After discovering that she had diabetes, Erika Lauder joined the Mastering Diabetes Coaching Program looking for a way to improve her health through sustainable lifestyle changes. Four months later, she reported that her fasting blood sugar had fallen from the 160s mg/dL to regularly between 80 and 95 mg/dL, while her weight decreased from 250 to 189 pounds—a loss of more than 60 pounds.
In this case study, Erika shares how changing the way she ate, learning to feel comfortable eating carbohydrate-rich whole plant foods, receiving coaching and community support, and building new daily habits changed both her health and her outlook on the future.
Erika's Results at a Glance
Result | Before | After 4 Months | Header |
|---|---|---|---|
Fasting Blood Sugar | 160s mg/dL | 80-95 mg/dL | Cell |
Weight | 250 lbs | 189 lbs | Cell |
Weight Lost | --- | 60+ lbs | Cell |
Cell | Cell | Cell |
Results reported by Erika after approximately four months in the Mastering Diabetes program. Individual results vary.
Want Help Working Toward Your Own Blood Sugar Goals?
Erika had coaching, education, practical nutrition guidance, and a supportive community as she worked toward her goals. If you'd like help applying the Mastering Diabetes approach to your own health, schedule a free discovery call to learn whether personalized coaching is a fit for you.
In This Story:
A Diabetes Diagnosis That Changed How Erika Saw Her Future
Erika first realized something was wrong when she began feeling unusually sick and lightheaded. When she learned that diabetes was the cause, she immediately began researching ways to improve her health.
While she knew medication could help manage blood sugar, she hoped to find a solution that addressed the underlying cause rather than simply controlling the symptoms.
Her experience working in healthcare had given her a clear understanding of what uncontrolled diabetes could lead to over time. She had seen the complications and knew how difficult the disease can become when it progresses unchecked.
She wanted something different. She wanted a strategy that could help her repair her health and prevent those long-term outcomes.
How Erika Discovered Mastering Diabetes
Erika first discovered Mastering Diabetes while watching videos on YouTube. The message resonated with her immediately. The focus on improving insulin sensitivity through a low-fat, whole-food, plant-based diet offered a path that felt hopeful and practical.
After learning more about the program, she scheduled a free discovery call. That conversation helped solidify her decision. She felt that the approach was compassionate, science-based, and genuinely focused on helping people change their lives.
She enrolled in the Mastering Diabetes Coaching Program and committed fully to the process.
Coaching and Community Made the Change Feel Manageable
One of the first things Erika noticed after joining was how supportive the program community was. Members regularly shared recipes, cooking techniques, and practical strategies for implementing the lifestyle.
There were tutorials on meal preparation, guidance on structuring meals, and suggestions for improving blood sugar through daily habits such as eating larger meals earlier in the day.
What stood out most was the positive environment. The community emphasized progress rather than perfection and encouraged members to take small, consistent steps forward.
That support made the transition feel manageable.
Overcoming Her Fear of Fruit and Carbohydrates
Like many people diagnosed with diabetes, Erika was initially nervous about increasing her carbohydrate intake. She had been taught that foods like fruit, beans, and potatoes could worsen blood sugar.
At first, she hesitated to try the recipes. But after encouragement from the team, she decided to test one simple meal: a salad made with beets, apples, arugula, carrots, and balsamic vinegar.
The result surprised her.
The meal was delicious and satisfying, and it did not cause the spike she had feared. That experience helped her build confidence in the program’s approach and allowed her to continue experimenting with the recipes.
Soon, her meals became centered around fruits, legumes, vegetables, and whole plant foods.
From Fasting Blood Sugar in the 160s to 80–95
Within four months of following the Mastering Diabetes Method, Erika’s results were dramatic.
Header | Before | After |
|---|---|---|
Fasting Blood Glucose (mg/dL) | 160s | 80 to 95 |
Weight (lbs) | 250 | 189 |
She now eats large portions of whole plant foods every day and still continues losing weight. Her long-term goal is to lose 100 pounds, and she feels confident that she will reach it.
Weight Loss Without Constant Hunger
One of the most surprising parts of Erika’s transformation has been how easy the weight loss has felt.
In the past, she associated dieting with restriction and constant hunger. This time, the experience was completely different.
Her meals are abundant and satisfying. She regularly eats greens and beans for breakfast and lunch and often includes large servings of fruit throughout the day.
Because these foods are high in fiber and water content, they keep her full for hours. She rarely feels hungry outside of normal meal times.
For the first time, losing weight did not feel like a struggle.
Finding New Favorite Whole-Food, Plant-Based Meals
Erika quickly discovered a collection of meals that she genuinely enjoys and now eats regularly.
One of her staples is a chickpea scramble for breakfast, which she says leaves her feeling energized and satisfied. She also enjoys butter beans with kale, garlic, onions, and harissa spices paired with sweet potatoes.
These meals feel indulgent and flavorful while still supporting her health goals.
Another unexpected change has been how her taste preferences evolved. Foods she once believed she could never give up no longer appeal to her.
