Practo Where life everyday poses significant challenges for a person with diabetes, Practo Transform stands as the guiding light of hope and determination, leading them towards optimism and purpose. Read more to know about its impact.
In life’s unpredictable journey, hope becomes our guiding light, fueling our unwavering determination to overcome challenges. Diabetes, a challenge affecting the lives of 101 million Indians, is one such challenge that needs to be conquered.
Globally, a growing body of evidence indicates that individuals can attain diabetes remission, i.e., the restoration of blood sugars to normal levels without the need for medications. This transformative outcome is increasingly associated with the adoption of positive and healthy dietary changes, physical activity, and resultant weight loss.
Transform by Practo is one such program that has so far helped thousands of patients alleviate their diabetes burden. This is a 6-month program developed in collaboration with medical experts from the NHS, U.K., and adapted for the Indian population based on evidence from the DIRECT trial. Transform integrates technology and a multidisciplinary team (MDT) approach to foster lasting changes in habits and behaviours.
“I joined Transform as the last resort, after experiencing severe renal failure,” said 54-year-old Arvind who had joined Transform after his HbA1C levels had shot up to 12.5, while blood sugar levels were approaching 400 despite taking insulin four times a day.
Arvind’s journey reflects the saying that troubles don’t arrive alone; they often come in pairs. Just when he was grappling with the challenges of diabetes, his wife was simultaneously battling cancer. This was an incredibly trying period where to take care of his wife, Arvind had to prioritise his health.
Amidst this critical situation, Arvind made the life-changing decision to join Practo Transform. Initially, adapting to new lifestyle changes, and especially portion control was a significant challenge for him. Reflecting on that period, Arvind shared, “The situation was distressing. I wasn’t keen on constant monitoring, and following a consistent diet became tiresome. But Practo Transform breathed new life into me, gradually reduced my medication and insulin dosages, introduced vital changes to my lifestyle habits, and rekindled my hope for a better life.”
Arvind’s motivation soared as he witnessed a remarkable drop in his blood sugar levels, with his HbA1C falling to 6.8. He expressed, “Words can’t capture the excitement I felt at that moment. It was the turning point that drove me to take up walking, and now I’ve incorporated morning and evening walks into my daily schedule. I feel remarkably active, and the sensation is truly incredible.”
For Arvind, staying fit wasn’t just a personal goal rather a necessity to be the support system for his wife. While Arvind’s inspiring journey of battling diabetes was intricately woven with the commitment to be the anchor his wife could lean on, 32-year-old Sonakshi’s perception of diabetes was a merger of alarm mixed with fear.
“My mother was a diabetic patient, and I have witnessed her suffering. So, when I started experiencing constant fatigue, and hair loss, the symptoms served as a red flag, and post getting done with a full-body check-up, my HBA1c levels revealed a significant spike of around 13.1,” she said.
Sonakshi’s perception of diabetes was still shrouded by the idea of thriving on boring, sugar-free food. Thus, in the search for an alternative she joined Transform, and she realised that this was her life’s turning point.
Through Transform, Sonakshi started her journey of defeating diabetes through prescribed workouts, a proper diet, reduced metformin dosages, and managed to reduce her HbA1C to 7.8.
Besides, Transform shattered her misconceptions that Diabetes means limiting food choices.
She explained “I passionately followed the workout routines and lifestyle changes prescribed by Transform as I wanted to embrace a healthy lifestyle and strived hard to work towards it. With time, portion control became easier, and I started growing fond of customised diets for balanced meals. I discovered a world of healthier options, started relishing green vegetables, and could even satisfy my sugar cravings with Stevia chocolates. Mindful lifestyle choices, portion control, and dietary adjustments have effectively managed diabetes.”
The most rewarding aspect of Sonakshi’s journey was witnessing her family’s happiness and satisfaction. Practo Transform not only impacted Sonakshi’s life but also inspired her family to adopt a medication-free, healthy lifestyle. Today, her life has been filled with newfound positivity, away from the fear of getting under the clutches of diabetes again.
While Practo Transform might be an effective way to bring hope back into the lives of those who need it, we cannot ignore the challenges that come with it. For instance, Transform’s diabetes remission program places a lot of reliance on embracing positive lifestyle changes, incorporating beneficial exercises, and adopting personalised diet plans. While these adjustments significantly benefit the patient, adapting to new dietary habits can be a collective effort for the family.
Reflecting on the same, Dr. Hema Venkataraman, Medical Advisor, Practo Transform, and Consultant Endocrinologist at University Hospitals Birmingham, NHS, UK, added, “I see TRANSFORM as a health behaviour change program, not simply a 6 month “diet plan” intervention and like with all behaviour changes it comes with its challenges. It is therefore vital that all stakeholders in this process, the person with diabetes, their family, the person cooking meals, the dietician and the doctors collaborate to jointly set realistic goals for a sustainable change, and have their channels of communication open throughout the period of transformation. TRANSFORM with its MDT approach and daily feedback on patient progress on whatsapp achieves just that.”
Navigating complications is common on the journey to reach the zenith. However, for 40-year-old Navdeep Tanwar, it became a “now or never” situation, prompting his decision to join Transform.
He explained “Facing the reality of a diabetic foot operation left me in a state of shock. Balancing a job that involves constant travel, along with the responsibilities of caring for my kids, made it clear that it was high time to seek an effective solution for my diabetes.”
Navdeep embarked on his Transform journey in late October last year, and the remarkable part? He bid farewell to insulin within the first 15 days, a significant feat considering he used to take it thrice a day. While the initial days posed their challenges, adjusting to new lifestyle patterns and dietary habits, Navdeep seamlessly embraced the program within a month.
He explained, “Balancing a job that takes me across the globe and my local commitments has taken a toll on my food habits. The introduction of a balanced diet through Transform was a game-changer. Now, when in the city, I prioritise my health and make sure to carry my food from home that strikes the perfect balance of protein, fibres, and carbs.”
With Transform, Navdeep lost almost 25kgs while his HbA1C levels dropped from 9.6 to 6.8. Thus, there was no looking back for Navdeep, as he recognised the potency of lifestyle changes and mindful eating, amplifying the holistic impact of his health journey.
Arvind’s compulsion, Navdeep’s determination, and Sonakshi’s fear ultimately made way for a newfound hope. These stories highlight the power of change through personalised and scientific programs like Practo Transform, inspiring confidence in pursuing diabetes remission despite significant challenges.