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  • Better Lives with AIA Vitality: How Ngaire beat type 2 diabetes into remission with small choices

    AIA Vitality NZ - 5 min read

    26 August 2021

    • Health
    • Lifestyle

    After tragically losing her baby at 24 weeks into her pregnancy, followed by a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes, Ngaire Sothat felt betrayed by her body. But two years later, she’s thriving – thanks to healthy eating (and a little help from AIA Vitality). 

    Nick

    Ngaire had always considered herself healthy – until a series of profound challenges forced her to re-examine this belief.

    At 25 years old, Ngaire was diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). For more than a decade, she and her husband tried for a child – without success. Then, finally, the pair welcomed a daughter into the world. “It was amazing,” Ngaire recalls.

    In 2018, Ngaire fell pregnant again – but tragically lost her unborn baby at 24 weeks. “It was heartbreaking,” she says. “My daughter knew what was happening. She was excited to be a big sister.”

    While still grieving this devastating loss, Ngaire’s PCOS began to affect her hormones, which led to a raft of other health issues, including weight gain. “I went from 45 kilograms to 89 kilograms,” says Ngaire, who’s 150cm tall. “I knew something was wrong.”

    To try and cope with the trauma of losing her baby, Ngaire threw herself into her career. “I got back into working too early,” she says. “It wasn’t a good thing to do.” A few months passed, and Ngaire began feeling increasingly tired and unwell. After consulting with a doctor, she was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. “I felt betrayed by my body,” she remembers.

    Small steps to living better

    Joining AIA Vitality in 2020 and completing her nutrition self-assessment helped Ngaire become more aware of her food choices. Via the programme, she also consulted with a Mission Nutrition dietitian – which allowed her to focus on the areas she wanted to improve. “I'm an emotional eater, and she gave me strategies on how to deal with [that],” she says.

    Beyond this, Ngaire also benefited from the mental health assessment within the AIA Vitality programme. “You feel sometimes you can't actually talk to somebody about it,” says Ngaire of her mental wellbeing. “Having an app I can go to and assess myself and how I'm feeling helped a lot.”

    A change of mindset

    Inspired by the success she saw by taking control of her nutrition, Ngaire has set new goals and taken small steps to realising them. “Since I've lost the weight, I've been able to do a lot more things,” Ngaire says. Achieving new statuses within the AIA Vitality App has been a great incentive to keep besting herself. “I'm trying to get to Gold Status. I do about 17,000 steps a day.”

    While her type 2 diabetes is in remission, there’s always the possibility it could return. This means Ngaire understands – more than most – the importance of sustainable habits. “It's a change of mindset,” she says. “I needed something to happen to me to make that change.”

    Living by example

    Ngaire has done a lot of good for herself in the past few years. But one of the achievements she’s most proud of is setting a positive example for her eight-year-old daughter. “I'm able to run around with my daughter now,” says Ngaire. “We go biking. I can outrun her now… She loves it.”

    Through Ngaire, her daughter is now learning first-hand the importance of nutrition. “The other day, when I was quite sick, she knew exactly what to give me,” Ngaire says proudly. “She got me some fruit to make me feel better.”

    People in her community have also noticed the change in Ngaire, often asking what her secret is. “I [say], ‘All I've done is just made these minor changes to understand how my body works.’”

    Ngaire believes to inspire intergenerational change, we need to model positive behaviours for others. “It’s helped the wider community,” she says. “I'm able to have that influence on people, because they see that I've made the change.”

    Mission Nutrition

    Mission Nutrition offers a range of health services to AIA Vitality members, from supporting people with IBS, coeliac disease, diabetes, cancer, high blood pressure, and endometriosis, to eating disorders, pregnancy, menopause and weight loss. AIA Vitality members get 75% off an initial consultation and can earn up to 2500 Vitality points per year. Book your appointment here.


    Article by: AIA Vitality Staff Writer

    Staff writers come from a range of backgrounds including health, wellbeing, music, tech, culture and the arts. They spend their time researching the latest data and trends in the health market to deliver up-to-date information, helping everyday New Zealanders live healthier lives. 

    Disclaimer: The information in this article is general information only and is not intended as financial, medical, health, nutritional, tax or other advice. It does not take into account any individual’s personal situation or needs. You should consider obtaining professional advice from a financial adviser and/or tax specialist, or medical or health practitioner, in relation to your own circumstances and before acting on this information.


    This content is brought to you by AIA Vitality

    AIA Vitality is a personalised, health and wellbeing programme that supports you every day to make healthier lifestyle choices. Visit aiavitality.co.nz

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