One man went on an incredible journey to beat diabetes and take control of his life. By working out and eating healthier, he lost a whopping 200 pounds. Mitch Fuhlman wanted a better life for himself and his kids, so he put himself to the ultimate test. He shows us that if you put your mind over matter, you can accomplish anything.
“I started in 2018; my health was severely declining,” he said. “I was diagnosed with diabetes. My doctor told me I needed weight loss surgery, or I was going to die, and it lit a fire under me. That’s what started my journey.”
Mitch’s highest recorded weight was 393, and at that time, he had many health problems. He says he had been overweight or obese since childhood, so reversing his conditions wouldn’t happen overnight. However, he knew he had to give it all he had for his future and family.
“How hard was it at the beginning? Very hard! Very hard to stay motivated, very hard to be brave and walk into a gym.”
Despite the struggles he faced, Mitch kept at it, knowing that all the hard work would pay off. He also knew that his life depended on the efforts he put in at the gym. Luckily, it didn’t take him long to see results.
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“You see results pretty quickly when you stay consistent. Weight started falling off pretty fast, and that helps keep the motivation high,” he said. “Eventually, those numbers even out, and you’ve just got to keep doing what you’re doing.”
So, how did he keep up the grueling routine when the scale wasn’t moving? He said he remembered his “why” to stay dedicated to the journey. Also, surrounding himself with like-minded people or those who needed advice about fitness kept his motivation up.
The best things that came from Mitch’s journey to beat diabetes and save his life
He says that looking better and feeling more confident were obvious changes he noticed on his journey. Most importantly, though, knowing that he added years to his life made it all worth it.
“I went from a class of being morbid to anything is possible now, and I love that.”
Along with improving his own life, Mitch also made a positive impact on his children. His influence and example will hopefully lead them to make healthy choices for themselves in the future.
“Also, I have young children, and them getting to see fitness and health being an important part of the process of life is amazing.”
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Mitch says that although it takes incredible dedication and willpower to stick with the process, he truly enjoys it. It gave him another chance at life and an opportunity to teach his kids an important lesson. He still faces obstacles but feels more capable of overcoming them now that he knows his own strength.
“I was in my mid-thirties. I lived 30 something years hating myself, and not every day is easy still, but I’m going to tell you this – there’s a different level of hard. What I do is intense, and it’s hard, but you have to choose your hard. I’d do this all over again, any day – it’s definitely the right choice.”
Mitch wants others out there who struggle with self-image or motivation to know that they have options. Life is all about choices, and doing the right thing isn’t always easy. However, it could give you a life better than you ever imagined and help you realize your inner power.
“You’re worth it, and you deserve the effort. It’s never too late to change,” Mitch says.
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Statistics on diabetes
According to the American Diabetes Association, diabetes was the seventh leading cause of death in the U.S. in 2017. Many of these deaths could’ve been prevented by making lifestyle changes or adjusting medications. Unfortunately, diabetes diagnoses seem only to be increasing with each passing year.
- Prevalence: In 2018, 34.2 million Americans, or 10.5% of the population, had diabetes.
- Nearly 1.6 million Americans have type 1 diabetes, including about 187,000 children and adolescents.
- Undiagnosed: Of the 34.2 million adults with diabetes, 26.8 million were diagnosed, and 7.3 million were undiagnosed.
- New cases: 1.5 million Americans are diagnosed with diabetes every year.
- Prediabetes: In 2015, 88 million Americans age 18 and older had prediabetes. This means they had higher than normal blood sugar, and without making changes, will likely develop diabetes.
Other ways to beat diabetes
Fortunately, most people (unless you have type 1 diabetes) can reverse this condition naturally. While they may still need medication, certain lifestyle changes can reduce symptoms of diabetes.
Here are a few things to keep in mind to beat diabetes:
- Consume healthy foods low in sugar. To maintain healthy blood sugar levels, you’ll want to eat mostly whole foods. Eat plenty of fiber, found in leafy greens and fruits like blackberries, apples, and pears. Beans and whole grains also have a lot of fiber. This helps keep you full and will aid in keeping your blood sugar balanced.
- Keep your stress low. High cortisol levels can disrupt blood sugar and make it more difficult for your body to regulate insulin. When you’re stressed, you also may be more likely to reach for sugary treats. Practice mindfulness or meditation to keep your blood sugar at healthy levels.
- Drink plenty of water. Water helps flush out excess sugar from your kidneys, so this is essential if you want to beat diabetes.
Final thoughts: one man lost over 200 pounds to beat diabetes and regain his health
Mitch Fuhlman knew he had a huge mountain to climb, but didn’t let that deter him. He stayed consistent, meeting his weight loss goals and reversing his diabetes in the process. He hopes his story will motivate others to improve their health and start feeling better.
It may seem difficult to beat diabetes on your own, but Mitch proves that it can be done. If you’d like to see another testimony about reversing diabetes naturally, read this woman’s incredible story.
