Lesley
Getting the message loud and clear
"If you don’t lose weight you’ll have to go on insulin to control your diabetes!”
Sound familiar? It might, given the fact that type 2 diabetes has reached epidemic proportions here in New Zealand.
When Lesley Davies’ doctor told her that she needed to lose weight or face daily insulin shots to manage her diabetes, she heard the message loud and clear. Lesley wasn’t about to let diabetes rule her life, so she got up and took control of her own future.
Lesley has lost over 20kgs (three dress sizes!) since that day at the doctor's office. She's adamant that the extra kilos have gone for good and is determined to lose even more to reach her healthy weight goal. So, what's been the key to Lesley’s success? In contrast to other times in her life, when sudden weight loss due to fad diets had resulted in weighing even more in the long run, Lesley adopted a slow and controlled approach to weight loss through sensible eating and plenty of enjoyable exercise. This means that, unlike her earlier failed attempts at weight loss, Lesley has kept the weight off and is feeling great about herself.
The changes in Lesley's health are enough tomake anyone proud.And Lesley sure is proud of her achievement. Not only has she lost most of her extra kilos, insulin dependency is no longer a threat and her blood pressure has dropped to a really healthy level. And the changes haven't just been physical. Lesley’s confidence has soared and she's getting more from life every day.
"For years I lacked self-confidence. Now I have so much more energy and confidence in myself," Lesley says. This new lease on life has been noticeable to the people around Lesley - her enthusiasm and commitment to a new healthy lifestyle has been infectious. As the Human Resources Coordinator for 3M, she knows how important a healthy lifestyle is in managing a stressful job. Lesley has encouraged one of her colleagues to enter and captain a 3M team in the Cancer Society’s Relay for Life and one of her own work projects is to organise and facilitate a "Body & Soul" weekfor 3M staff.
Lesley acknowledges that the motivation,advice and support from Kay Yeoman (Green Prescription Patient Support at Harbour Sport) played a big part in helping her change her lifestyle. But, as Lesley says, “when it comes down to it, it's up to you to take control and make the changes".
Updated | 07 Aug 2007.
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