The
Diabetes
Lifestyle Coach
Feel in control
of your diabetes again.
I'm Ellis — a Registered Nurse and Diabetes Lead. I help people with Type 2 diabetes and prediabetes understand their condition, make realistic lifestyle changes and feel more confident about what to do next.
Evidence-based. Practical. Personal. No judgement.
Online video consultations — wherever you are in the UK
What your blood sugar does next
Same food, same plate — just eaten in a different order. This is the kind of thing we unpick together, rather than cutting foods out.
You don't need to have it all figured out
Most people come to me at one of these four points. Any of them sound familiar?
Just diagnosed
You've been handed a leaflet and a ten-minute appointment, and you've got a hundred questions nobody's had time to answer.
Prediabetes
You've been told you're "at risk" or "borderline". This is the window where change makes the biggest difference — and you want to use it.
You've lived with diabetes for a long time
Your numbers have crept up, and the advice you were given at diagnosis doesn't fit your life anymore.
On medication
Metformin, an SGLT2, a GLP-1 — you're taking it, but nobody's properly explained what it does, or what to expect from it.
Support that fits where you are
From a one-off Diabetes MOT to longer-term 1:1 support, choose the level of guidance that feels right for you.
Get in touch and we can talk through what you're looking for.
Diabetes support that looks at the whole you.
Managing diabetes isn't just about food or blood sugar.
It can affect your nutrition, movement, sleep, weight, habits, confidence and everyday life.
I help you understand what matters, identify where you can make the biggest difference, and turn that into realistic changes you can actually maintain.
Understanding your diabetes
Make sense of your blood sugars, HbA1c and what they mean for you.
Nutrition & everyday eating
Move away from confusing food rules and learn how to make practical choices that fit your lifestyle.
Movement & lifestyle
Find realistic ways to become more active without feeling like you need to completely change your life.
Weight management
Build sustainable habits around your goals, without restrictive diets or all-or-nothing thinking.
Medication & GLP-1 education
Understand how your medication fits into your wider diabetes and lifestyle management.
Confidence & mindset
Feel less overwhelmed and more confident making decisions about your health.
Start with the plate, not the scales.
One of the simplest places to begin is how a plate is put together — no weighing, no counting, no cutting anything out. Tap each part to see what I mean.
A general starting point, not a prescription — in a consultation we shape it around what you actually like eating, your medication and your routine.
What does your HbA1c actually mean?
Your surgery gives you a number in mmol/mol. Half the internet talks in percentages. Here's both, plus what the result sits alongside.
HbA1c converter
Enter the number from your last blood test and switch between the two units the NHS and the internet use.
Typical UK reference points: below 42 mmol/mol (6.0%) is the normal range, 42–47 mmol/mol (6.0–6.4%) is the prediabetes range, and 48 mmol/mol (6.5%) or above is the diabetes range.
This is a unit converter, not a diagnosis, and it can't tell you whether your number is right for you — targets are personal and depend on your age, your medications and your health history. Bring your result to our consultation and we'll talk it through properly.
Simple, practical support — built around you
No complicated processes. No overwhelming information. Just personalised, evidence-based support designed around your goals, your lifestyle and where you are right now.
Book your appointment
Choose a time that works for you and book online. You'll get your confirmation straight away.
Tell me a little about you
Before your appointment, you'll complete a short questionnaire about your goals, lifestyle and diabetes journey, so we can make the most of our time together.
Your personalised consultation
We'll meet online for your 60–90 minute consultation and look at the bigger picture — your lifestyle, nutrition, habits, goals and the areas where you'd like support.
Leave with a clear plan
You'll receive personalised written guidance and practical next steps, so you know exactly what to focus on after our session.
Understand your diabetes with confidence.
Clear, practical, evidence-based information to help you make sense of Type 2 diabetes, prediabetes, nutrition, lifestyle and your results.
Empower your choices. Elevate your life.
Ellis — Registered Nurse, Diabetes Lead
"I'll start Monday…"
We've all said it. You don't need to be perfect, and you don't need to have it worked out before you get in touch — that's the bit I'm here for.
