'My mind-set has totally changed for the better and I get so many compliments!' How THIS diet plan helped one woman lose over 10kg (AND how she reversed her Type 2 diabetes!)

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If the coronavirus pandemic has taught us anything, it's how important it is we do everything in our power to look after our health and wellbeing.  

As well as making you more vulnerable to poor outcomes if you catch Covid-19*, conditions such as diabetes and being overweight can have a devastating impact on long-term physical and mental health. 

Like many of us, grandmother-of-four Bev Iceton, 57, was desperate to lose weight - especially after being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes after a routine blood test in October 2018 - but had no idea where to start. 

After searching online she found a diabetic study in her local area, which introduced her to meal replacements. 

From here she discovered exante which offers a very low calories diet plan (exante 800), that provides simple and convenient weight loss, with sustainable results through the use of tasty meal replacement products. 

Exante products are high in fibre and protein and are packed with 27 vitamins and minerals, meaning you don't miss out on the vital nutrients that are so important for a healthy lifestyle. There's something for everyone with exante's expanding range of products, currently featuring 72 different flavours. 

Since she began following the programme (800 calories a day for 12 weeks) using exante shakes and soups, not only has Bev dropped over 10kg (1st 5lb), but her Type 2 diabetes is now in remission.

Ahead of World Diabetes Day on November 14, here we reveal how Bev managed to shed the pounds - and how the exante meal plan could work for you too. 

'People say I've got my sparkle back'

Grandmother-of-four Bev Iceton, 57, was desperate to lose weight - especially after she was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes in October 2018 (pictured left). Pictured left before and right after her 'life-changing' exante journey

exante offers a two-week diet plan deal (pictured) containing 42 bestselling meal replacements for £39.99 - working out at just £2.85 a day - or a four week option containing 84 for £69.99 (£2.50 a day)

When office administrator and farmer Bev received the shocking news that she had Type 2 diabetes after a routine blood test at the doctor's, she admitted she was 'absolutely devastated'.

'I was prescribed medication for the condition and felt that there were no treatment options for me other than to be on meds for the rest of my life,' she recalled.

'The older you get, the weight slowly piles on and you don't realise, and then you get this diagnosis and it's a bit of a wake-up call.' 

Weighing 12st 6lb (80kg) at the time, mother of two Bev wasn't your typical type 2 candidate, but began cutting down on sweet treats like cakes and biscuits in a desperate effort to lose weight. 

Bev invested in some nice glasses to drink her shakes from - her favourite being the Lemon Cheesecake Smoothie - and blended them with ice to enjoy them super chilled. She maintained her portion control using scales and plastic containers and kept hunger pangs at bay by drinking plenty of water

Bev said she now gets so many compliments from her husband and friends and her lifestyle has completely changed

Bev enjoyed the exante Meal Replacement Shakes like Banana flavour (left) and Berries & Cherries (right)

While researching treatment options for Type 2 diabetes, Bev came across a study in Newcastle, run by Professor Roy Taylor to investigate whether weight loss can put the condition into remission.

With a BMI of 26.4, which is classed as overweight, Bev was a prime candidate for the low calorie diet study and shortly afterwards she started the 12 week total diet replacement programme.

This involved having three low calorie shakes or soups a day, plus extra vegetables to ensure a healthy balanced approach. 

Bev invested in some nice glasses to drink her shakes from - her favourite being the Lemon Cheesecake Smoothie - and blended them with ice to enjoy them chilled. 

She maintained her portion control using scales and plastic containers and kept hunger pangs at bay by drinking plenty of water.

'It was so simple to do,' Bev said. 'I found prepping all my food for the day in the morning really useful, and I would try different vegetables that I wouldn't normally eat to mix things up and keep my taste buds interested. 

'Oh, and plenty of food containers and good scales were a godsend!'  

Since following the low calorie diet programme, Bev said her mindset has totally changed for the better.

'I look at food differently now,' she said. 'My shopping habits are far healthier and when I eat out, I'll go for a healthier option and skip dessert – except for the occasional treat! The programme has taught me moderation.'

Bev's husband Brian, 56, has also lost 1st 5oz (10kg) and the pair are thoroughly enjoying living healthier lives together.

'My goal for the first eight weeks of the low calorie diet was to lose five per cent of my body weight – which I achieved in six weeks – and in total I've lost over 10kgs, my Type 2 diabetes is now in remission and I no longer have to take any medication. I am over the moon,' Bev said.

'I get so many compliments from my husband, my friends and family about how good I look. 

'My skin is clearer and people say I've got my sparkle back – I didn't realise that I'd lost it, but now I see that I definitely had.

'I can honestly say that the low calorie diet programme changed my life for the better.' 

Bev is just one of many people from across the UK and beyond who have lost weight following exante's diet plans... 

John, 41, has lost an incredible 4st 2lbs so far on his exante journey, going from 16st 3lbs to just over 12st. His BMI has also dropped from 35.6 to a much healthier 26.

Not only that, since he began following the meal replacement diet plan - starting out with the 2 Week Diet Box - he is confident his Type 2 diabetes is now in remission.

John was diagnosed with the condition in March 2019, and told it had worsened in November 2019. 

Not only does John look and feel like a new man since following exante 800 (pictured left before and right now), John's diabetes is now under control

Two months later a doctor informed him he needed to start taking medication for high blood pressure and high cholesterol - which is when he decided to take action.

While browsing weight loss diets online, he came across exante 800 and decided to give it a try in January. 

'I needed a really simple diet that wasn’t too complicated,' he admitted, adding that he took a particular shine to the exante meal replacement cinnamon porridge, chocolate shakes and lemon bar.

Not only does he look and feel like a new man, John's diabetes is now under control; his most recent test appointment was cancelled due to Covid-19, however his last one showed his levels had dropped drastically.

While following the exante 800 plan, John took a particular shine to the meal replacement chocolate shakes, cinnamon porridge and tasty bars

His blood pressure and cholesterol readings are also back in healthy ranges with no need for any kind of medication.

John advised taking time to read up on diabetes and the impact it can have on your life.  

'Take it seriously but at the same time, don't panic,' he said. 'Combating diabetes is more than just dieting. It's a change of lifestyle. Start exercising regularly if possible and look into a low carb diet.' 

In all cases exante recommends talking to a doctor or medical practitioner before following one of its plans. For full T&C's please visit the website.   

*Information supplied by the NHS