HbA1c down 91 to 35 in 3 months

[Tree sculpture]

Hi folks

I just wanted to share my good news, I was diagnosed with Type 2 in September this year, my HbA1c was 91 - so pretty high.

I was lucky enough to find this forum the same day I was diagnosed so immediately went onto a low carb (under 50g a day) and very low calorie (under 800 Cals a day) .

Today I got my 3 month blood results and my HbA1c is down to 35! I am so relieved and its made the last few months of major dietary change worth it.

My cholesterol has dropped from 6.2 to 3.6 and my blood pressure has gone from 160/100 to normal levels and I've lost over three stone in weight.

I am so pleased and wanted to say a big thank you to everyone on these forums who takes the time to note their advice and experiences because I quite definitely could not have done it without all of you. The 'advice' from the medical professionals has been utterly useless tbh, this forum is quite literally a life saver.

 

[AndBreathe]

Hi folks

I just wanted to share my good news, I was diagnosed with Type 2 in September this year, my HbA1c was 91 - so pretty high.

I was lucky enough to find this forum the same day I was diagnosed so immediately went onto a low carb (under 50g a day) and very low calorie (under 800 Cals a day) .

Today I got my 3 month blood results and my HbA1c is down to 35! I am so relieved and its made the last few months of major dietary change worth it.

My cholesterol has dropped from 6.2 to 3.6 and my blood pressure has gone from 160/100 to normal levels and I've lost over three stone in weight.

I am so pleased and wanted to say a big thank you to everyone on these forums who takes the time to note their advice and experiences because I quite definitely could not have done it without all of you. The 'advice' from the medical professionals has been utterly useless tbh, this forum is quite literally a life saver.

Very, very well done Tree sculpture. What a turnaround!

Have you reached your target weight or do you still have a bit to do on that front? Everything else looks excellent.

Obviously, today you will feel like you're walking on air, but generally, do you feel well in yourself? And, I think Santa will have plenty of ideas for pressies this year. Your clothes must be hanging off you!!

Again. Very well done.

 

[VinnyJames]

Congratulations! That's an amazing achievement.

Similar to my story but much faster. I'm pretty sure the excess fat around our organs is a major contributory factor to complications.

What's your secret tip to keeping hunger at bay?

Meanwhile, enjoy your new found good health.

 

[Tree sculpture]

@AndBreathe thank you! Yes I still have about 2 and a half stone to go, so while I'll allow myself to lose it at a slower rate going forward I still have work to do. I plan to allow myself to eat out now and then because that was always a big part of my social life and I miss it a lot & I think as long as i stay low carb in my daily routine the occasional high carb blow out won't do me too much damage

I feel fine, I have loads more energy than I did before I started this diet (maybe partly because I've been doing regular exercise as part of the changes). I'm trying not to buy new clothes till I get to my target because it'd just be a waste - I had to buy some new jeans 4 weeks ago for a special occasion as nothing fitted me anymore and they are already too big! I look very baggy and shapeless in everything I own and turn my trouser waistbands over several times right now!

 

[Tree sculpture]

@VinnyJames thank you, and congrats on your excellent figures too!

well I have no magic bullet but I suppose I've taken on board the advice I saw someone here write (sorry can't remember who) about welcoming the feeling of hunger because it means you're doing what you planned. I use that empty stomach feeling I get while in between meals to do stomach crunches sitting down at my desk or in the car - they're probably not as good for me as the proper exercise but I reckon it helps tighten my abdominals a bit. Oh and I eat things that are low carbish and low calorie but fill me up such as loads of broccoli, brussel sprouts, raw carrots. And drink a lot of water. Weekdays are fine because i'm so busy, Sundays are very difficult, all I want to do is stuff my face!

 

[AndBreathe]

@AndBreathe thank you! Yes I still have about 2 and a half stone to go, so while I'll allow myself to lose it at a slower rate going forward I still have work to do. I plan to allow myself to eat out now and then because that was always a big part of my social life and I miss it a lot & I think as long as i stay low carb in my daily routine the occasional high carb blow out won't do me too much damage

I feel fine, I have loads more energy than I did before I started this diet (maybe partly because I've been doing regular exercise as part of the changes). I'm trying not to buy new clothes till I get to my target because it'd just be a waste - I had to buy some new jeans 4 weeks ago for a special occasion as nothing fitted me anymore and they are already too big! I look very baggy and shapeless in everything I own and turn my trouser waistbands over several times right now!

I lost a lot of weight (which wasn't an initial objective for me), just after diagnosis, during a period of time overseas. I arrived home looking like a refugee in my ill-fitting clothes, so I feel your pain on that front.

When I was in my local Sainsbury's the other evening, they had reduced great swathes of their Tu clothing range, by a minimum of 50%, so there were some great, everyday bargains, if you need something cheap and cheerful to raise your spirits this festive season. There's nothing better than putting on something that's a smaller size and doesn't cut off the circulation when one does it up!

Once you get close to your target weight, I suggest you plan how you will stabilise your weight, then maintain it for the long term. I found it difficult to stop losing weight (and have ended up quite skinny), and it took me a while to get the balances of nutrients right. Others have found the same thing, so it's worth planning your approach up-front.

 

[Prem51]

Excellent results @Tree sculpture! I embrace the hunger pangs too. I hardly notice them now. Keeping busy, going out walking or doing things helps. Keep up the good work!

 

[VinnyJames]

I remember a bariatric consultant on a documentary talking about hunger.
His take was we are mammals and we appear to have forgot that hunger is a perfectly normal state and that's why the body stores energy.

 

[Mike d]

That is one heck of a fall so brilliant work @Tree sculpture

 

[nomoredonuts]

I'm going to copy your post and stick it on my fridge! Well done!