Hi @msbailey75,

It may sound too good to be true that type 2 diabetes can go away or be reversed with exercise and healthy eating – but research and many clinical studies have established some truth to this statement.
Your physicians' have given you some great advice – eating a healthy diet, being physically active, and losing extra weight is the foundation of diabetes management. When you follow this healthy lifestyle, your body's cells respond better to insulin which then lowers blood sugar levels.
When people with type 2 diabetes can go off medication because their blood sugar is normal or controlled, then the diabetes is considered to have gone away or reversed. However, they must continue to engage in a lifestyle program in order to stay off treatment.

Here's an article from Mayo Clinic, about "Diabetes diet: Create your healthy-eating plan" https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/diabetes/in-depth/diabetes-diet/art-20044295

With regard to stiff heart, there are so many studies (https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.117.030617)
that have shown the benefits of high- and moderate-intensity aerobic exercise and good diet.
The Heart Failure Society of America has this information about "DASH Diet Softens Stiff Hearts" that might interest you:
https://www.medpagetoday.com/meetingcoverage/hfsa/41865
@msbailey75, I would sincerely encourage you to join in any of the discussions in the Heart & Blood Health group, and/or in the Diabetes/Endocrine System group on Connect. https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/diabetes-and-endocrine-problems/tab/discussions/
You’ve come to the right place to talk with people who have similar experiences with health, and to get support from incredibly informative members who understand your concerns.