Caroline stumbled across Integral Wellness by accident, but it was an accident that “changed my life”. After attending a local menopause support group, where she met Holly, she became engrossed in our blogs. The information about insulin resistance sounded exactly like what Caroline was experiencing. Paired with edging very close to a type 2 diabetes diagnosis, it was enough to book a free call and chat about how Integral Wellness could help.
The GP can diagnose conditions, but unless you’re seeking medication, they may not have the support you’re looking for. Feedback from GPs and Pharmacists is that the tide is turning, and more and more people are asking for diet and lifestyle advice over medications. The problem is the GP is not trained to provide this, and you – or Caroline, in this case – are left stranded wondering what to do next.
Caroline was given one small steer by the GP when she was told her blood sugar levels were in the type 2 diabetes range: “Cut out all starchy carbs.” This simply left her deflated. She had already made an effort to reduce her sugar intake when she was told she was pre-diabetic, as she knew these were contributing to her blood sugar issues, but she didn’t know if she could cut out all starchy carbohydrates and still exercise, feel energised, and, importantly, be happy.
There is a lot of conflicting information about how to approach blood sugar issues and type 2 diabetes. Caroline wondered whether eliminating all sugar and starchy carbs was necessary, yet she couldn’t get a straight answer from her GP, nurse practitioner or online.
Caroline felt awful; upping her HRT medication didn’t resolve anything, and her symptoms were only getting worse;
- Low mood
- Brain fog
- Low energy
- Constantly hungry
- Craved sweet foods
Understandably frustrated, Caroline attended the menopause support group in her continued search for answers, and that’s where she met Holly, Integral Wellness Nutritionist. Diving into the blogs and joining our free Facebook Group, That Blood Sugar Group, Caroline quickly booked a free call to discuss how our support could help.
“I felt really desperate for some answers as to what I should do with diet/exercise/lifestyle etc. We discussed 1:1 coaching and the ‘That Blood Sugar Fix’ programme, and I decided to join the programme as I felt the focus on blood sugars was just what I needed. As a Scientist, I was also really keen to see the data from the CGM testing phases.“
The 10-week course provides continuous support from Natalie, Clinic Director and registered Nutritional Therapist and the other members who join—it’s a great community. Throughout the program, you are guided through masterclasses designed to help you understand how your diet, sleep, stress, and movement impact your body so you can make the right changes.
The Blood Sugar Fix uses a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) at the beginning and end of the program to measure your blood sugar levels throughout the day. This allows you to identify areas needing improvement and track your progress. It also helps you identify how your needs differ from others, and that personalisation is a game changer.
“The way the course is laid out made me feel I could make small, gradual changes that were sustainable. I liked the holistic approach. I also liked the way the reasoning and evidence was given for suggested changes to our lifestyle. Nothing felt gimmicky and it all felt doable around my current schedule.“
Caroline's results:
- Dropped 6kg in body weight – even with a 2-week holiday
- Down a dress size
- More energy and no need for an afternoon nap
- Brain fog was pretty much wiped out immediately
- Felt motivated to keep making changes
- Resting heart rate has improved by 3 points
And this doesn’t mark the end of the changes for Caroline. With the confidence and evidence that she can change habits, Caroline is continuing to improve her metabolic flexibility, increase her weight lifting to improve her insulin sensitivity, and has booked a blood test to get an update on her journey to reversing type 2 diabetes.
“It’s changed my life. I can see that I don’t need to think about eating all the time. I have a lot more flexibility around mealtimes, and I can really see how this way of eating and living can continue for the rest of my life so that I can enter my 50s (scary thought being that old!!) healthier than I spent most of my 40s.
If you are concerned about insulin resistance, pre-diabetes or type 2 diabetes, I would highly recommend the course [That Blood Sugar Fix] and the ‘That Blood Sugar Group’ on Facebook for guidance and information.“
