Life Is Good

From weigh-ins to walking, Michelle Wesener carved out her own path to better health.

- Heather Wiseman

After years spent losing and regaining weight, Michelle Wesener has lost 30kg and kept it off for two years. Rather than exercising and dieting, she has changed her lifestyle so walking and healthy eating have become a natural part of her every day.

When were you diagnosed with type 2?

It was about 20 years ago, when I was in my late 30s. My mother was also type 2, so I think it was in our genes. I didn’t have any diabetes symptoms when I went to the doctor. I was diagnosed after a routine check-up.

I was morbidly obese at the time. I felt very self-conscious and wouldn’t get on a scale unless I really had to. I’m 172cm tall and weighed about 100kg. But I was fairly fit. A couple of weeks before I was diagnosed I ran two half marathons over a six-week period. Luckily for me, my diabetes has been well controlled, and I only had to start Metformin in the last eight years or so.

Did you change anything after your diagnosis?

I always had a fairly healthy diet. The main issue for me was portion sizes. I lost some weight through the stress of treatment for breast cancer, my marriage ending and probably also from being depressed. But the cancer diagnosis was life-changing as I decided to live every moment. I knew that wasn’t going to happen unless I looked after myself better and lost weight.