Julio’s Journey: “You have nothing to lose but a lot to gain”

Julio, 59, a computer engineer from South Kensington, joined the NHS Type 2 Diabetes Path to Remission Programme with a clear goal: “to lose some weight and control my diabetes.” With a busy social life, enjoying meals out and travelling, he was initially concerned about hunger, but the experience turned out to be easier than expected. “It was not as hard as I thought in the beginning.”

He stuck with the soups throughout the programme, rather than the shakes, and his results kept him going: “The results helped me stay motivated.” One standout moment was reintroducing real food again: “That was the best part.”

The outcomes were life-changing. “I lost around 3 stones so far. I am no longer diabetic and I am no longer having medication.”

Since completing the programme, Julio has embraced a new way of living. He’s invested in his health by preparing everything from scratch, even making his own yogurt, butter, bread, and ice cream. “That makes a huge difference. I’m not having ultra-processed food, preservatives, or artificial sugars at all.”
His key insight? “You don't need to renounce anything, you just need to learn to make better choices.”