, to track his glucose levels. He was surprised to find that even a large cappuccino without sugar caused a spike in his blood glucose. Better to stay vigilant and Stick to the Green List!
Well done Johan! You are an excellent example of a participant who embraced the FIRE Lifestyle with dedication and focus.