When Chris Ketcham moved to Albany in 2009, he started a new insurance plan and figured it was a good time to visit the doctor’s office. It had been years since he’d had an annual exam, or for that matter, really put much effort into his health.

“I knew I was overweight,” recalls Chris. “And I had been feeling run down — always tired — for years. But I just figured it was because I needed to lose weight.”

But when Albany physician, Jenny Olsen, MD, tested Chris for a variety of health issues, the results indicated he had much more to be concerned with than just his weight.

“She told me I had type 2 diabetes and when she explained the symptoms, it all made sense,” says Chris. “I had been constantly thirsty and always tired. She said I’d probably been diabetic for at least three years.”

Chris said he instantly made some healthy changes on his own. He cut out soda and foods that were obviously loaded with sugar. But it wasn’t until he became more educated about diabetes that he adopted a completely new lifestyle.

“I was feeling really overwhelmed at first,” says Chris. “I had a new job, my wife and I were trying to adopt a baby and I knew I had to take better care of myself. So when Dr. Olsen referred me to diabetes education at the Albany hospital, it was a tremendous help.”

Chris worked closely with Samaritan Albany General Hospital dietitian Barbara George and diabetes coach Denise Born.

“Working with the diabetes people really helped me to understand exactly what diabetes is, how it affects me and how I can control it,” he says. “They gave me the education and the tools to change my life.”

And that’s exactly what Chris decided to do. Calling his previous eating habits “atrocious,” he got rid of all the junk food in his home. With the support of his wife, Tina, he now uses smaller plates to help with portion sizes and eats more vegetables and sugar-free foods.

In addition to dietary changes, Chris has added exercise to his life. He joined the YMCA and works out three times a week before work.

The results are impressive. At his heaviest, Chris weighed 310 pounds. Today he’s at 175, full of energy and in better shape than ever. His most recent tests showed he’d lowered his cholesterol and that his blood glucose numbers were normal.

“People who saw me before I lost weight often ask me what I’ve done,” says Chris. “I tell them I was blessed to have been diagnosed with diabetes. I think it saved my life. It was the wake-up call I needed.”

Chris says some of those inquisitive people have expressed concerns about their own risks of diabetes.

“I tell people ‘go get tested,’” says Chris. “And if you have it, get the education that you need. The hospital offers amazing help. I’ve never been in better health.”