64-year-old with type 2 diabetes lacing up his running boots for January challenge

A 64-year-old man has been running every day this month in a bid to put his type 2 diabetes into remission.
Paul Taylor, who is from Barrowford in Lancashire, decided to change his lifestyle after alongside his type 2 diabetes he became more than four stone overweight and developed high blood pressure.
Mr Taylor joined the Up and Active team based in his local area, sparking a New Year’s health drive which is helping him to get fitter and live a healthier life.
He is also taking part in ‘Run Every Day’ (RED) January to support mental health charity Mind, has completed the Couch to 5k initiative and signed up to Trawden Athletics Club. Within nine weeks he has managed to run five kilometres.
So far, he has shed two and a half stone and got his blood glucose levels under control, leading to him coming off his type 2 diabetes medication.
He told Lancashire Telegraph: “So at 64 years old, 16 stone and 10 pounds, which for me is more than four stone overweight and with type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure, I knew it had to be time to do something.
“I set myself a few goals in the gym on the treadmill to walk further, a bit faster and with a slight gradient.
“I’ve ran 69k since the start of January and I’m just going to keep on running. It’s all for a worthy cause and is something I really enjoy doing.”
To sponsor Mr Taylor, visit his Just Giving page.
As well as exercise, diet can also play a major role in the battle against type 2 diabetes. More than 250,000 people have signed up to our award-winning Low Carb Program, and results show that after 12 months users reduce their average HbA1c by 1.2% and 37% reduce their dependency on medication.