Raised in the NSW country, Erica has always had a healthy appetite and a love for fresh food, but like many Australians, she spent years battling weight gain and rising blood sugar levels. Diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in her  50s, she spent over 15 years on medication, believing she was managing it well. But a series of health scares including heart issues and breast cancer were a wake-up call. When she stumbled across a book on reversing diabetes through low carb eating, it struck a chord. And after joining the Defeat Diabetes Program in June 2024, everything changed.

“I was always my mum’s chubby child and after having kids in my 30s, I was in the obese range. I tried losing weight several times, and sometimes it worked… but it always came back. I didn’t take my blood sugar levels seriously at first. It only sank in when I had a stent put in after feeling a strange heaviness in my arm and the cardiologist told me directly: cardiovascular disease and diabetes are linked. That got me thinking...

"I went to a Diabetes Educator and went on the diet as recommended back then, but after four or five years, diet alone wasn’t enough. My sugar levels crept up and I was prescribed Metformin.  I was on Metformin for 15 years. It upset my stomach, made me constipated but the doctors just told me to drink more water and eat more fruit. I started to take Metamucil and laxatives frequently. I just lived with it.

“In 2021, I tried a weight loss program through my private health fund. Initially, it was shakes, but as it transitioned to healthy eating it made me think about food groups, serving sizes and nutrition.  I lost seven kilos and my blood sugar levels reduced a bit.

“While visiting my sister, I read a book by a UK chef, Gian Carlo Caldesi, who reversed his diabetes by cutting carbs. That made sense to me. I started following his recommendations and tried several of his recipes.  It made me aware of the impact of carbs in our diet. Then I stumbled across the Defeat Diabetes Program on the internet and decided to give it a go. 

“Within three months, I’d lost another 7 kilos. My blood sugar levels dropped right back to normal. That was the lightbulb moment. I kept going. By October 2024, I’d come off Metformin completely and my levels stayed steady.  That was after 15 years on medication!

“All up, I’ve now lost 14 to 15 kg. I’m off all diabetes meds, and my HbA1c is under 7.2%. That’s a huge win.

“I really liked the Defeat Diabetes lesson videos and webinars. I was hungry for the information and they motivated me to embrace a healthier lifestyle. The recipes were great too, especially at the start. I’d modify the recipes to make single servings just for me. Eventually, I found I didn’t need to follow them to the letter; I knew what to do.

“A typical winter’s day for me starts with a small amount of granola or rolled oats with seeds, nuts and yoghurt or an egg with tomato and a cup of coffee. I know the oats have carbs, but I’ve reduced the amount I’d have, and I monitor my blood sugar levels. Lunch might be chicken and veg soup, or eggs. If I eat out, I might order soup of the day or a Chicken Caesar Salad, occasionally I’ll have a toasted sandwich. Dinner could be a lamb casserole or a steak, or pork medallion with veggies. I love my vegetables! I use a smaller plate now, and I make sure about a quarter of the plate is protein and half is yellow and green veg.

“My GP wasn’t particularly supportive, but I knew I was on the right track. Monitoring my blood glucose was key. I could see the difference straight away, even a glass of wine would spike it, which is why I avoid it now.

“My sister really gets it, she’s coeliac, so she understands food intolerance and how much it matters. A lot of my friends have type 2 diabetes too, but they just look at me disbelieving. They say, ‘That’s not for me.’ I just smile and think, ‘Well, it worked for me and I’ve been off diabetes meds for 9 months! Most importantly, I’m feeling healthy and more energetic.

“I’ve also discovered I’m probably lactose intolerant. I’ve been lactose-free for six weeks and feel so much better. I walk regularly with a friend along the beaches here in Port Macquarie, and I do pilates once a week.

“If you’re thinking about trying the Defeat Diabetes Program, I’ll tell you this: it’s a real solution to your diabetes. If I can be off meds after 15 years and still have steady blood glucose, I’m winning. I’m on top of it. You’ve got to take control, know what you’re eating and keep monitoring it. When you understand your body and what it needs, everything changes.”