Hi, I'm Ellis ♥
Diabetes Lifestyle Coach · Registered Nurse · Diabetes Lead
If you've ever been told "you need to lose weight," "eat better," or "get your blood sugars down" — but were left wondering "Okay… but how do I actually do that?", you're in the right place.
I'm Ellis, a Registered Nurse and Diabetes Lead, with a passion for helping people feel more confident and in control of their Type 2 diabetes and prediabetes.
Through my work in diabetes care, I've seen how overwhelming it can feel. There's so much information out there — what you should eat, what you shouldn't eat, how much exercise you need, medications, blood glucose numbers, HbA1c… and sometimes it can feel like you're expected to figure it all out yourself.
I believe diabetes education should feel different.
My approach is practical, realistic and completely without judgement. I'm not here to give you another strict diet or tell you that you need to completely change your life overnight. I'm here to help you understand what's happening in your body, make sense of the information you're given and turn that knowledge into small, realistic changes that fit around your life.
Because managing diabetes isn't about being perfect. It's about finding an approach you can actually live with long term.
Why I started The Diabetes Lifestyle Coach
My professional experience in diabetes care, combined with seeing the impact diabetes can have on people and families, is what inspired me to create The Diabetes Lifestyle Coach.
I wanted to create a space where people could get clear, evidence-based education and personalised lifestyle support without feeling judged, overwhelmed or like they had failed.
Whether you've recently been diagnosed, have been living with Type 2 diabetes for years, have been told you're at risk, or simply feel like you need some extra support — you don't have to figure it all out alone.
Let's make diabetes feel simpler. ♥
Ellis Ford — Registered Nurse | Diabetes Lead | Diabetes Lifestyle Coach
Three things I promise you
No judgement, just support
You won't be judged for where you're starting from — whether that's your weight, your blood glucose, food choices or simply feeling like you've lost your way. My job is to listen, understand what's going on and help you move forward without shame or guilt.
Evidence over internet noise
There's a lot of conflicting diabetes advice online. I'll help you separate fact from fad, using evidence-based information and my experience working in NHS diabetes care. No quick fixes, no miracle cures, no unnecessary restriction — and no cutting out entire food groups because the internet said so. Just clear, practical information you can actually understand and use.
A plan that fits your life
You don't need a perfect routine. Your work, family, budget, social life and everything in between matter. We'll focus on realistic changes that work for you — because a plan only works if it's something you can maintain. Small steps. Real life. Lasting change.
What diabetes coaching is — and what it isn't
Diabetes coaching is designed to complement your usual healthcare, not replace it.
I don't prescribe medication, change prescribed treatment or replace your GP or diabetes care team. My role is to provide education, guidance and practical lifestyle support to help you better understand your diabetes and make informed choices.
We can explore areas such as nutrition, movement, weight management, lifestyle habits and the challenges that can make diabetes management difficult.
If something comes up that requires clinical assessment, diagnosis or a review of your medication or treatment, I'll advise you to speak with your GP, diabetes team or another appropriate healthcare professional.
Think of me as an additional layer of support — helping you understand the information, identify practical next steps and feel more confident managing your lifestyle.
Let's have a proper conversation
Sixty to ninety minutes, one fixed price, and a plan in writing at the end of it.
Support that fits where you are
From a one-off Diabetes MOT to longer-term 1:1 support, choose the level of guidance that feels right for you.
Diabetes MOT & lifestyle review
Perfect if you've recently been diagnosed with prediabetes or Type 2 diabetes, or if you're looking to regain control and refresh your diabetes management.
- Review your diagnosis and current medications (where applicable)
- Complete a comprehensive lifestyle assessment
- Improve your understanding of your medications, including benefits and potential side effects
- Discuss foot health and nerve awareness
- Review your latest HbA1c results and establish meaningful long-term goals
- Develop a personalised 4-week action plan tailored to your lifestyle
- Receive a written consultation summary with practical next steps
12 Week 1:1 Transformation Programme
Designed for people who are ready to transform their health, improve their diabetes management and build habits that last a lifetime.
