A Glasgow man has completely turned around his health after being diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes earlier this year.
Mark McCabe, 49, from Dennistoun, was diagnosed in April after experiencing ongoing foot pain and years of poor diet and limited physical activity.
Mark said: "I’d never been great with my diet and had a pain in my foot for a year, so it didn’t come as a surprise at all, but at the same time I was still shocked."
Motivated to take control of his health, he joined NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde’s (NHSGGC) Control IT Plus programme, which helps people with Type 2 diabetes manage their condition through lifestyle changes and education.
Seven months later, he has now lost two stone, reduced his waist by four inches, and lowered his blood sugar levels.
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Mark said: "I got referred to Control IT Plus, and I got a lot of really good advice.
"One of the best things about the programme is getting access to dietitians, diabetes specialist nurses and podiatrists.
"They talked to us about balanced meals, balancing carbohydrates and protein and the footcare advice was especially helpful.
"It was also really accessible for me as someone on the autistic spectrum – it was online, I asked questions, listened, and felt included."
Mark is one of more than 310,000 people in Scotland living with Type 2 diabetes, including over 72,000 in the Greater Glasgow and Clyde area.
He is now encouraging others to take advantage of the support on offer.
Mark said: "My message to others living with type 2 diabetes is to attend Control IT Plus and ask questions if you’re unsure.
"I swapped crisps for nuts and fizzy juice for soda water, and I was totally delighted when I started to see changes in my weight.
"I knew there was some improvement because the pain in my foot was going away, but I can see the weight loss every day now when I’m getting dressed.
"It’s a gradual process, do it at your own pace, but if you’re like me, reduce your sugar intake and you’ll start to look after yourself."
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Geraldine Lucas, health improvement lead for the Type 2 Diabetes Hub at NHSGGC, said: "Diabetes is a serious but manageable condition, and I would urge anyone with type 2 diabetes to take up the offer of Control IT Plus just like Mark did.
"He’s a brilliant example of the improvements you can make with simple changes to your diet and exercise.
"This can have a positive impact on your health, support better type 2 diabetes control and help you to stay well for longer.
“Support with weight management is also available through our Type 2 Diabetes Hub.”
The Control IT Plus programme offers practical advice on meal planning, physical activity, and foot care, all designed to help people live well with diabetes.
For more information, visit the NHSGGC Type 2 Diabetes Hub online or call 0141 531 8901.
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