Ros, 66 an incredibly loved swim teacher didn’t know she had Type 2 Diabetes. It was only after she was hospitalised with pneumonia and rhinovirus and while in hospital she was told that she was also suffering from Type 2 Diabetes.
After being told about the Diabetes First Program by Phoenix Health Fund, Ros has made some incredible changes that she says will stay with her for life.
- Ros said that the changes that she has made to her health were “unbelievable”
- Ros said that the clinical and nurse support provided weekly throughout the program was the number one thing that helped motivate her to improve her health and continue the change
- She has dropped two dress sizes and is now focussed more than ever to continue improving her health
- She loved using the Dexcom G6 continuous glucose monitor which enabled her to monitor her sugar levels in real time and showed her just why she’ll be steering away from watermelon
- Ros has dropped 5.4kgs in her overall weight, reduced her body fat by 2.9% and lowered her visceral fat by 1.5 all while increasing her muscle
- Her absolute favourite meal on the program was the Spaghetti Bolognaise which was delivered to her by Lite n Easy
Ros, 66, an incredibly devoted mother, grandmother and experienced swim teacher from Biggera Waters on the Gold Coast in Queensland had no idea that she was living with Type 2 Diabetes. As a swim teacher and working five days a week she was active spending hours in the water given the nature of her work.
Pictured: The fabulous Ros, 66 from Biggera Waters at the Gold Coast, Queensland on holidays exploring in Bali 10 months before she started the Diabetes First Program.
In about mid 2024, Ros was admitted to hospital with pneumonia and rhinovirus. It was at this time and while she was in hospital that the doctor told her that she had Type 2 Diabetes. Ros was shocked and felt completely blind sighted when she found out. “The thought of diabetes scared me and I knew I had to do something,” Ros explained. When asked how she felt before she was diagnosed, she said that she always felt tired but didn’t think too much of it.
After being diagnosed in hospital, Ros’ treating GP referred her to see a local diabetes educator but as luck would have it when searching to find her contact details a thought sparked her to first contact her health fund, Phoenix Health, to check her level of cover.
While on the phone with Phoenix, the consultant told her about The Diabetes First Program delivered through The Doctor’s Kitchen Australia.
Phoenix Health Fund, is the first health fund in Australia to provide eligible members with the support they need to participate in the unique Diabetes First Program on a fully funded basis.
The Doctor’s Kitchen Diabetes First Program is a GP led and coordinated program managed through telehealth which can be extended to face to face based on locality.
The Doctor’s Kitchen Australia offers 3 levels of programs for individuals at risk of or suffering with Type 2 Diabetes:
Level 1: for individuals who are at risk of developing Type 2 diabetes;
Level 2: for individuals diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes without insulin;
Level 3: for individuals diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes using insulin.
After hearing about this program through Phoenix Health, Ros decided to hear more from The Doctor’s Kitchen Australia. “I thought to myself, I’ve got to change something, change my lifestyle somewhere”, Ros said.
As a recently diagnosed Type 2 diabetic managed with medication, Ros was given more information about the Level 2 program. The intensive 12 week program includes a weekly consultation with either a doctor, dietitian, credentialled diabetes, nurse or clinical support team member.
As part of the program, individuals receive a Dexcom G6 continuous glucose monitors which provides real time glucose readings, ready to eat calorie and portion controlled meals delivered by Lite n Easy and body composition scales to help individuals monitor and track their progress and success. The Doctor’s Kitchen Australia believes that these real tools help in making the changes reproducible and sustainable.
“I was very negative about starting the program because I wasn’t convinced that I would follow through with it”. But, as Ros explained, the thought of diabetes concerned her and so she decided to give it a go. “I remembered how I felt in hospital – feeling shocked and almost angry at knowing about the diagnosis and knew I had to change”, Ros said.
Ros was sent her welcome pack which included the body composition scales and Dexcom G6 continuous glucose monitors which she wore for the full 12 weeks.
In February 2025, she had her initial consultation with the Doctor and her results from the body composition showed as follows:
|
BODY COMPOSITION MEASUREMENTS |
2 FEBRUARY 2025 – WEEK 1 |
|
Muscle Mass (kgs) |
48 |
|
Biological Age |
81 |
|
Weight (kgs) |
101 |
|
BMI Index |
41 |
|
Body Fat % |
49 |
|
Visceral Fat Rating |
16.5 |
|
Basal Metabolic Rate (calories per day) |
1608 |
|
Bone Mass (kgs) |
2.6 |
|
Body Water % |
38 |
Pictured: Ros’ biometric results taken by her from the Tanita BC545N body composition scales on 2 February 2025. These results are assessed against Tanita's Healthy Range Chart.