She recalls trying a bite of cheesecake after months on the program. Before tasting it, she thought she had missed those foods. Afterward, she realized she no longer wanted them.
Her cravings had changed completely.
More Energy and a Return to Exercise
Along with improvements in her blood sugar and weight, Erika has experienced a noticeable increase in energy.
She now goes to the gym regularly and enjoys being physically active again. The improvements in her health have reinforced her motivation and strengthened her confidence that she can continue progressing toward her goals.
For Erika, the program has provided not just a diet but a framework for long-term health.
Looking for a Practical Plan You Can Follow?
Erika's progress came from changing daily habits one step at a time with guidance and support. Mastering Diabetes coaching is designed to help people apply the program's nutrition and lifestyle principles to their individual goals, questions, and challenges.
A Completely Different Outlook on the Future
Perhaps the most meaningful part of Erika’s journey has been the shift in how she views her future.
Before making these changes, she feared that diabetes would gradually take away her health, independence, and opportunities for adventure.
Today, she sees a completely different path.
She believes the second half of her life will be filled with travel, exploration, and meaningful experiences. The small daily changes she made to her food and habits have transformed her health and her outlook.
She now feels confident that she can build a life full of energy, adventure, and possibility.
What Erika Wants Others to Know
Erika emphasizes that transformation does not happen overnight and does not require perfection.
The key is taking small steps consistently.
Through education, community support, and sustainable habits, she was able to regain control of her health and dramatically improve her blood sugar.
She believes anyone struggling with diabetes can begin the same process.
Erika's Transformation After Four Months
Four months after starting Mastering Diabetes, Erika reported fasting blood sugar readings that had moved from the 160s mg/dL to regularly between 80 and 95 mg/dL. Her weight decreased from 250 pounds to 189 pounds, and she began exercising regularly while eating meals built around foods she now genuinely enjoys.
But Erika describes the biggest change as more than numbers. She says the small dietary and daily habit changes gave her a new sense of confidence about the second half of her life—and a belief that the travel, adventure, health, and experiences she wants are still possible.
Ready to Work on Your Own Diabetes Health Goals?
Erika's story reflects her individual experience, but you don't have to figure out your next steps alone. If you'd like personalized guidance for improving insulin sensitivity, blood sugar, nutrition, and sustainable daily habits, speak with a Mastering Diabetes advisor to learn whether coaching is right for you.
Video Transcript: Erika's Type 2 Diabetes and Weight Loss Story
In this video, Erika Lauder shares her experience with Mastering Diabetes, including how her fasting blood sugar changed from the 160s mg/dL to regularly between 80 and 95 mg/dL and how she lost 60 pounds in four months.
Video: How I Lost 60 Lbs & Reversed Diabetes in 4 Months Without Medication
This transcript has been lightly edited for clarity and readability while preserving the meaning and first-person voice of the original story.
00:00 – How She Lost 60 Pounds & Lowered Fasting Blood Sugar from 160+ to 80–95
So, when I first started, my fasting glucose was in the 160s mg/dL, and now, 4 months later, my fasting blood sugar is regularly between 80 and 95 mg/dL. Before, I was 250 pounds, since starting Mastering Diabetes, 4 months later, I was 189 pounds. I've lost 60 pounds and, hopefully, I am still going. My goal is to lose 100 pounds, so I've got 40 to go.
I was disappointed and angry with myself, but I was also scared and I started to do some research. I didn't feel good. The way that I discovered that I had diabetes is that I didn't feel good. I was very lightheaded, and I felt sick, and I didn't know what was going on.
So when I realized that it was diabetes, I started looking online at different options because I knew it was something that you could do something about, and I was hoping to do it without medication or without having to go to the doctor, because, even though I know that diabetes medication works for some people as far as helping them manage their blood sugar, I wanted something more holistic and more permanent that would actually really repair the problem.
So, I was looking online, and I indirectly discovered Mastering Diabetes on YouTube.
01:25 – How to Lower Type 2 Diabetes Blood Sugar Without Medication
They have videos on YouTube, so I watched some of their videos, and it seemed like the right thing for me. I booked a call and I spoke with Robby on the phone, and he really won me over. I loved his attitude, and I loved his approach, and I could tell that he really genuinely cared and really wanted to help people, and that was all I needed. It's changed my whole life.
For about 10 years, I was in the medical industry, and I worked in hospitals, so I saw up close what poorly managed diabetes looked like. The things that people with my diabetes go through with their health is horrendous, and I was really afraid of that.
I didn't want to live like that. I didn't want to get worse and worse because, a lot of the time, the traditional approaches to diabetes, even if people do everything that they think they're supposed to be doing, that they're recommended to do, it still just continues to get worse. Over time, they have to take more and more medication, and there are more and more side effects, and more and more complications.
I want to live my life. I want to travel, and I want to have great adventures, and I want to be able to enjoy the second half of my life. Getting diabetes is what made me realize that I wasn't going to be able to do that without getting a really good handle on my health.
