Bruce, 51, from Pakenham, Victoria, who was diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes lost over 12kgs on the Diabetes First Program but was initially sceptical

Bruce also applied the Dexcom G6 continuous glucose monitor (Dexcom G6 CGM) to his body which he wore for the full four weeks of the Program. When he first applied the Dexcom G6 CGM, it showed that his average glucose levels was 6.8 (on Tuesday, 10 December 2024). “With the help of the Dexcom glucose monitor, I could see in real time on my phone how different foods affected my blood sugar,” Bruce said.

For the first four weeks of the Program, Lite n Easy also delivered delicious ready-made meals to Bruce which were calorie controlled to 1500 calories per day for 5 days per week. Bruce looked forward to his meals and knowing that they were planned and healthy meant that he wasn’t reaching for a quick unhealthy hunger fix. Bruce said that he loved “anything with mushrooms”. On the remaining two days, Bruce took the reins in his own kitchen, and prepared his own meals while sticking to the recommended calorie intake provide he was already taking ownership of his journey to better health.

Pictured: Roast Chicken Breast in Mushroom Sauce featuring tender roasted chicken breast in creamy mushroom sauce, served with seasoned potato and farm fresh vegetables and just 349 calories. One of Bruce’s many ready made meals delivered by Lite n Easy on the Diabetes First Program.

Each week, Bruce stood on the body composition scales at home at about the same time and day, keeping a consistent routine to track his progress. He recorded his results including key measurements like muscle mass, body fat percentage, visceral fat and BMI using the Doctor’s Health & Weight Tracker App. This data gave Bruce a much deeper insight into the real changes happening beneath the surface not just in terms of weight, but in his overall health. It also showed where the changes were coming from – was the weight coming from fat? Was muscle being maintained? This insight helped Bruce understand the quality of his progress in order to make his changes sustainable. “And when it came time to make sense of it all, the Doctor’s Kitchen team was there to support me. They didn’t just give me results - they gave me guidance, understanding, and the kind of encouragement that made me believe that I can continue to change,” Bruce explained.

Studies show that reducing body fat, even without dramatic overall weight loss, can help improve blood sugar control to help individuals become healthier, not just lighter.

Bruce also committed to following the daily resistance training program at home. This program forms an essential part of maintaining muscle mass while in a calorie deficit. Even at home, Bruce found creative ways to incorporate the strength exercises - including by lifting his very adorable and loving cat!

Pictured: Bruce’s most adored companion, Diamond, who has also actively been a part of his journey on the Diabetes First Program!

Each week, Bruce would check in with either a dietitian, credentialled diabetes educator, nurse or clinical team member to help educate and motivate him to continue his life change.

As the kilos came off and Bruce’s vital stats started to shift, so too did Bruce’s mindset. “I began to understand how much certain foods affected my blood glucose levels and that even a small amount of movement can have lasting effects,” Bruce said.

By week 12, Bruce lost a staggering 6 kgs and reduced his BMI fat by 2 (from 43 to 41). At this point, he felt that his attitude towards food and exercise began to change. “I started thinking about long-term goals, about living a healthier, more active life and not just about losing weight,” Bruce explained.

His measurements at week 12, were recorded as follows:

Given Bruce’s incredible progress at week 12, Phoenix Health Fund offered Bruce a second opportunity to participate in another round of the Program. This was an opportunity for Bruce to continue to improve his health and his condition, build on the successes he had already achieved and continue to cement the positive habits that were becoming part of his daily life.

By the end of second round of the Program, Bruce had lost over 12kgs, bringing him down to around 138kg even with the occasional eating setback. However, it wasn’t just his weight that he had changed - it was his habits and his life.

At the end of 24 weeks, here are his final measurements:

Remarkably, Bruce’s notable transformation shows that he:

• dropped his muscle mass from 95kgs to 88 kgs (however, still retained a high level of muscle and this loss is proportional to the overall body weight loss)
• dropped his overall weight by 12kgs (from 149kgs to 137kgs)
• reduced his BMI by 5 (from 43 to 38)
• dropped his visceral fat rating by 1 (to a healthier level)
• reduced his daily Basal Metabolic Rate by only 153 calories per day (from 3120 to 2979 calories per day) despite losing over 12kgs (which is a marginal reduction and on its own incredible)
• maintained his bone mass throughout the entire course of the program at 5kgs
• body water remained comparable during the course of the program (hydrated)

Also, over the period of time that Bruce used the Dexcom G6 CGM and while restricting his calories at 1500 calories per day and performing the resistance training exercises he was able to see reductions to his average glucose levels.

The CGM data also shows that when Bruce commenced the Program in December 2024, the standard deviation of his glycemic variability (GV) was recorded at 1. The data shows that during the course of the Program, in many instances he was able to reduce his GV to below 1 and the last day of the CGM recorded their variability at 1. Studies show that the lower the GV, the less risk that patients have for complications, diabetic neuropathy and cognitive impairment.

Bruce lost over 12kg, bringing him down to around 138kg—even with the occasional emotional eating setback. He feels healthier but knows he has a long way to go.

Bruce has shared with us that he’s also now got exercise stations set up around the house. And, for the first time in a long time, fruit and vegetables are being eaten, not left to wilt in the fridge!

From using the Dexcom G6 CGM Bruce learned the patterns of lows and highs around consuming food. He said that he will no longer eat most breakfast cereals. Instead, he now has a low GI muesli and healthy yoghurt mixed together for breakfast.

Bruce doesn’t believe that he could have achieved his remarkable changes to his health without the support given as part of the Program. “I had become comfortable in my inactive lifestyle and had some very set food patterns”, Bruce shared.

But, Bruce said that it was the motivational support provided by Nurse Georgie and the clinical team that was “incredible”. What kept him going was “not wanting to disappoint everyone at The Doctor’s Kitchen,” and “knowing that I was achieving the targets I had set for myself. I was building a new attitude toward food and my health,” he stated.

When Bruce was asked how this Program was different to others he had tried, he said that “They didn’t just focus on the numbers, they focused on me,” he said. “This program has changed my life – I have not just lost weight but I have been given the tools to build a much better future”.

Bruce’s next big goal, he said (no doubt with a smile!) was “to bounce on a trampoline”. And, the Doctor’s Kitchen Australia has every confidence that Bruce will achieve this tremendous goal!

Bruce’s story is one of determination, of showing up for yourself even when you’re not sure it’ll work, and of discovering that when you’re surrounded by the right support and tools change is possible.

“If you ever get the chance to work with the fabulous team at The Doctor’s Kitchen, be prepared,” Bruce says. “They’re the nicest, bubbliest, most knowledgeable health transformers in the world. And they just might change your life.”

If you are at risk of type 2 diabetes, have been diagnosed, or are simply interested in learning more, please visit thedoctorskitchen.com.au for more information about the Doctor’s Kitchen Australia’s Diabetes First Program.