Hi,
I've been diagnosed with type 2 for a few years now and have moved from 3x500mg Metformin to 5x, then had 2x 80mg Gliclazide added, and last week went to 3x that.
However, I've been in denial about being diabetic and have not adjusted my diet.
My weight crept up and up and up over 30 years until I was nearly touching 20st (I'm 5' 1" - so that's not a good look). My knees could not take the strain, plus (or possibly because) I developed osteoarthritis and they are now crumbling away.
I have taken my weight down to 17st over the last 4 years, which is fine, but still never bothered to watch what my blood sugars were, and they continued to rise as, although overall I've lost weight, I also have sessions of total binge eating. I have not had a good relationship with food, but I have worked on this over the last 5 years or so and am much more mindful now about what I'm eating and why. I do still go off the rails though.
I was about to go in for a knee replacement op next week, but my pre-op has shown up my high blood sugar levels and have resulted in the op being cancelled.
I know this sounds like a tale of woe and many would say you've done this to yourself, made your bed, blah, blah, blah. Actually, I'm not a tale of woe sort of girl really. I'm generally happy, self-contained and positive. Anyway, I'm also not entirely stupid, and know that only I can do something about this. Partly the thought of going on to insulin motivates me, and partly the knowledge that my knees can only get worse and I will be unable to even walk my lovely dog. So now is the time. I AM going to change this, BUT I know I need to go public, feel I have support of people who understand, and take advice of people who've been there and done it - so I'm here and if you don't mind putting up with me - this is my diary where I'll log my progress.
I'm going low carb. It'll be hard, but I know I have to go cold turkey on some of the things I love. I recognise that when I eat bread, I want to eat more bread... then pastry and cakes follow... then ice-cream. So none of that - it's all out. I'm not fussed about potatoes, unless they are jackets and then one isn't enough - so they're out. I love pasta, but it's always a huge portion - so that's out.
I plan to be kind to myself though, and eat things which I count as lovely. I love fish, so lots of that. I like meat, so that's in too. I like salad, green veg, fruit and pulses, but am confused about how much of some of them I can have. I love nuts and seeds, but after a life-time of looking at calories, I can't get my head around being allowed them, and I do need to lose weight as well as go low carb, so again am confused about what I can eat of those, but I will be reading loads of stuff on this site to help. Any lovely low carb food ideas welcome - especially brekkie and lunch.
Anyway - the diary bit. I joined this week. Started low carbing on Tuesday, using MyFitnessPal to help me, and so far have had two successful days.
Tues - carbs 86 ('cos I had a veggie biriani to use up), cals 1335 out of 1680 ('cos I had earned extra through exercise), BG a.m. 14.7, p.m. 11.1
Weds - carbs 55 (and learnt that cheese has 0 - who knew?), cals 1339 out of 1335 (a few over - whoops), BG a.m. 13.5, p.m. 9.7 (I won't be doing daily readings for long, just for a while to prove to myself it's working)
Feeling good so far. A little hungry around mid-afternoon, but solved that with green tea and celery.
If you've read this far, many thanks for indulging me. Looking forward to posting here and keeping it all going. Small steps and all that!
R x