A 59-year-old woman has completely transformed her health and life, shedding an incredible 66 pounds and reversing her type 2 diabetes, after a distressing incident on holiday where a shop had no clothes in her size.
The Turning Point: A Holiday Reality Check
Gerri Walters from Haddenham in Buckinghamshire says her moment of truth came during a family holiday to Turkey in the summer of 2023. Tipping the scales at over 17 stone and wearing a size 22, she felt deeply self-conscious. Her confidence hit a new low when the manager of her hotel shop told her they carried nothing that would fit her.
"Later, a shopkeeper in town tried to wave me into another store, and I saw it catered only for plus sizes. I was mortified," Gerri recalls. The experience, combined with dreading holiday photographs, made her realise her weight was holding her back from enjoying life.
A Health Crisis and Years of Struggle
Gerri's weight struggles began in childhood, exacerbated after having her two sons, Tom and Jon, in quick succession. As a busy secondary school teacher and mother, she relied on convenience foods. In 2018, a routine blood test delivered a shock diagnosis: type 2 diabetes.
"I had no symptoms, so it was a complete shock," she explains. She was immediately put on medication and faced regular health checks. Despite previous attempts at diet clubs, she found herself stuck in a cycle of yo-yo dieting, lacking the right support to make lasting change.
Finding the Right Support and Succeeding
After returning from Turkey, Gerri contacted a friend who had succeeded with The 1:1 Diet by Cambridge Weight Plan. In August 2023, she began the programme with her Consultant, Pavlina. The structured plan, combined with weekly check-ins and unwavering support, proved to be the key.
"It was like an epiphany; I didn't need a huge plate of food to feel full," Gerri said. Her partner, Malcolm, also provided crucial encouragement at home. Within a year, she lost 3 stone and 10 pounds, dropping from a size 22 to a size 14.
Most significantly, her blood sugar levels returned to normal and she was able to come off all diabetes medication. The chronic joint pain that plagued her also vanished.
A New Life and a Message of Hope
Gerri's transformation has been profound. She has rediscovered her zest for life, walking her dog, participating in amateur dramatics, and—in a move she never imagined—becoming a model at the age of 59.
"If you'd told me a few years ago that I'd be doing photoshoots in London at 59, I'd have laughed!" she says. Driven to help others, she has now trained to become a Consultant for the diet plan herself.
Her advice for others is to be kind and set flexible, realistic goals. "Weight loss is a marathon, not a sprint," she advises. Gerri hopes her story inspires others, proving that type 2 diabetes does not have to be a life sentence and that it's never too late to reclaim your health and confidence.
