How We Reversed Our Type 2 Diabetes in Just Two Weeks—No Medication, Full Success

muse

Aug 3

How We Reversed Our Type 2 Diabetes

Two weeks ago, we lived through one of the scariest health emergencies of our lives — a night that started like any other but ended up changing our approach to type 2 diabetes forever.

It began years ago, really, with symptoms my husband brushed off. But that night, he walked into the bedroom while I was asleep and said, “We need to go to the hospital.” Groggy and confused, I asked, “Why aren’t you resting? What’s wrong?”

“I think I have appendicitis,” he replied, clutching his side. I examined him, pressing where the pain was, and instantly knew — this wasn’t appendicitis. “Baby, I think it’s your gallbladder,” I told him. I’d warned him before that he had classic signs of gallstones and the supplements could help, but here we were. The pain on his face told me it was bad.

What happened next could fill a book, but you can read the full gallbladder story here: A Gallbladder, a Warning, and a Wake-Up Call.

At the hospital, they checked his blood sugar. To our shock, and judging by the nurses’ faces, theirs too — the meter read 386. I didn’t realize how dangerously high that was until I overheard one nurse whisper to another, “And he’s still walking and responsive?” The other nurse just shook her head.

It took nearly 24 hours to bring his blood sugar down enough for surgery. The diagnosis? A gangrenous gallbladder — yes, gangrene — caused by a severe bacterial infection. After antibiotics and a successful removal, we were visited by the hospital’s diabetes management team.

The educator came prepared with charts and explanations about why my husband “needed” to start on two common diabetes medications immediately. We knew these drugs well; my husband’s stepfather had taken them for life, and his health — and quality of life — had been miserable. I asked hard questions about side effects, including the most dangerous ones. The answer? The internet “overstates the risks,” and it was unlikely that anything serious would happen.

My husband and I exchanged a look. I told her we’d think about it. She was kind, helpful, and even gifted us a glucometer — for which I’m genuinely grateful.

But after careful thought, we decided to take a different path: to reverse his diabetes naturally, without medication. We filled the prescriptions ($17 total) but never opened them.

Two weeks later, the results speak for themselves:

Blood sugar two hours after lunch: 104
Fasting blood sugar this morning: 101
Energy, mood, and overall health — improving every single day

What are we doing to achieve these numbers in just two weeks? That’s exactly what I’m going to share here — step-by-step, so you can see what’s possible and decide your approach to managing or even reversing diabetes naturally.

Disclaimer: I’m not a doctor. This is our personal experience and not medical advice.

Why We Chose a Natural Approach to Reverse Type 2 Diabetes

We’re not against medication when it’s truly necessary — but for us, the potential side effects and our personal family history made us want to try lifestyle first. We also knew that early intervention is when lifestyle changes can make the biggest difference.

How Long Does It take to Heal

The time it takes to get type 2 diabetes into remission can vary a lot from person to person, depending on factors like:

How long you’ve had diabetes (newer diagnoses tend to respond faster).
Your initial blood sugar levels and A1C.
How aggressively you change diet, activity, and weight.
Your body’s insulin sensitivity and pancreatic function.

Typical timelines seen in research and clinical practice:

Rapid responders – Some people, especially those recently diagnosed, can see normal blood sugars within weeks after making significant dietary changes (e.g., low-carb or very low-calorie diets) combined with daily movement.
Moderate responders – For many, 3 to 6 months of consistent weight loss (often 10–15% of body weight) and improved lifestyle can bring A1C back into the non-diabetic range.
Longer-term responders – For those who’ve had diabetes for years, it may take 6–12 months or more to see sustained remission, and some may still require medications but at lower doses.

What “remission” means in medical terms:

A1C below 6.5% for at least 3 months without diabetes medications (Metformin sometimes excluded).
Fasting glucose consistently below 126 mg/dL.

Steps we’ve been doing religiously since we left the hospital

Step 1 – Stabilizing Blood Sugar with Food

Our New Meal Framework

We focused on low-carb, nutrient-dense meals:

Non-starchy vegetables
Enough quality proteins like eggs, chicken, fish.
Healthy fats from avocado, olive oil, nuts
No refined sugar, white flour, or sugary drinks
Six cups of greens per day. 3 cups of greens with each meal. Greens mean organic kale, Organic green mix, cucumbers, carrots, onions, and peppers.
Homemade dressing with L. reuteri yogurt. If you want to know how to make it and why you should include it in your diet, read my post here.

