Paul is 55 years old and living with type 2 diabetes.

I was diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes nearly 20 years ago. I was very ill when I was first diagnosed and suffered recurrent episodes of severe stomach pain for the first 2 years, where I was hospitalised at least 3 times.

The stomach pain was never diagnosed but my diabetes was out of control and I was regularly recording sugar levels in the high twenties. I was eating like a horse but losing weight rapidly. I eventually saw a diabetes specialist nurse who recommended using insulin and I almost immediately began to get my diabetes under control. I now use 2 types of insulin and inject 4 times a day.

I was asked to go for a check-up just before Christmas and my Hba1c was 89 which is quite high. I was advised to adjust my insulin upwards to counteract this.

Then lockdown came along and I decided that I was going to try and use the time to get fit. I have worked out almost every day since, and the last time I had my blood checked I was told that I was no longer high risk but moderate risk.

This was all down to exercise. I’m now in the process of working with a Dietitian after a discussion with my diabetes specialist nurse who informed me that I needed to increase the levels of protein in my diet and reduce my carbs (which goes against everything I was told when I was first diagnosed).

I now feel much better in myself and tell anyone that, although very tough, high-intensity workouts have set me on a different path and I am definitely feeling the benefit.