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15 month update

Hm112819

Active Member
Messages
43
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Other
I thought I’d share a quick update.

I was diagnosed Feb 2017 with a HB1AC of 54 i weighed approximately 17.5 - 18 stone. I found this forum fairly early on and read pages and pages of help and advice. I'd like to share an update of where i'm at and how i got here.

After being diagnosed i decided to ignore the doctors push for Metforim and follow a low carb diet (without the high fat)/with a great reduction in calories, essentially consuming 900-1200 calories a day and to exercise every day (my version of the Newcastle diet). I managed to crash of considerable weight quickly and maintain blood sugars (dropping to 13 stone)

Over the summer i started to reintroduce carbs and up the calorie intake to a normal level, whilst maintaining the exercise. The weight loss stopped pain in my knees and back id had for years and allowed me to take up running again. In addition i started weight training and mountain biking as well.

Since last summer, I've kept the exercise up doing 4/5 runs of approximately 15 20 miles total, 1/2 MTB sessions and 4 weight sessions a week (if anyone's interested my strava is Adrian Holmes), putting on half a stone of predominantly muscle.

My diet now looks like this:
Breakfast - Protein Shake 3/4 bits of fruit
Lunch - Salad or Pack of sandwiches and a snack
Dinner - Whatever we are eating as a family, no limits on carbs
Snack - a bar of chocolate
(Approximately 2300 calories)

Having said that i will often splurge at the weekend and all meals will become a carb fest. But check myself afterwards an have had no spikes in blood sugars.

I got my results back today my HB1AC is now down to 30. I wanted to give this update as i know it would have been the advice id have liked to read 15 months ago.

A couple of points (i really want to avoid a slamming like JCBMAN);
- I'm not to interested if i am in remission or not, i'm more than happy to stay on the register and get yearly checks. I fully intend to continue checking myself in between.
- I accept that my current levels may change overtime and at that point i fully intend to moderate for as long as possible.
- I didn't do (as was suggested) a glucose test, but i did eat 400 grams of sugar and see what my blood sugars went to, they started at 5.2, went upto 8.5 after an hour and then to 6.8 after 2 hours. In all fairness i have no idea what this means, but it made me feel better (well long term better, short term ill).
- If i was to guess i'd say the combination of excercise have allowed the good blood sugar control.
- One last point that really worried me in Feb 2017, was 'i'm never going to be able to drink again', to be honest at first i avoided going out. I was more than happy to drink wine and gin at home, but didn't want to in a pub. I did however consume just as many units as pre diagnosis (probably to many). I did get over my weird fear and ventured into a pub for a wine (which strangely enough was completely fine!!!). I do now go out and drink beer, i don't do it that often, but even after a 4 stay stag do in Bordeaux i had no real impact on blood sugars.

All the best to everyone and thankyou for the advice, i'll continue to look at the forum and chip in occasionally.

Adrian
 
Well don you!

Excellent result. Keep at it. Your a winner
 
Now that's what I call a reversal! I'm at home with a gin, but raising my glass to you.
 
A bar of chocolate and no limit on carbs?

Wow...very brave!

CONGRATULATIONS!!!
 

Hi Adrian

This is great news and well done. Keep up the good work

I was diagnosed in July 17 with a hb1ac of 155 my last blood test was 42. I agreed to the tablets which I felt has helped to get down to this number. But I do want to come off these tablets as the side effects are not great.
So I will need go work harder on my low carb diet. I’m not a drinker but I need to increase my exercise.
 
Thumb up for you. Congrats.
 
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