John, 70, from the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes after a routine blood test — on the 12 week Diabetes First Program brought his average glucose out of the diabetic range and his HbA1c down to 5.9%

John was 70, not overweight, and considered himself to be in good health. A routine annual blood test in late 2025 told him otherwise.

The diagnosis of Type 2 diabetes came as a shock. Both his mother and his sister had become diabetic in older age, and so John knew that this was a risk.

Rather than wait and watch, John intervened and started the Diabetes First Program supported by Phoenix Health Fund.

Today, his average glucose is out of the diabetic range, his HbA1c is approaching normal, he is lifting nearly three times the weight he started with, and he and his wife Sue are planning to embark in greater travels around the world; which shows the benefits of better managing your health helps.

After 12 weeks on the Program, John was able to achieve the following remarkable changes to his health and composition:

• John dropped his average blood glucose by 1.4 mmol/L in the first 4 weeks, from 7.9 to 6.5 mmol/L, moving him out of the diabetes range and into the elevated range
• His glycaemic variability fell from 1.2 to 0.9, meaning steadier control through the day with fewer spikes
• He reduced his body fat by 4%, from 22% to 18%, and lowered his visceral fat rating by 2, from 12 to 10, moving him further into the healthy range
• He increased his muscle mass by 1kg, from 56kgs to 57kgs, maintaining a high level of muscle while losing fat
• He dropped his overall weight by 3kgs, from 76kgs to 73kgs
• His HbA1c has continued to fall — from 6.4% before the Program, to 6.1% in March 2026, to 5.9% in July 2026, approaching the normal range
• His biological age is 55 — fifteen years below his chronological age
• He progressed from lifting 1.5kg weights to 4kg across the Program.
• Real time continuous glucose monitoring showed him exactly which foods caused his glucose to spike, giving him the confidence to make more informed food choices to help him better manage his glucose

Determined to take control, John contacted Phoenix Health Fund, where he was introduced to the Doctor’s Kitchen Diabetes First Program.

Phoenix Health Fund uniquely and actively supports the health of their members at risk of or suffering from Type 2 Diabetes by offering the Diabetes First Program on a fully funded basis to eligible members.

Phoenix Health Fund is the first health fund in Australia to provide this unique support to eligible members, and as John’s story demonstrates, for all the right reasons.

The Program is designed to support any current Type 2 Diabetes care and includes:

• helping you understand your Type 2 Diabetes and the impacts of what you eat and drink on your glucose levels
• giving you real tools to help manage your condition including a real time continuous glucose monitor, body composition scales and calorie controlled meals aiming to help reduce your blood glucose levels
• discussing the importance of nutrition and glucose levels
• helping keep you active and caring for yourself and your Type 2 Diabetes long-term

At time John enrolled, he had a HbA1c of 6.4%, the very top of the pre-diabetic range. A subsequent glucose tolerance test, however, returned a 2-hour reading of 12.5 mmol/L. A 2-hour reading at or above 11.1 mmol/L is diagnostic of diabetes, confirming that John was managing Type 2 diabetes, not simply at risk of it.

In January 2026, John commenced the Level 2 Program, which includes consultations with a credentialled diabetes educator as well as a dietitian, complemented by 4 weeks of real time continuous glucose monitoring and 12 weeks of body composition monitoring. He completed the 12 weeks in April 2026.

The Diabetes First Program is run over 12 weeks with appointments each week conducted via phone or video. The Level 2 Program starts with a welcome assessment with a Doctor’s Kitchen nurse to understand any health challenges as well as health and wellbeing goals. This is followed by 12 weeks of consultations with either a Doctor, dietitian, credentialled diabetes educator, nurse or clinical team member.

By having these weekly checkins, it enables the participants to stay motivated and deal with any issues that may arise to ensure they stay on a path to health improvement.

Pictured: The Dexcom continuous glucose monitor is used as part of the 12 week Diabetes First Program which provides real time glucose data allowing individuals to see their current levels at any time and helps with informed lifestyle choices as it shows how different factors such as food, activity and stress can affect glucose levels over time.

Where John started

When John first started the Program, his measurements from the Tanita body composition scales showed his biometrics as follows:

Pictured: As part of the 12 week program, individuals receive a set of body composition scales which provide an understanding of important biometrics like body fat %, muscle mass (kgs), visceral fat rating and basal metabolic rate and are used each week to help track progress and understand overall health. These scales are on loan for the duration of the program.