When asked about her goals on the program, Ros said that she had hoped to eat healthier, lose a few kilos and improve her condition of Type 2 Diabetes. The Doctor recommended that Ros limit her food intake to 1200 calories per day and to also follow the daily resistance training workout plan provided as part of the Program to help her maintain her muscle.
Ros also got to wear a continuous glucose monitor which enabled her to track her sugar levels in real time via an App the phone. “I was curious about it as I had seen people wearing them at my work and although I hate needles, I didn’t even feel it when I put it on”. Ros wore the CGM on her tummy so no one even knew and was completely amazed that she could see the foods and drinks that made her sugar levels spike. “I didn’t realise it goes up and down during the day – it’s amazing and I just never realised that before!”, Ros explained.
Pictured: The Dexcom G6 continuous glucose monitor used to help individuals on the Diabetes First Program monitor their blood glucose levels to understand the impact of what they are eating and their exercise on their levels.
Each week, Ros stepped on the body composition scales at her home and recorded her body measurements and entered them into the Doctor’s Health and Weight Tracker App. By doing this she was able to track her changes weekly to her overall weight, body fat percentage, visceral fat rating, basal metabolic rate (calories per day at rest), biological age, bone mass and muscle mass using the body composition scales. Ros said that since being on the program and using the scales, she learned more about her body composition especially visceral fat. “I didn’t even know about it [visceral fat] and even my friend who has been involved in weight loss programs before didn’t know what that was!”, Ros said.
Throughout each week of the program, Ros would check in with either a dietitian, credentialled diabetes educator, nurse or clinical team member to help educate and motivate her to continue her life change. Ros said that “I wouldn’t have continued on the program if it wasn’t for the support of nurse Georgie and the clinical team – they have been amazing!”.
Pictured: The wonderful and deeply experienced nurse Georgie Muller on the Diabetes First Program whose passion lies in helping others achieve their health goals for the betterment of their lives.
For the first four weeks of the Program, Ros also received delicious ready to eat calorie controlled diabetic friendly meals delivered by Lite n Easy. The meals are intended to be used as a short-term tool with professional guidance of the Doctor so individuals start to live, eat and experience portion controlled and nutritionally complete food every day.
Pictured: As part of the Diabetes First Program, individuals receive 4 weeks of delicious ready to eat calorie and portion controlled meals which are diabetic friendly from Lite n Easy based on the calorie intake recommended to them by the Doctor.
For the first two weeks, Lite n Easy delivered 5 days of breakfast, lunch and dinner at 1200 calories. On the days that she didn’t have the meals, she would put into practice what she had been eating and trying to replicate the types of healthy food ideas that she had been eating on the days before. On the third week, Ros received lunch and dinner for 5 days and had to make up breakfast on her own while still sticking to the 1200 calories. The last week, there was 5 days of dinners with Ros creating her own breakfast and lunch meals.
Ros’ favourite dinner meal was Lite n Easy’s Spaghetti Bolognese. She also loved the Pesto Fettuccine and the rissoles. When asked what she had learned she said, “I have definitely learned more about appropriate portion sizes of food for me”. She also said that she has also made changes to the types of foods that she eats. “I’ve changed my bread and now better understand what fruits a better for me – I thought raspberries were good but it turns out that they made my sugar spike”, Ros explained.
Pictured: One of Ros’ favourite dinner meals pictured in the bottom left hand corner: Spaghetti Bolognaise which is an al dente spaghetti in a rich, home-style beef bolognaise sauce, topped with grated parmesan cheese and 378 calories per serve.
Prior to starting the Diabetes First Program, Ros enjoyed watermelon and had considered it a healthy fruit. However, after she realised just how much it spiked her sugar levels with the continuous glucose monitor she has since cut it out. “After seeing my sugar go bing – I thought wow, that’s unbelievable, no more watermelon! Ros has also cut out snake lollies and a few other things in her effort to change her habits for good. Ros says that she is now more carefully reading the labels of foods and the sugar contents now – a thing that she has never done before.
By about week 6, Ros started to see and feel some changes. At this time, she had lost about 3.1kgs and could see her body fat percentage also beginning to drop as well as her visceral fat – which is the fat located deep within the abdominal cavity, surrounding vital organs like the liver, stomach, and intestines. It's difference from subcutaneous fat, which lies beneath the skin. While a small amount of visceral fat is healthy, excessive amounts can increase the risk of health problems like heart disease and Type 2 Diabetes. Ros was excited about these changes which motivated her to keep going.
