Lifestyle changes bring rapid results for diabetes patient

For Debbie Hundley, the shift was gradual. Life got busy. She let herself go, and before she knew it, her energy level was at an all-time low.

"I didn't pay attention to the changes in myself," says Debbie, a 61-year-old Barron, Wisconsin, resident. "I kept telling people I was so extremely tired, but I wasn't connecting that to anything. I would go into work and say, 'I just feel like I've been drugged.' I was so tired, I could hardly get myself out of bed in the morning."

The mystery was solved at her annual physical.

"That's when the lab work discovered the diabetes," she says.

Support for better health

Fatigue is one of the telltale symptoms of diabetes, a disease affecting how the body uses blood sugar. Inactivity and excess weight increases a person's risk of developing Type 2 diabetes — the type Debbie has.

At the time of her physical, the results of Debbie's A1C test — a common blood test to diagnose diabetes — was extremely high at 7.3%. Levels of 6.5% or above indicate diabetes. Her physician quickly connected her with Louise Wanner, a diabetes educator at Mayo Clinic Health System – Northland in Barron. Louise explained to Debbie the effect of diabetes could have on her body, how to use a glucose meter to test blood sugar, and what to do when blood sugar levels get too high or low.

"Debbie decided she wanted to make some changes. Her diagnosis was the instigator she needed to take better care of herself, and she did." — Louise Wanner

"Initially, our goals are to provide awareness of what diabetes can do and how it physically affects your body and lifestyle," says Louise, noting she typically meets with patients three times with a phone call in between. "Debbie decided she wanted to make some changes. Her diagnosis was the instigator she needed to take better care of herself, and she did."

Change for good

In a matter of months, Debbie shed 70 pounds and brought her A1C level down to a much safer 5.3%. She says she attributes her rapid success to a combination of diet and exercise changes and a diabetes medication.

"I don't say it's a diet. It's a lifestyle change," says Debbie, who reports feeling more energetic and "100% better. I eat healthier, and I watch my portion sizes. I've cut out high-carb foods and a lot of sweets. Basically, I've changed my diet to accommodate healthier choices. I've had a lot of support from my family and co-workers, and that's extremely helpful."

"People say, 'How are you going to keep it up?' but I really don't feel deprived or that it's work. I've embraced it. That's the way it is, and that's the way it's going to stay." — Debbie Hundley

She also has incorporated exercise into her routine, walking a minimum of two to three times a week. She soon hopes to wean herself off the diabetes medication.

"My goal is to be medication-free," says Debbie, who has chosen to make lifestyle changes and pledges to maintain her healthy new habits long term.

"People say, 'How are you going to keep it up?' but I really don't feel deprived or that it's work," she says. "I've embraced it. That's the way it is, and that's the way it's going to stay."

Debbie appreciates Louise's encouragement and the support she's found through Diabetes Education at Mayo Clinic Health System.

"You need that when you're first starting out," she says. "It's just been very helpful. If there are any questions I have, I won't hesitate to call and ask."