DJ Neil Fox says lockdown has inspired him to beat diabetes by going on a strict no carbs diet and has already lost 3kg in three weeks
DJ Neil ‘Dr’ Fox says lockdown has inspired him to lose weight in a bid to beat diabetes.
The former Pop Idol judge, 59, says he is determined to reverse the condition by Christmas through a strict diet and more exercise.
The TV presenter was diagnosed with Type-2 diabetes three years ago after lack of sleep and his court case took their toll on his health.
Health kick: DJ Neil ‘Dr’ Fox says lockdown has inspired him to lose weight in a bid to beat diabetes
The father of three told The Mirror: ‘It’s a mixture of lifestyle, exercise and diet. I’m 59 and I’ve got three beautiful kids and I want to be around a long time.’
Neil revealed his wife Vicky, who is a yoga teacher, researched other ways to cure diabetes other than his prescribed Metformin, which reduces the sugar the liver releases into the blood.
But some studies show sufferers of Type-2 diabetes can reverse the condition by losing lots of weight.
Active: The former Pop Idol judge, 59, says he is determined to reverse the condition by Christmas through a strict diet and more exercise
Neil has previously tried a reversal diet but in lockdown, with diabetes sufferers a greater risk to coronavirus, he decided to cut out carbohydrates and lower his calorie count.
He said: ‘I looked at things I was eating as normal and began to have them as treats. I cut out white rice, and bread, white pasta, potatoes, pizza and chips. I’ve also cut booze. I’ll have an occasional beer, but not two or three.
‘I’ve been on the diet three weeks and feel much better. If you cut all white carbs, your tummy immediately goes flatter.’
Star: The TV presenter was diagnosed with Type-2 diabetes three years ago after lack of sleep and his court case took their toll on his health
Neil, who lives in London with wife Vicky and children Scarlet, 19, Jack, 17, and Martha, 13, has taken up meditation, walked 300 kilometres in lockdown and been cycling regularly.
He was 86kg at the start of the diet and has already lost 3kg in three weeks.
His goal is to drop down to 79kg by Christmas.
The star’s blood sugar levels have also dropped from 65mmol/mol to 53.
Focused: The talent show judge, pictured in 2003, has previously tried a reversal diet but in lockdown, with diabetes sufferers a greater risk to coronavirus, he decided to cut out carbohydrates and lower his calorie count
Once diabetes sufferers drop to under 48mmol/mol, they are considered to no longer have the condition.
Neil, who was one of the nation’s most popular DJs in the 1990s, became embroiled in a court case over historic sexual offence charges in 2014.
The star was found not guilty of all charges but he believes the experience negatively impacted his health.