Zorica, 60, from Victoria, dropped 5.4% in body fat and reduced her blood glucose level on the 12 week Diabetes First Program supported by Phoenix Health Fund

This is a story of Zorica’s personal journey on the Diabetes First Program that is set to inspire you to commit to your health. 

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

• Zorica reduced her body fat percentage by 5.4% from 48.7% to 43.3% (to a healthier level) and her visceral fat rating by 2 (to a healthier level)
• She dropped her overall weight by 3.6kgs while increasing her muscle mass by 2.3kgs from 42kgs to 44.3 kgs (being an average level of muscle)
• She reduced her BMI by 1.2 (from 32.1 to 30.9) and increased her daily Basal Metabolic Rate by 19 calories per day (from 1385 to 1404 calories per day)
• She dropped her blood glucose level from 7.2 to 6.1 in the first 4 weeks
• She says that the Diabetes First Program has helped her feel so much better and energetic 
• the real time continuous glucose monitor showed her which meals cause her sugar to spike and has since made changes to her eating habits to prevent this from happening 
• Zorica highly recommends the Program to others and says that the support provided was the best part of the Program

Four years ago, Zorica was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. Like many, she was initially in shock. Before the diagnosis, she had been prediabetic but admits she hadn’t taken it seriously. It wasn’t until a follow-up blood test confirmed Type 2 diabetes and the reality set in when she was prescribed medication.

Determined to take control of her health, Zorica made changes right away. “I went on a very strict low-carb diet and lost heaps of weight over 10 months,” she says. While the rapid weight loss helped, she noticed it came at a cost: “Because I wasn’t doing any resistance training, my skin became very loose,” she explained.

Fast forward to this year, Zorica, aged 60, from Victoria decided it was time to do things differently. “I was tired all the time and had discomfort in my upper chest due to my gallbladder. I knew I needed help improving my health, so I rang Phoenix Health to see what they had to offer,” Zorica stated.

That initial phone call led her to the Doctors Kitchen Diabetes First Program, and from that point on, everything started to shift.

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 Zorica’s incredible story demonstrate 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
• gives 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
• discusses the importance of nutrition and glucose levels
• helps keep you active and caring for yourself and your Type 2 Diabetes long-term

After a few informative phone calls from the Doctors Kitchen Australia team, Zorica was convinced. “They explained the program clearly. I had nothing to lose, so I signed up. My main goal was to improve my overall health, especially my fatty liver.”

Based on Zorica’s diagnosis and condition, she began the Level 2 Program which includes a consultation with credentialled diabetes as well as a dietitian and complemented by 4 weeks of real time continuous glucose monitoring, 4 weeks of calorie controlled meals through Lite n Easy and 12 weeks of body composition monitoring.

Pictured: The Dexcom continuous glucose monitor is used as part of the 12 week Diabetes 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, stress can affect glucose levels over time. 

The Diabetes First Program is run over 12 weeks with appointments each week conducted via the 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.

Pictured: the wonderful nurse, Georgie, who was instrumental in helping Zorica achieve the changes that she did to her composition and health during the 12 week Diabetes First Program. 

When Zorica first started the Program, her measurements from the Tanita BC545N body composition scales showed her 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 Zorica first applied her real time glucose monitor, her average blood glucose reading was 7.2 and the standard deviation of her glycemic variability was 2. Glycemic variability refers to the fluctuations in blood glucose levels throughout the day, ranging from high peaks (high blood sugar, hyperglycemia) to low troughs (low blood sugar, hypoglycemia). 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 glycemic variability, research suggests that the less risk that patients have for complications like diabetic neuropathy and cognitive impairment.

Following her Doctor’s consultation, Zorica was then recommended to start on 1200 calories per day. She was also required to follow the daily resistance training exercises using her own body weight and measure herself weekly on the body composition scales which were on loan to her for the duration of the program.

For 12 weeks, Zorica fully embraced the program, sticking to what the Doctor had recommended and the results that she has been able to achieve for her health and glucose levels were impressive.

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

Based on the difference in Zorica’s changes, she has managed to achieve the following impressive changes:

• increased her muscle mass by 2.3kgs from 42kgs to 44.3 kgs (being an average level of muscle)
• dropped her overall weight by 3.6kgs
• reduced her BMI by 1.2 (from 32.1 to 30.9)
• reduced ger body fat percentage by 5.4% from 48.7% to 43.3% (to a healthier level)
• dropped ger visceral fat rating by 2 (to a healthier level)
• increased ger daily Basal Metabolic Rate by 19 calories per day (from 1385 to 1404 calories per day)

Also, after 4 weeks of wearing the continuous glucose monitor while committing to the resistance training workout plan, Zorica’s average blood glucose reading dropped to 6.1 and her glycemic variability had reduced to 1.7. Studies show that effective blood sugar management can reduce the risk of eye disease, kidney disease and nerve disease.

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.

When asked how she feels, Zorica said, “I feel so much better now. I have more energy, and I found this program much easier to follow than what I did years ago.”

What stood out most for Zorica was the level of support she received. “The best part of the program was the support from everyone. That made the biggest difference. I also loved how easy it was to follow.”

She credits some of her success to the tools that came with the program, especially the Dexcom continuous glucose monitor. “The Dexcom sensor was amazing, pain-free and easy to use. It gave me real-time readings, which helped me understand how food was affecting my sugar levels. It really helped me regulate how and when I ate.”

The education around food with the help from the Doctor’s Kitchen dietitian also helped Zorica make smarter choices. “I learned not to have fruit with my meals because it caused sugar spikes. Now I have it later. I also noticed that potatoes spike my sugar the most, so I still have them, but in very small serves.”

Unlike the first time she lost weight quickly, this time Zorica took a more balanced approach,  and it paid off. “I haven’t lost as much weight this time, but I’m much happier because my skin hasn’t become loose like before. I feel much healthier and more energised overall.”

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.

Zorica says that even the tools like the body composition scales were easy to use. And the Lite n’ Easy meals made healthy eating simple and tasty. “My favourite meal was the Thai Red Chicken Curry which was so delicious!”, Zorica said.

Pictured: one of Zorica's favourite dinners delivered by Lite n Easy, the Thai Red Chicken Curry as part of the Diabetes First Program just 392 calories per serve. 

With renewed motivation and a much healthier lifestyle, Zorica is focused on continuing her progress. “My motivation has always been my health. This program has helped me so much. I hope to stick to what I’ve learned so my health can improve even more, ” Zorica explained.

Her message to other considering the Diabetes First Program? “I highly recommend this program to anyone with Type 2 diabetes. It’s helped me feel better, eat better, and take control of my health again. Thank you, Doctors Kitchen!” Zorica exclaimed.

Ready to start your own journey?

Zorica’s story stands as proof that with the right tools, guidance, and support, people living with Type 2 Diabetes can help make meaningful changes to health. This is a testament to the support that Phoenix health Fund provides to its members who are eligible for this Program and also the commitment that individuals put in making changes to their health and life.

If you are at risk of Type 2 Diabetes, have been diagnosed, the Doctor’s Kitchen Australia’s Diabetes First Program might be your next best step remembering that results will be different for each individual.