'I was size 22 and could barely climb stairs but now I am fitter than ever at 60'

Sheila Hogan from Edinburgh feared she may never see her grandchildren grow up unless she changed her lifestyle after being told she was pre-diabetic and had high cholesterol

A self-confessed 'yo-yo dieter' who was a size 22 shared her journey after turning her life around by shedding five stone. Sheila Hogan, 60, from Edinburgh, said at one point she could barely climb the stairs. Her doctor told her she had arthritis, was pre-diabetic and suffered from high cholesterol.

The grandmother's story comes following World Diabetes Day last Thursday, which seeks to raise awareness of diabetes and how wellbeing is at the heart of diabetes care. After realising her struggle with stairs, Sheila knew she had to make a change out of fear she may not see her grandchildren grow up.

She had already tried many diets in the past and was well aware of the struggles that can come with trying to lose weight. But this time she wanted a permanent fix. One day, Sheila saw her idol Oprah Winfrey using weight loss injections and decided that this method could be an option for her, reports SurreyLive. She came across NHS-backed Second Nature, a healthy lifestyle plan which offers two medication-assisted programmes. The programme uses behavioural science to ‘rewire’ eating habits.

Over 10 years, Second Nature says it has helped more than 250,000 people in the UK achieve long-lasting weight loss. Sheila explained: "I had crooked thinking. I was either on a diet, or I’m not, so I was pigging out. If I wasn’t on a diet, I wouldn’t contemplate a piece of fruit or a salad. I would just eat rubbish and big portions. And I know everything about nutrition".

But she realised it was serious when she was told it was actually impacting her health. This time, I knew I had to do things differently. With real food, not shakes or powders."

She added: "I wouldn’t just put any drug into my body without researching. And I felt confident with the NHS support for Second Nature and in terms of the other research I’d done, that this was right for me." Sheila also joined a gym, which she said has "completely changed" the shape of her body. She went on: "I’m in awe of what a difference it has made to my life. I am now five-and-a-half-stone lighter, a size 12, and I feel stronger, fitter and younger." She has "injected a low dose of Wegovy every four weeks from August 2023," and has experienced no side effects. In fact, she "noticed a positive difference" after three days with a loss of appetite and not feeling hungry.

"Before this, there was a constant search for something. That constant feeling of always wanting something. And going to the fridge for something. ‘What can I have to eat now?’ And eating large quantities too. But I didn’t feel that any more," she said. Sheila admitted before she tried weight loss plan, she would have "forced a pudding in" even when she was feeling full - but now she feels satiated much quicker. She said: "I was contemplating bariatric surgery, but the money I’ve spent on the weight loss medication is cheaper, and it’s safer than surgery - plus I feel fantastic.

"This has completely changed my life. I feel fitter than ever and have more energy. What’s more, I’m going to be around for many more years to see my grandkids grow up, and that, to me, makes it all completely worthwhile." Since then, Shelia said her doctor told her she's "no longer pre-diabetic" and that her "cholesterol levels are back to normal". If you need any advice regarding diabetes, it is always a good idea to speak to your GP first.