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The Good Things of being Diabetic

Yorksman said:
Ah but they have such wonderfully flat valley floors:

the-nearby-leutasch-valley.jpg



Especially the ones with lakes.

B_IMG_8192_Radweg_Achensee_Buchau.JPG
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Now that's place I would love to go cycling in, so beautiful:D
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For me its been the best thing to happen to me in a long long time. It was the kick in the ass that I needed to get my life in order. I put on 6 stone in weight before I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism and although I tried a couple of times I never managed to lose more than a stone in weight but then put more back on. With this diagnosis I have bucked up, pulled my finger out and have already lost 1.5 stone and really enjoying what I am eating. My BP is lowering as the weight is coming off, I feel fitter and I have a better outlook on life.

I think that its only going to be type 2's that will find a positive outlook after diagnosis as we can hugely improve our health after diagnosis, so much so that we can manage it with just diet and exercise if lucky. With Type 1 the need for medication will never go away.

Hugs,
 
For me as a type 1 an have been for 18 years i was diagnosed at 12 years old im now 29 an when i look back at my life having diabetes has made me eat healthier an try my best to look after myself. Also while some of my friends went out got drunk an some binged drinking i decided to take it easy with alcohol an theres times i dont drink for years. On my part its good to wake up fresh in the morning whilst my friends or partner wake up with the worst hangovers :)

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Yorksman said:
Ah but they have such wonderfully flat valley floors:

the-nearby-leutasch-valley.jpg


Especially the ones with lakes.

B_IMG_8192_Radweg_Achensee_Buchau.JPG



I have some osteoarthritis in my ankle and although I can go for good walks in the mountains now, I best not over do it. Cycling keeps me active but without the strain on my ankle and then of course swimming too is very good.

And after all that fresh air and exercise, I'll be OK for a nice evening meal.
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Looks like heaven! I'm sure you'll have a wonderful time! Whereabouts are you going?
 
Robinredbreast said:
Gosh, I had HELLP Syndrome too, having my daughter in 2000, you would of had an emergency operation as well then, did you also have a platelet transfusion.? I hope you don't mind me asking, it's just that I've never known any one else who had this condition, your daughter born at 29 weeks, wow, I had my D at 33 weeks, I only had one day maternity leave, I left work on Thursday 12th, because it was Friday the 13th the next day and the 13th was when I started to feel ' not that great' Glad you both pulled through:joyful:
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First they told me I had it at week 27. Kept me in. Changed their minds. Sent me home. Was very ill with what I thought was a stomach bug. Then sent home readmitted then sent home. This went on for a week and a half. The trainee consultant then picked it up and I was rushed to Dorchester where I had 3 platelet transfers. Got cramps so they called the crash team. They literally ran with me down the corridor and the anaesthetist was putting the cannula in as they were running. I always remember " hi, I'm the anaesthetist and you'll be out in 5, 4, 3...... Then I deteriorated when I came round and spent 3 days on deaths door in the itc unit. Daughter was in itc unit for babies. Interesting times! What about you?
 
Dee_licious1 said:
For me its been the best thing to happen to me in a long long time. It was the kick in the ass that I needed to get my life in order. I put on 6 stone in weight before I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism and although I tried a couple of times I never managed to lose more than a stone in weight but then put more back on. With this diagnosis I have bucked up, pulled my finger out and have already lost 1.5 stone and really enjoying what I am eating. My BP is lowering as the weight is coming off, I feel fitter and I have a better outlook on life.

I think that its only going to be type 2's that will find a positive outlook after diagnosis as we can hugely improve our health after diagnosis, so much so that we can manage it with just diet and exercise if lucky. With Type 1 the need for medication will never go away.

Hugs,
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I have 6 to lose too! I've done 2.5 stones so far. Look a hell of a lot better for it too!
 
Maybe not a good thing in the sense that I'd rather not have it, but it has made me realise that the time to start thinking of my own health and needs is now. I put on weight due to hormone treatment to get pregnant which may have triggered PCOS but no one seemed that bothered as I had had a successful pregnancy which is what I was being seen for. I struggled along losing a bit , putting it back on and then my son developed OCD three years ago and the weight just piled on as a coping mechanism. Now I know I must lose it for my health along with addressing my own longstanding anxiety issues so I it has been a wake up call to get on with it and living. I don't always succeed at either, but I'm learning with all the great support on here.
 
As a type 2 my positives are it gave me motivation to lose weight and get fitter after 12 months of cancer treatment that turned me into an overweight slob. (and gave me diabetes in the first place). I am now a lot healthier and slimmer. Goodness knows what state I might be in now but for diabetes. I also discovered yogurt, which I'd never eaten before and have been able to eat fry ups and butter without feeling guilty. Negatives? I could kill for a chip butty followed by a large vanilla slice.
 
Ruth B said:
A lot of people, myself included, seem to see being diagnosed as diabetic as a world ending event or at least the end of all the good things in life. So I decided to start the thread to list all the good little things that people have found after being diagnosed. (Sorry if ones already been done, but I haven't come across it in my browsing)

To start with the obvious, I have to say this forum, people to support you through a steep learning curve and to prove its not all bad.