- 60–90 minute comprehensive initial assessment via video consultation
- Weekly 1:1 accountability and coaching sessions
- Midpoint and final review to monitor progress and refine your plan
- Personalised nutrition plan with realistic, achievable goals
- Ongoing WhatsApp support throughout the programme
- Regular progress reviews and goal adjustments
- Individualised exercise guidance tailored to your ability
- Practical strategies to improve sleep and manage stress
- Blood glucose monitoring support and HbA1c improvement strategies
- Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM) interpretation and education (where applicable)
- Education and support with diabetes medications, including GLP-1 therapies
- A personalised 3-month maintenance plan with relapse prevention strategies to help you sustain your results
Get in touch and we can talk through what you're looking for.
Answer two questions
No email, no sign-up — just a straight suggestion.
1Where are you right now?
2How much support do you want?
By the end of this programme, you'll…
Twelve weeks is long enough for the habits to stop feeling like effort and start feeling like normal life. This is what we're working towards together.
You don't have to do this alone — I'm here to support you every step of the way.
Before you book
Which option is right for me?
Not sure which is right for you? Get in touch and we can talk about what you're looking for and decide which option, if any, is appropriate for you.
Do I need a referral from my GP?
No. You can book directly. Coaching sits alongside your NHS care rather than replacing it, so there's no referral and no waiting list — though I'd always encourage you to keep your diabetes team in the loop.
Will you change my medication?
No — I don't prescribe and I won't tell you to stop or alter anything you've been prescribed. What I will do is make sure you understand what you're taking and why, so that any conversation you have with your prescriber is a much better one.
I'm on a GLP-1. Can you help with that?
Yes. GLP-1 support is one of the things I'm asked about most — what to expect when starting, how to eat well while your appetite is suppressed, protecting muscle, and building the habits that mean the results hold.
What if I have Type 1 diabetes?
My coaching is built around Type 2 diabetes and prediabetes. If you have Type 1 and you're not sure whether I'm the right fit, message me and I'll give you an honest answer rather than book you in regardless.
Where do the consultations take place?
Online, by video, wherever you are in the UK. You don't need special software or a good camera — just somewhere quiet with a decent connection and 90 minutes where you won't be interrupted.
What happens after the consultation?
You get a written summary with your four-week action plan, practical next steps and relapse-prevention strategies. It's yours to keep, and yours to act on with or without more support from me.
Book your Diabetes MOT
One fixed price, one appointment, and a plan you'll actually use at the end of it.
Diabetes, explained properly
Everything here is written the way I'd explain it in clinic — no jargon for the sake of it, and no scare stories. Free to read, free to share.
If there's something you'd like explained, send me a message — the most-asked questions become the next articles.
Four things people are told that aren't quite true
Tap a card to turn it over.
Want it explained for your situation?
Articles can only go so far. In a Diabetes MOT we can look at your numbers, your lifestyle and your goals together — and work out what would actually help.
Let's have a proper conversation
Book your Diabetes MOT below and you'll get your confirmation straight away. Please read the disclaimer before booking.
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Choose any free slot in Ellis's diary that suits you.
Straight to your inbox, with the video link included.
On video, from wherever suits you.
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Send me a message
Tell me a bit about where you're at. There's no obligation and no hard sell — if I'm not the right person, I'll say so.
Other ways to reach me
If you'd rather message than fill in a form, that's completely fine — plenty of people do.
If you feel unwell, don't wait for a reply here. This inbox isn't monitored around the clock and isn't for urgent or emergency concerns. Contact your GP, NHS 111, or 999 in an emergency.
No judgement. No expectation to be perfect. Just practical, personalised support.
Ellis — The Diabetes Lifestyle Coach
Disclaimer – The Diabetes Lifestyle Coach
Last updated: October 2026
The Diabetes Lifestyle Coach provides diabetes education, lifestyle coaching and practical support to help individuals feel more confident managing their health and making sustainable lifestyle changes.
Educational Purpose
All information, coaching sessions, resources and programmes provided by The Diabetes Lifestyle Coach are for educational and informational purposes only. They are intended to complement, not replace, your usual NHS or private healthcare, including appointments with your GP, diabetes team or other healthcare professionals.
