UAE: British teacher sheds 11kgs to win Dh5,000 diabetes challenge

UAE: British teacher sheds 11kgs to win Dh5,000 diabetes challenge

To increase one's longevity, we must consider everyday changes. It is just the start of a journey to achieving a healthier lifestyle, says the Sharjah resident

Published: Tue 20 Dec 2022, 5:55 PM

A teacher by occupation, Bahawooddin Saiyed, bagged the first prize of Dh5,000 in the 3-month-long RAK Diabetes Challenge 2022, which concluded on Tuesday.

Looking back at his journey and experiences of the last 12 weeks, Saiyed said, “Discipline is key rather than wish. The journey started with the determination to win this battle against this silent killer. Knowing that Type 2 diabetes can be reversed and witnessing its effect on certain family members, I was intent on turning things around."

Saiyed achieved an overall indexed improvement of 38.38 per cent, marked by 50 per cent reduction in HbA1c levels to 5.8 and a weight loss of 11 kilograms. He also emerged as the overall winner and received the first prize in the Physical Category Male.

The Sharjah resident had to undergo dietary changes to go hand in hand with walking for 35-40 minutes daily. "I made the necessary dietary changes and, most of all, reduced my portion sizes, ate my meals at prescribed times, increased vegetable intake, reduced rice, potato, and bread