Secondly an almost stupid little one. Every time I had sandwiches when I was a kid I was always being told to eat the crusts. Now I can have a small sandwich packed full of meat, cheese and salad and feel good about leaving the crusts behind while still having that slightly guilty feeling about doing so. It may not be much but it is a few less carbs.

Finally for now, I know someone who does the catering for a buffet on a preserved railway line. They have occasionally been asked if any of the cakes are suitable for diabetics which unfortunately the answer is always no. From this site I have found links to various cakes that she could bake easily and should still appeal to non diabetics as well. It may be a small start, but it might eventually make eating out a little easier for us if others can learn that low carb is an option and tastes good.

Now over to everyone else to list those pleasures that have come after diagnosis.
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I find that a good thing about becoming diabetic is that it can encourage you about leading a healthier lifestyle, because you want to prevent getting diabetic damage in the future. :)

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Also, it gives you something interesting to talk about.

A lot of non-diabetics like to learn about it, I find, which makes me feel like I've done something helpful.

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Awww, no, that's not good.

I find if you mention your diabetes at work, a lot of people ask questions about it.

I'm kind of shy, so sometimes I find it like an ice breaker type thing.

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Robinredbreast said:
Now that's place I would love to go cycling in, so beautiful:D
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They are much better organised for recreational cycling on the Continent. The UK is dominated by road racers. Germany has cycle routes along all the major rivers for example. The Elbe Cycle Route goes all the way from the Czech border to the North Sea, 1260km, in some places on both sides of the river so you can make circular routes. I fancy taking a cheap flight to Hamburg, hiring a bike cycling down river towards the sea on the north side, cross over via the ferry and then back to Hamburg. It'd be nice to take 4 or 5 days over it and take in some of the sites like Stade.

Elbe Cycle Route

altesland07_03.jpg
 
Scandichic said:
Looks like heaven! I'm sure you'll have a wonderful time! Whereabouts are you going?
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Start off in the Olympia Region in Seefeld, then to Mayrhofen in the Zillertal and then off to Zell am See

I'll have a look at this relatively new sport of summer cross country skiing as they are geared up for it in Seefeld. It looks like a nice activity which you can do at a steady pace to suit yourself, although there are major competitions thesedays.




It might even be worth buying the rollers as you could do this at some seaside resorts with long promenades like Blackpool or Morecambe or on the cycle paths which are converted railway lines, such as Harrogate to Ripley Castle.

Seems that there are versions for rougher terrain too, they look as if they just have bigger wheels and some sort of brake mechanism. I think that would be very very useful in my case.

 
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Robinredbreast said:
Being Type 1 is a medical condition that I, and lots of others, just get on with. But honestly, I can't see the 'positives' Ruth B, along with my other autoimmune conditions as well, plus seeing my 2/12 year old granddaughter, diagnosed with type 1 fighting for her life in the HDU is still heart breaking.:bigtears: There does seem to be more positive responses from Type 2's, which is great:) but not from me I'm afraid.
Best wishes. Feeling a bit grumpy at the moment, so better go and test!!
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So sorry to hear about your granddaughter, hope that she is feeling much better and things are more improved...what a very frightening time you have been through....thinking of you Kat x
 
Scandichic said:
The trouble with diabetes is it's an insidious illness. If I eat a bag of sweets I'll be ill. But not that ill. If I do it regularly then the internal damage would be awful. People don't take it seriously. They don't see your 2 1/2 year old granddaughter fighting for her life because of it. For example.
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What ever type I don't think anyone of us would want it, if we had the choice that is ...
Health is so important for us all .....
It is good to share our experiences though, means we are never alone ....that is a good thing , never being on our own X
 
Bluetit1802 said:
As a type 2 my positives are it gave me motivation to lose weight and get fitter after 12 months of cancer treatment that turned me into an overweight slob. (and gave me diabetes in the first place). I am now a lot healthier and slimmer. Goodness knows what state I might be in now but for diabetes. I also discovered yogurt, which I'd never eaten before and have been able to eat fry ups and butter without feeling guilty. Negatives? I could kill for a chip butty followed by a large vanilla slice.
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OOO yes please, the old style vanilla slice though, not the stuff they churn out thesedays. :playful:
 
Bluetit1802 said:
As a type 2 my positives are it gave me motivation to lose weight and get fitter after 12 months of cancer treatment that turned me into an overweight slob. (and gave me diabetes in the first place). I am now a lot healthier and slimmer. Goodness knows what state I might be in now but for diabetes. I also discovered yogurt, which I'd never eaten before and have been able to eat fry ups and butter without feeling guilty. Negatives? I could kill for a chip butty followed by a large vanilla slice.
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Did you mention vanillia slice , now what am I to do :oops::eek:
Sorry to read about your cancer , hope you are all clear now , take care , best wishes Kat x
 
Kat100 said:
Did you mention vanillia slice , now what am I to do :oops::eek:
Sorry to read about your cancer , hope you are all clear now , take care , best wishes Kat x
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Thanks Kat. Yes, I had a 12 month all clear in January :) followed 4 days later by my diabetes diagnosis. :( Too busy trying to control the diabetes to worry about the cancer coming back!
 
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