How a 70-Year-Old Lost 120 Pounds and Reversed Type 2 Diabetes

Weight loss transformed Joanne Park at age 70, helping her reverse type 2 diabetes and drop 120 pounds in a little over a year, Yahoo Health reported.

Key Clinical Takeaways:

• Joanne Park lost 120 pounds after starting a regimen combining coaching, GLP-1 medication, and targeted nutrition in March 2025.
• Her type 2 diabetes went into remission, and her triglycerides dropped from 893 to 107.
• Her primary care doctor prescribed tirzepatide conditional on her enrolling in Virta Health virtual nutrition coaching.

High triglycerides and elevated blood sugar had challenged Park for over two decades. Her doctor prescribed tirzepatide, known commercially as Mounjaro, to treat her type 2 diabetes, requiring her to use Virta Health virtual nutrition coaching as part of her employer health insurance benefit.

“We tried hard but we never quite got there,” Park told Yahoo Health regarding her past cholesterol medications. “My doctor said part of my challenge was a hormonal imbalance. GLP-1 is controlling it, but it’s not curing it.”

Family nurse practitioner Erika Chen of Yunara Life said that GLP-1 medications can help regulate hunger, appetite, and blood sugar, with tirzepatide users shedding an average of 46 pounds in 18 months according to reported data.

Park began her efforts in March 2025 with a dedicated coach named Autumn, communicating Monday through Friday to overcome mental blocks and manage dietary changes.

“For months, Autumn and I chatted Monday through Friday,” Park told Yahoo Health. “It was nice to have someone who I could ask questions, bounce ideas off and to cheer me on.”

To address a historical aversion to breakfast, her coach suggested a morning protein shake containing almond milk, Greek yogurt, frozen fruit, and protein powder to hit 20 to 25 grams of protein. Research published in the Journal of Obesity & Metabolic Syndrome indicates that consuming a morning protein shake triggers brain and gut changes that result in up to a 40 percent drop in afternoon snacking.

For lunch, Park replaced processed to-go options and Starbucks visits with low-carb dinner leftovers such as chicken breast, steak, or burgers alongside cucumber salads, keeping her daily carbohydrate intake between 30 and 50 grams.

Within six months of starting her new routine, Park lost 90 pounds. Her subsequent lab results showed her A1C dropped from 6.5 to 4.7, her triglycerides fell from 893 to 107, and her cholesterol normalized for the first time in 25 years.

“My lower back pain is gone,” Park told Yahoo Health. “My diabetes is in remission. My cholesterol is normal for the first time in 25 years.”

Beyond clinical markers, the physical changes improved her joint mobility. According to a study from the University of Chicago, losing just 10 pounds relieves 40 pounds of pressure on the knees with every step, helping Park transition from struggling with mobility to snorkeling through a narrow lava rock passage in Iceland.

“Me, floating, feeling strong, fearless and alive,” Park told Yahoo Health. “It was more than an adventure; it was a declaration that new experiences don’t have an age limit. I don’t feel like I’m 70. I feel like I’m 40!”

Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for educational and scientific communication purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider regarding any medical condition, diagnosis, or treatment plan.