When John first applied his real time glucose monitor, his average blood glucose reading was 7.9 mmol/L — within the diabetes range — and the standard deviation of his glycaemic variability was 1.2.

Glycaemic variability refers to the fluctuations in blood glucose levels throughout the day, ranging from high peaks (high blood sugar, hyperglycaemia) to low troughs (low blood sugar, hypoglycaemia). It is a measure of blood sugar instability, and high variability is common in people with diabetes and is associated with an increased risk of health complications. So the lower the glycaemic variability, research suggests the less risk that patients have for complications like diabetic neuropathy and cognitive impairment.

John’s results after 12 weeks

For 12 weeks, John fully embraced the Program, sticking to what the clinical team had recommended, and the results he was able to achieve for his health and glucose levels were impressive.

After 12 weeks, his final measurements on the body composition scales showed:

Based on the difference in John’s changes, he managed to achieve the following:

• reduced his body fat percentage by 4%, from 22% to 18%
• dropped his visceral fat rating by 2, from 12 to 10, moving further into the healthy range
• increased his muscle mass by 1kg, from 56kgs to 57kgs, maintaining a high level of muscle
• dropped his overall weight by 3kgs, from 76kgs to 73kgs

Losing 3kgs while gaining 1kg of muscle is a meaningful result, and it is exactly what the Program is designed to achieve. The Diabetes First Program is focused on helping individuals make sustainable changes to their health by losing body fat and visceral fat (rather than overall weight) and maintaining muscle for long term health.

His glucose results over the 4 week continuous glucose monitoring window showed:

Glucose bands: Normal below 5.5 mmol/L · Elevated 5.5–6.9 mmol/L · Diabetes range 7.0 mmol/L and above. Glycaemic variability is the standard deviation of glucose readings — a lower figure means steadier control and fewer spikes.

In four weeks, John moved his average glucose out of the diabetes range altogether. Studies show that effective blood sugar management can reduce the risk of eye disease, kidney disease and nerve disease.

John’s HbA1c — before, during and after the Program

HbA1c is a laboratory blood test reflecting average glucose over the prior 2–3 months. An HbA1c of 6.5% or above indicates diabetes, 5.7–6.4% is the pre-diabetic range, and below 5.7% is the normal range.

John enrolled having a HbA1c of 6.4%, placing him at the top of the pre-diabetic range. Through the Program and in the months following, it has continued to fall, moving him toward the normal range below 5.7%.

The follow-up — July 2026

Two months after completing the Program, John received welcome news. A follow-up blood test with his regular GP showed his HbA1c had fallen to 5.9%, down from 6.4% before the Program began. The trajectory has continued in the right direction, reflecting both the Program’s interventional approach and John’s own commitment to sustaining the changes.

Throughout the Program John embraced lasting lifestyle changes, developing a much greater understanding of nutrition and making healthier food choices every day, guided by his real time continuous glucose monitoring. He now has a much better understanding of the types of food and portion sizes that are right for him, giving him the confidence to maintain these habits longer term.

His strength and fitness also improved significantly. He progressed from lifting 1.5kg weights when he started, to 2.5kg by the end of the Program, and is now at 4kg weights with multiple reps across a range of exercises, gains in both physical health and confidence.

The weekly support and encouragement from the nursing and clinical team kept him motivated, accountable and focused throughout his health improvement journey. And John has set himself a new target: to bring his HbA1c down further, to around 5.7%.

Why these changes matter

Losing body fat, especially visceral fat, offers health benefits for people with Type 2 diabetes. Studies show that visceral fat, which surrounds internal organs, contributes to insulin resistance, making it harder for the body to manage blood sugar levels. By reducing this type of fat, research shows that insulin sensitivity improves, which can lead to lower blood glucose and HbA1c levels.

Research also shows that shedding excess fat supports better cholesterol and blood pressure levels, and that even a modest 5–7% of fat loss can lead to measurable improvements, making fat loss a key strategy in managing Type 2 diabetes.

Maintaining and building muscle matters just as much, particularly later in life. John’s 1kg gain in muscle mass, achieved alongside 3kgs of weight loss, is the kind of change that supports glucose control, strength and independence for years to come.

Ready to start your own journey?

John’s story is a powerful reminder that with the right interventional support, effective tools and a commitment to change, it is possible to transform your health and reduce your diabetes risk. Supported every step of the way by his wife Sue, John now looks forward to travelling the world with renewed health and energy.

This is a testament to the support that Phoenix Health Fund provides to its members who are eligible for this Program, and also to the commitment that individuals put into making changes to their health and life.