When I first got diagnosed as T2 the doctor - an ex Army doctor, knew from my records I was also ex-army. He spoke to me army-wise. He said ' unless you do what we tell you this will kill you. You can listen and do it and you will live a normal life. Or you can be a f**kwit or a smart alec, try and play the odds and this will kill you early. Frankly I'm not *****. It's your life and you can do what you want but don't expect me to bust a gut if you f**lk about. Do you smoke? (I said I did) He pointed at the waste paper bin and said 'chuck them in there and do it now. Why should I bust a gut if you are working against me'. I haven't smoked since (7 years).
He also gave me a big piece of advice several weeks later - 'metformin etc isn't to allow you to continue to do what you were doing before. If you live the same way then ultimately it will fails, as will insulin. You either fight to win or you will lose - not might, will, and like the battlefield it will be messy and painful'