At Ros’ final check in with the Doctor at week 12, Ros’ results from the body composition were recorded as follows:
|
BIOMETRICS |
2/02/25 |
27/04/25 |
DIFFERENCE |
|
Muscle Mass (kgs) |
48 |
49 |
+1kgs |
|
Biological Age |
81 |
81 |
0 |
|
Weight (kgs) |
101 |
95.6 |
5.4kgs |
|
BMI Index |
41 |
38.8 |
2.2 |
|
Body Fat % |
49 |
46.1 |
2.9% |
|
Visceral Fat Rating |
16.5 |
15 |
1.5 |
|
Metabolic Rate |
1608 |
1590 |
-18 |
|
Bone Mass (kgs) |
2.6 |
2.6 |
No change |
|
Body Water % |
38 |
39.9 |
Maintained Hydration |
Ros’s incredible transformation to her health showed the following impressive changes:
- increased muscle mass from 48kgs to 49 kgs (being an average level of muscle)
- reduction in her overall weight by 5.4kgs
- reduction in her BMI by 2.2 (from 41 to 38.8)
- reduction in her body fat percentage by 2.9% from 49% to 46.1% (to a healthier level)
- reduction in her visceral fat rating by 1.5 (to a healthier level)
- slight reduction in her daily Basal Metabolic Rate by only 18 calories per day (from 1608 to 1590 calories per day) despite her 5.4kgs overall weight loss (which is on its own incredible)
- maintained her bone mass throughout the entire course of the program at 2.6kgs
Pictured: Ros 12 weeks after completing the Diabetes First Program looking and feeling even more fabulous than she did before and pictured with her ever loyal dog Teddy
Unlike ordinary scales that record only body weight, the Doctor's Kitchen Diabetes First Program incorporates body composition scales which provides additional data such as body fat, abdominal fat, muscle mass and basal metabolic rate (BMR) (the number of calories your body burns at rest). New research has found that these are the numbers that matter and can be the key to losing weight and keeping it off.
Even more impressive than her body composition changes, were Ros’ reduction in her average glucose levels and glycemic variability (GV) – which refers to swings in blood glucose levels over time. GV reveals the extent to which blood glucose levels fluctuate which can impact health outcomes. The lower the GV, the less risk that individuals have for complications, diabetic neuropathy and cognitive impairment.
When Ros first commenced the Program, her average glucose levels were recorded at 10.1. Over the 12 weeks that she wore the CGM while on the Program she reduced her glucose levels and her average reading as at the last date is recorded at 8.7 (Monday, 28 April 2025). Effective blood sugar management can reduce the risk of eye disease, kidney disease and nerve disease.
Also, the standard deviation of Ros’ GV was recorded at 2.1 in week 1. Her continuous glucose monitor reports show that throughout the program Ros was able to reduce her GV and the last day her CV was recorded at 1.2 (Monday, 28 April 2025). This is almost half from when she from first started.
Ros was ecstatic with the results she has been able to achieve in just 12 weeks. When asked how she felt, she said that it was “unbelievable as it felt easy”. “I owe it all to the support that I have received from the team who kept motivating me along the way”, she said.
When Ros reflected on where she was more than 12 weeks ago she said that she so thankful to have started the Program. “Looking back, I was clearly at the point where I didn’t care so that’s where I was probably spiralling downhill”, she said.
In addition to her incredible health changes, Ros has invested in a few new fabulous dresses after dropping down two dress sizes and 5.4kgs in overall weight. “Loads of people are noticing my changes and how different I look”, Ros explained. After meeting up with a friend recently who reminded her that she was often complaining of feeling tired, she now realises that she was right.
Now, Ros feels less tired than she did before she started the Program and said that her energy levels have come right up. Ros cares for her beautiful little dog named Teddy. “Even when I walked Teddy this morning I was very close to doing a light jog as I was walking faster than I normally do – I then realised just how far I’ve come in my own self – thanks to your incredible support”, Ros explained.
Pictured: From left to right: Ros with Natalia from the Doctor’s Kitchen Australia celebrating together the health changes that Ros has been able to achieve on the Diabetes First Program thanks to Phoenix Health Fund.
Ros is excited for her next visit to her local treating GP to share her incredible health changes. “I know that he is going to be just thrilled with my results and I am going to keep going on this journey to improving my health”, she said.
Ros’ story stands as proof that with the right tools, guidance, and support, people living with Type 2 Diabetes can make meaningful, lasting changes to their health. This is a testament to the incredible support that Phoenix health Fund provides to its members who are eligible for this Program. Through Ros’ commitment, access to the right resources, and a supportive environment, Ros was able to better manage her health and transform her well-being. Her journey is a testament to what’s possible when individuals are empowered with the knowledge and help they need—not just to manage type 2 diabetes, but to thrive in spite of it.
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.