In addition to being a mother, wife and caregiver, Bergen, 51, has a demanding job as an entrepreneur. After years of putting others before herself, including her chronically ill husband, Bergen was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes three years ago. “(This diagnosis) scared me. August 2019 was the wake-up call.” MIKE DEAL / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS After Michelle Bergen was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes three years ago, she lost more than 120 pounds and is now diabetes-free. She has documented her health journey on Instagram, where she has built a huge following. Tired of feeling run down, Bergen knew it was time to stand up for herself. Incorporating an exercise routine into her lifestyle was just one ingredient in getting her life back on track – she also quit smoking and drinking, started tracking her food intake and joined Weight Watchers. “I have been overweight for the last 25 years of my life and have always been looking for ways to lose weight. I previously joined Weight Watchers 10 times but never succeeded. I would get to a certain point and end up giving up,” he says. “But this time I was determined and motivated – giving up was not an option. I knew it was up to me to make a change.” There are two main types of diabetes: Type 1 and Type 2. The first usually occurs early in life and occurs when the pancreas fails to produce insulin, a hormone that allows your body to process sugar from carbohydrates for energy or to store for future use. The latter develops over many years due to lifestyle factors. People with type 2 diabetes cannot effectively use the insulin produced by their body, or their body is unable to produce enough. SUPPLIED “My doctor is so proud of me. It saved my life and gave me the wake-up call I needed,” says Michelle Bergen. If left untreated, type 2 diabetes can lead to blindness, kidney failure, heart problems, neuropathic pain and amputations. According to Diabetes Canada, there are more than 5.7 million Canadians diagnosed with either type and, every 24 hours, more than 20 Canadians die from diabetes-related complications. As a newly diagnosed diabetic, Bergen researched nutrition to learn how to better fuel her body. “I started reading a lot about different foods. I wanted to understand the science behind weight loss and what I needed to be successful.” She also started going to the gym regularly and fell in love with physical activity after noticing changes in her body. “I started putting on muscle. I never had that before,” he says. “Little by little I saw success. First five pounds, then ten pounds. I actually cried when I first lost 20 pounds.” The combination of physical activity and healthier food choices resulted in a 50kg weight loss in six months. But the benefits didn’t end there. Earlier this year, she found out she doesn’t have diabetes, although she still monitors her sugar intake to make sure she stays on track. “My doctor is so proud of me. It saved my life and gave me the wake-up call I needed,” says Bergen. “I’m still getting tested for diabetes just to make sure my sugar levels are down (the limit), but I’m off all the meds and everything’s fine. I am no longer diabetic.” Research shows that type 2 diabetes — which accounts for 90 percent of those diagnosed, according to Diabetes Canada — can be “reversed” by a dramatic change in diet and activity levels. Researchers studying diabetes remission found that the people most likely to experience remission had Type 2 for less than 10 years. SUPPLIED Incorporating a workout routine into her lifestyle was just one of the things Michelle Bergen did to get her life back on track—she also quit smoking and drinking, started tracking her food intake, and joined Weight Watchers. “If someone loses weight, initially, it’s possible to reverse (type 2 diabetes) and send it into remission,” says Dr. Harvey Lee, an endocrinologist at Rossmere Medical Center in Winnipeg. “You’d be surprised what exercise and diet can do to someone who has developed it.” The reality check, however, is that diabetes is an ongoing disease, so remission doesn’t mean you’re cured. Even if you’re off medication and your blood sugar levels stay in a healthy range, there’s always a chance that symptoms will return, Dr. Lee says. To keep herself accountable, Bergen began documenting her journey on Instagram. Since starting her account three years ago, she has amassed more than 27,000 followers. “So many people try to congratulate me or tell me how I inspired their journey and it’s the absolute best feeling. I talk to people all over the world,” he says. “I create all my fitness routines, recipes, things like that. Sometimes I’ll have 1,500 followers a day.” Now armed with a popular fitness account, brands and influencers have begun approaching Bergen wanting to work with her, including a global giant. “Someone (from Weight Watchers) came up to me and said, ‘We love your story. We are interested in working with you,” says Bergen. “I was asked if I would be interested in joining the Canadian ambassadors’ team. I said “Absolutely”. I don’t think people would know who I am or what I do if it wasn’t for Instagram.” Despite gyms being closed during the pandemic, Bergen didn’t just persevere, she thrived. Today, he has lost more than 120 pounds. “When the pandemic hit, I just continued my journey. I ordered a bunch of equipment online and worked out at home every morning. I didn’t give up.” MIKE DEAL / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS To keep herself accountable, Michelle Bergen began documenting her journey on Instagram. Since starting her account three years ago, she has amassed more than 27,000 followers. One of the motivations for Bergen to take her health scare more seriously was her husband, Bob. He suffers from Berger’s disease and recently had his leg amputated. As a result of their lifestyle changes, he has also lost 70 pounds. “When he had his leg amputated, losing that weight really helped him recover,” she says. “He used to be so resistant to change, but now he likes the food I make.” Quitting alcohol was a critical lifestyle change. Happy hour was an almost daily ritual, Bergen says. Now, she prefers to go out for coffee on Friday nights and incorporates physical activity into her daily routine. She says her relationship with food has changed and she continues to monitor her sugar intake. In addition to her full-time job, Instagram has become a passion project. “I go to the gym in the morning, come home and get ready to go to work all day,” she says. “At night when I’m in bed, it’s all Instagram. What I post, how I tag, what people are searching for, what’s trending. It’s kind of my side hustle.” Through her Instagram account, Bergen found a community of like-minded people with similar goals – she says these connections are important. And for anyone considering a similar health journey, Bergen has a simple piece of advice: don’t give up. “It doesn’t happen overnight. It’s a journey, not a race. Be patient with the process,” he says. “Life is too short and happiness is rare. Don’t ever give up.” [email protected] @SabrinaCsays