We also embraced satisfying, comforting recipes that fit into our plan. If you need inspiration, see 5 Low-Carb Comfort Meals.

Timing Our Meals

We stopped grazing and kept to a consistent meal schedule. This allowed his body to rest between meals and reduced blood sugar spikes. For more on how meal timing and stress interact, read The Cortisol-Insulin Connection.

His first meal of the day is at 11:30 AM, followed by a 30-minute, easy-paced walk to aid digestion and maintain steady blood sugar levels. Dinner is served around 5:00 PM, with no snacking between meals. If he does want something extra, it’s always eaten with the meal, never on its own.

Every plate has protein (8 ounces), cooked veggies, fresh salad (three cups), macadamia nuts, and a low-carb, sugar-free dessert. I assure you, a meal like that leaves him content, not hungry until the next meal.

Step 2 – Supporting the Gut for Blood Sugar Balance

Gut health is directly linked to metabolic health. We introduced L. reuteri yogurt, a probiotic that supports digestion, reduces inflammation, and may improve insulin sensitivity. Our dessert and salad dressing have reuteri yogurt.

For the deeper science behind the gut–brain link, read The Gut-Brain Stress Connection.

Step 3 – Daily Movement Without Stressing the Body

Why We Focused on Walking Instead of Intense Workouts

Gentle movement lowers blood sugar without spiking cortisol (your stress hormone). We walked after meals to help with glucose regulation.

High-intensity workouts can sometimes backfire if cortisol is already high. You can learn more about this in Why Cortisol Is Blocking Your Weight Loss.

Step 4 – Stress Reduction and Cortisol Control

We built a daily routine that supports relaxation:

Breathing exercises before bed
No late-night screen time
A consistent sleep schedule

Chronic stress can raise blood sugar as much as bad food can. See How to Lower Cortisol Naturally for more strategies.

Adding Supplements for Extra Support

We incorporated a few supplements, along with diet, exercise, and stress management, to assist healthy blood sugar. One of the key ones is *Berberine, which he takes once a day. We’ve paired it with other targeted nutrients to help improve insulin sensitivity, reduce inflammation, and protect overall metabolic health. If you want to see the full list, how each one works, and how to choose quality supplements, check out my post: The 7 Best Supplements to Help Reverse Type 2 Diabetes Naturally (And How to Choose Quality).

*This link is an affiliate link, which means I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase — at no extra cost to you. I only share products I personally use and love. 💛

Step 5 – Tracking and Adjusting

We used the glucometer every day. This helped us quickly adjust based on his body’s reactions to food. I track everything in a spreadsheet, testing his blood sugar at 9:00 AM while still fasting, then again two hours after his first meal and two hours after dinner. This helps me see exactly how his body responds to each meal I prepare, so I can make quick adjustments if something doesn’t work as expected.

And yes — there have been a few surprises along the way. You can read about one of those meal disasters here.

We celebrated small wins along the way — keeping motivation high.

Two Weeks Later – The Results

From 386 at the hospital to 101 fasting today — all without medication. His energy is up, his mood is better, and he feels in control of his health again.

Reversing type 2 diabetes isn’t just about cutting carbs or walking more — it’s about finding the fire inside you to fight for your health. Before the meal plans, before the glucose checks, there’s a single, life-changing moment when you decide: I’m doing this. The genuine change starts with that decision. I share that moment, and why it matters so much, in The Hardest Part of Reversing Type 2 Diabetes Isn’t the Diet—It’s the Decision to Start — because once your heart is in it, your body will follow.

Final Thoughts

We know this is just the beginning of our journey. There are still countless low-carb meals to try, sugar-free desserts to create, and new habits to strengthen. But the most important part? He’s committed to fighting for his life — and I’m deeply proud of him for that.

He still has plenty of road trips to plan for us, and together we’ll hit the road, explore unknown places, and keep proving that this diagnosis is not the end of the story. It’s simply a new chapter, one we’re determined to fill with health, adventure, and more reasons to keep going.

If you’re facing your type 2 diabetes battle, know that small steps can lead to big changes — and you don’t have to do it alone. Share your story in the comments, let’s learn from each other, and check out my other posts on reversing type 2 diabetes naturally for more tips, recipes, and encouragement.