No Diagnosis or Medication Management
The Diabetes Lifestyle Coach does not provide medical diagnoses, prescribe medication, initiate or discontinue treatment, change medication doses or make individualised clinical treatment decisions. This includes insulin and GLP-1 medications.
Any information provided about diabetes, blood glucose monitoring, continuous glucose monitors (CGMs), nutrition, physical activity, weight management or medication is intended to support your understanding and lifestyle choices. Medication-related questions and treatment decisions should always be discussed with your prescribing clinician.
You should continue to follow your prescribed treatment plan unless your healthcare professional advises otherwise.
Individual Results
Everyone's circumstances and response to lifestyle changes are different. Although coaching aims to support positive and sustainable changes, no specific results are guaranteed in relation to HbA1c, blood glucose levels, weight loss, diabetes remission or medication requirements.
Your Responsibility
You remain responsible for your healthcare decisions and for seeking appropriate medical advice. If you experience new, worsening or concerning symptoms, contact your GP or diabetes team. Seek urgent medical assistance when necessary.
The Diabetes Lifestyle Coach is not an emergency or urgent medical service.
Contact and Questions
If you are unsure whether a coaching service is suitable for you, please contact The Diabetes Lifestyle Coach before purchasing a programme.
By using this website, purchasing a service or participating in a coaching programme, you acknowledge that you understand the educational nature and limitations of the service.
How your information is looked after
Last updated: September 2026
Who I am
This website belongs to Ellis Ford, trading as The Diabetes Lifestyle Coach, based in Langford, Bedfordshire. I'm responsible (the "data controller") for any personal information you share with me through it. You can contact me about anything on this page at ellis.thediabeteslifestylecoach@gmail.com.
What I collect, and why
- When you send a message through the contact form: your name, email address, the service you're interested in, and anything you choose to write. I use this only to reply to you.
- When you book a call: bookings are made through Practice Better, a secure practice management platform. They collect your booking details on my behalf.
- If you become a client: the health information needed to support you, like your diagnosis, medications and results, is kept in Practice Better and handled under the separate agreement we make when you start.
Health information is a "special category" of personal data. I only use it with your explicit consent, which you give when you tick the box on the contact form or book with me. You can withdraw it at any time by emailing me.
Who else sees it
Nobody, apart from the services that make this website and my practice work:
- Practice Better: bookings, client records and video consultations.
- Web3Forms: passes contact-form messages to my inbox.
- My email provider: where messages arrive.
- The website's hosting provider: keeps short-term technical logs to keep the site secure.
I never sell your information, never add you to a mailing list you didn't ask for, and never share it for marketing.
How long I keep it
If you send an enquiry and don't go on to work with me, I delete it within 12 months. Client records are kept for as long as professional and legal obligations require, and then securely deleted.
Your rights
You can ask to see the information I hold about you, correct it, delete it, or ask me to stop using it. Just email me. There's no charge, and I'll reply within one month. If you're unhappy with how your information has been handled, you can complain to the Information Commissioner's Office at ico.org.uk, though I'd appreciate the chance to put it right first.
Cookies
This website doesn't use advertising or tracking cookies, and there are no analytics following you around.
- Remembering your choice: a small setting saved in your browser so this site remembers whether you allowed the booking calendar. It's strictly necessary, so it doesn't need consent.
- Booking calendar (optional): the booking diary on the contact page is provided by Practice Better. When it's shown on this site, Practice Better may set its own cookies to make booking work securely. It only loads if you choose Allow. If you'd rather not, you can still book on Practice Better's own site using the link provided.
- Fonts: the text styles are stored on this website itself, so no outside company is involved in loading them.
Medical disclaimer
The information on this website is general education, not personal medical advice. Coaching supports your NHS care and doesn't replace your GP or diabetes team. Never stop or change a medicine without speaking to the person who prescribes it. If you feel unwell, contact your GP or NHS 111, or call 999 in an emergency. Read the full disclaimer.