Patients kick the insulin habit through diet, exercise.

Aaron Snyder of San Diego bench presses to control his diabetes through diet and strength and conditioning at his home on October 20, 2009 in the Mission Bay area. Snyder was diagnosed 10 years ago, he lost 50 pounds the first year and 10 more later. Now He sticks to a low-carb diet and works out everyday without taking medication.

Lifestyle changes: Over the next year he lost 50 pounds on a low-carb diet, and 10 more pounds the year after that. His doctor put him on insulin and metformin, a non-insulin medication that decreases the livers output of sugar and boosts cells' ability to metabolize insulin. He began exercising daily.

Today: He still weighs 160 pounds, and sticks to his low-carb diet. Two years ago, he stopped taking all his diabetes medications, and his blood pressure and cholesterol are normal. He works out every day, lifting weights four days a week, and riding a stationary bike 30 minutes three days a week.

http://www.latimes.com/features/health/la-he-diabetes-diet-profiles26-2009oct26,0,3604643.story