My overall impression in the beginning was very positive. Everyone was so nice, and they were so supportive, and the community was really great. There are some rock stars in that community. They're always posting different recipes and showing videos of how to do things, and all the information that's on there is really helpful.
They have a thousand tutorials for how to meal prep, how to make certain foods, how to maximize your results. Trying to front-load your meals in the day and eating less at night helps your blood sugar come down in the morning. There was just so much information, and it was all so positive. They were all so kind, gentle, and encouraging as far as just making progress—a little bit in the right direction.
They're just trying to get you to take one good step in the right direction at a time until you can get to a point where it gets more comfortable for you. I really appreciated and enjoyed that.
03:38 – Can You Eat Fruit and Carbs with Type 2 Diabetes?
As far as it being high-carb in the beginning, I was nervous because I wasn't sure. I told Robby, and he said, "Try one of the recipes." I said, "I don't think I can do it yet. I don't think I can do it yet." He said, "Trust me, just try one and then let me know how it goes." And I said, "Okay."
So, I tried it. There was a salad in the first week. It's beets and apples and arugula and carrots with some balsamic vinegar on it. It was delicious. The way that they designed the recipes, when you eat all those leafy greens with your fruit, it doesn't impact you badly at all. Of course, I messaged him later and said, "You were right. It was great."
I eat so much fruit now, it's ridiculous. Every day, I have greens and beans at breakfast. I have greens and beans at lunch. That was one of the best parts of the whole program: learning that I can still eat what I love and enjoy my food, and now my body is healing and can process it better.
04:37 – Fasting Blood Sugar 160+ to 80–95 & 60 Pounds Lost in 4 Months
So, when I first started, my fasting glucose was in the 160s mg/dL, and now, 4 months later, my fasting blood sugar is regularly between 80 and 95 mg/dL. Before, I was 250 pounds. Since starting Mastering Diabetes, 4 months later, I was 189 pounds. I've lost 60 pounds and, hopefully, I am still going. My goal is to lose 100 pounds, so I've got 40 to go.
It's the easiest I've ever lost weight. I can't even believe how easy it is and how much I'm enjoying myself and how much more energy I have. I go to the gym now, too, so I'm very confident in saying that I'm going to reach that goal. I'm going to be 150 pounds probably by summer.
05:18 – Best Whole-Food Plant-Based Diet for Type 2 Diabetes & Weight Loss
Marco, my coach, told me in the very beginning, he said, "You're going to notice that your tastes will change, and you won't miss the foods that you used to eat anymore." And I didn't believe him. “I've loved food for a long time, Marco. I don't think that's going to change.”
Because I really wanted to get better, I said, "It's okay. I'm going to make this sacrifice for my health. I'm going to cut these foods out for my health, and I'm going to do the right thing for myself." But I did not believe for one second that I was ever going to not miss them.
Lo and behold, I almost never think about foods I used to eat. I had no idea how much of that was routine. I had no idea how much of the foods that I liked, that I thought I liked, it was just because that was what I was eating at the time. I didn't know any better.
Now we have a chickpea scramble that they introduce very early on in the program. I eat it for breakfast almost every day. It's delicious. I feel amazing after I eat it, and there are no limits to how much I can eat. When you're eating that kind of food, you can't overeat it. If I'm hungry, I eat, and it's fine.
What's nice, too, is I'm very seldom hungry outside of mealtime anymore because it's such satisfying food. I like to make myself these harissa butter beans. It's chopped-up kale and butter beans and harissa paste and onions and garlic and such, and it's delicious. I'll usually have it with a sweet potato at lunchtime. I am never hungry.
My best friend made a cheesecake, and I had a bite of cheesecake. I really thought that I had missed it before that, and after I ate it, I thought, "No, I don't. I don't miss these things. I don't want them anymore because they don't serve me." It's a change that I didn't expect.
I told Marco, "You were right. I don't miss any of it anymore. I love the food I eat now, and I wouldn't change it for anything. It's wonderful."
I will say what Mastering Diabetes has given me is the knowledge and power that I needed to thrive. They educated me and gave me the tools I needed to thrive in my life. That's probably the best way I can say what they've given me.
You've got all these people that are going through the same thing you are, and they all have great ideas, and you share your ideas, so you get this amazing community and support.
Not that long ago, I sent him a message and I said, "The second half of my life is going to be so different now." And it's all in a good way. I can tell you that I'm going to be happier and healthier and more vibrant and more excited by life because of these little dietary changes and these little daily habit changes that I've made.
One thing at a time, one little step at a time. I changed all these little things, and now my whole life is different, and the way I see the future is different.
I said in my goals, I want to lose 100 pounds, and I want to live a life full of adventure, and I want to have great love in my life. Now I believe those are all possible. I didn't believe that back then. I didn't believe I was ever going to have any of that. I thought I was going to live a long, sad, lonely life.
So, to be able to look at my life now and be hopeful about it—not even just hopeful, but certain that all these wonderful things are going to happen purely because I'm taking better care of myself and I've regained my health and happiness with this program—I can't express how grateful I am or how different my outlook on life is now.
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Until next time, keep those carbs high and that A1c low.
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