Will McKechnie thought he was healthy because he exercises seven times a week and doesn’t drink or smoke
A grandad who exercised seven times a week was shocked when a health MOT revealed he was pre-diabetic – and has revealed the unusual change he made to reverse the disease. Dance teacher Will McKechnie, 66, was active and weighed 11st 13lb, and easily slipping into a size medium shirt, he wasn’t worried about his health and ate what he liked.
But an NHS ‘over 60s MOT’ included a blood test and revealed he had an average blood sugar level of 44 mmol/mo – indicative of pre-diabetes. He had no idea his nightly Yorkie bar and packet of crisps was putting him in danger because he “looked healthy” from the outside.
Grandfather-of-four Will from Lytham St Annes, Lancashire, ditched the snacks but also changed the way he ate, with great success. Instead of wolfing down his dinner, packing in as much as he could in a meal, he now chews slowly and says it makes him feel more full.
And it now takes 40 minutes to eat his lunch – wholemeal chicken sandwiches. In nine months his blood sugar was down to normal – 41 mmol/mo. He weighs 10st 2lb after losing 1st 11lb pounds, lost two inches off his waist, and switched to size small shirts.
Dad-of-five Will said: “I was so shocked and worried to hear I was pre-diabetic. I was petrified at the idea that I might be starting to get poor health. Before I heard that I just thought everyone sometimes has a bit of high blood sugar.
“And before that, before the blood test, I honestly thought I was really fit and healthy. When he said it wouldn’t be reversible over 48 I was terrified. Now I feel very very lucky that I had the test. I’m so much fitter and stronger and have enormous amounts of energy.”
Will, who looks after his 18-month grandson alongside teaching two dance classes each week, thought it didn’t matter what he ate because his weight was good and he was strong – just months earlier he’d been dancing seven times a week. He had the test in May 2023 but only found out he was pre-diabetic when his GP looked over the results a year later, during a different appointment.
His breakfast now consists of fruit, and a typical dinner is boiled eggs, roasted peanuts, celery, cherry tomatoes, carrots and cucumber.
He’s lost the sugar cravings that used to dominate his days, he said, and no longer has to dart into the nearest shop to find his chocolate fix. Will, quit smoking in 1986 and alcohol in 2012, used an app called ‘Second Nature’ provided on the NHS to help him overhaul his diet.
Will said: “I loved eating Yorkie bars and crisps, and ice cream. I just have a very occasional treat now, and much smaller. I’m very determined, if I set my mind to doing something I’ll do it, and I’m going to get my blood sugar even lower.
“Even if you have to pay for it it’s worth getting your blood sugar checked routinely. It’s much much better to find out. And if you’re addicted to eating sugar just try to cut it down. I’m so relieved I had that test. It has changed my life and made me so much fitter.”