Bad girl hoping to turn things around!

Nat_2015

Member
Messages
13
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Hi everyone

I've been here before but stopped when I stopped looking after myself. My profile and also my introduction post in the "answer the questions" thread will given an idea of my background.

I am looking seriously to change my ways after a small slapped wrist last Thursday. My aim in being here is to re-educate myself in how to look after myself. My diabetes nurse explained it like this - "You have a beautiful body. Stop using it like a dustbin and filling it with ****!"

So...here I am. I plan to have a good look around and actually stay this time! I hope to 'meet' some fellow diabetics who will help me improve my levels, my HbA1c results and also help me to grasp how to calculate carbs as it's something i have never learnt to do. I'd also like to think that if not now then at some point I'll be able to give advice to other people too.
 
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poohtiggy

Well-Known Member
Messages
1,365
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Diet only
Dislikes
Getting old and diabetese
Hi everyone

I've been here before but stopped when I stopped looking after myself. My profile and also my introduction post in the "answer the questions" thread will given an idea of my background.

I am looking seriously to change my ways after a small slapped wrist last Thursday. My aim in being here is to re-educate myself in how to look after myself. My diabetes nurse explained it like this - "You have a beautiful body. Stop using it like a dustbin and filling it with ****!"

So...here I am. I plan to have a good look around and actually stay this time! I hope to 'meet' some fellow diabetics who will help me improve my levels, my HbA1c results and also help me to grasp how to calculate carbs as it's something i have never learnt to do. I'd also like to think that if not now then at some point I'll be able to give advice to other people too.
Hello and welcome back to the forum, we all get fed up sometimes and it can be easy to let go of what you already learned. As you have been here before then you will already have an idea of what you should be doing, we are all here to help you stick to that, I do low carb but I don't really count them. However I now know my limits and have managed to keep my levels low for a year now so it's worth sticking with it to make the difference. Good luck
 

daddys1

Well-Known Member
Messages
1,353
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Hi @Nat_2015 & welcome.

You say that you need to know how to calculate Carbs, well you can get the 'Carbs & Cals' book it's all done by pictures over 1700 of all foods pictured on a plate so you can get an idea, also do an app for the phone.

However, most test on here, once just before eating, then again at 1hr and then at 2hr and the aim is not to have an increase of more than 2mmol/l from the starting figure. Once you have tested certain meals/foods you have eaten then you will get to know what you can eat or the amount. You then do not have to test for those particular meals.

People aim for not going above the recommended 7.8mmol/l (some less) 2hrs after a meal.

Some foods affect people differently so you need to test the carby foods and remember read the labels, it's not just 'of which is sugars' it's the total carbohydrates.

Ask as many questions as you want.

Neil
 
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JAY1JAY1

Well-Known Member
Messages
623
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Dislikes
Diabetes
Ok nat first thing I'll do is tag @daisy1 who will give you some very useful info for new members.
Cut the carbs ! Carbs turn to sugar so cut them rice spuds pasta and bread, smaller portions. Then fill up with above ground veg
Fish meat cheese are good eggs are good you will soon get used to it , I love bacon and eggs have a look at the LCHF diet section lots on there to eat , it's not all salads some yes but not all
Let's try to start all over again . YES???
 
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Nat_2015

Member
Messages
13
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Thank you everyone for your replies and encouragement. I've been thinking of either a Low G.I diet or reducing my carbs as I had heard that more and more diabetics are cutting them out, but I think a combination of the 2 would probably work as well. I always worry about the increase in fats as I am already a 'big' girl :)

What I'm worried about is keeping the hypos away. I was on Rosiglitazone and everything was perfect until the lowest dose caused almost constant hypos so I've just had that fear since that additional meds which reduce blood sugar levels will just lead to them. I need to try and trust that the new tablet will help me while I regain control...
 

daisy1

Legend
Messages
26,457
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Dislikes
Cruelty towards animals.
@Nat_2015

Hi Nat and welcome to the forum :)

To add to the very good advice above, here is the information we give to new members and I hope you will find it useful. There is especially a lot of info about carbs. Ask all the questions you want and someone will be able to help.


BASIC INFORMATION FOR NEW MEMBERS

Diabetes is the general term to describe people who have blood that is sweeter than normal. A number of different types of diabetes exist.

A diagnosis of diabetes tends to be a big shock for most of us. It’s far from the end of the world though and on this forum you’ll find over 150,000 people who are demonstrating this.

On the forum we have found that with the number of new people being diagnosed with diabetes each day, sometimes the NHS is not being able to give all the advice it would perhaps like to deliver - particularly with regards to people with type 2 diabetes.

The role of carbohydrate

Carbohydrates are a factor in diabetes because they ultimately break down into sugar (glucose) within our blood. We then need enough insulin to either convert the blood sugar into energy for our body, or to store the blood sugar as body fat.

If the amount of carbohydrate we take in is more than our body’s own (or injected) insulin can cope with, then our blood sugar will rise.

The bad news

Research indicates that raised blood sugar levels over a period of years can lead to organ damage, commonly referred to as diabetic complications.

The good news

People on the forum here have shown that there is plenty of opportunity to keep blood sugar levels from going too high. It’s a daily task but it’s within our reach and it’s well worth the effort.

Controlling your carbs

The info below is primarily aimed at people with type 2 diabetes, however, it may also be of benefit for other types of diabetes as well.
There are two approaches to controlling your carbs:

  • Reduce your carbohydrate intake
  • Choose ‘better’ carbohydrates

Reduce your carbohydrates

A large number of people on this forum have chosen to reduce the amount of carbohydrates they eat as they have found this to be an effective way of improving (lowering) their blood sugar levels.

The carbohydrates which tend to have the most pronounced effect on blood sugar levels tend to be starchy carbohydrates such as rice, pasta, bread, potatoes and similar root vegetables, flour based products (pastry, cakes, biscuits, battered food etc) and certain fruits.

Choosing better carbohydrates

Another option is to replace ‘white carbohydrates’ (such as white bread, white rice, white flour etc) with whole grain varieties. The idea behind having whole grain varieties is that the carbohydrates get broken down slower than the white varieties –and these are said to have a lower glycaemic index.
http://www.diabetes.co.uk/food/diabetes-and-whole-grains.html

The low glycaemic index diet is often favoured by healthcare professionals but some people with diabetes find that low GI does not help their blood sugar enough and may wish to cut out these foods altogether.

Read more on carbohydrates and diabetes

Eating what works for you

Different people respond differently to different types of food. What works for one person may not work so well for another. The best way to see which foods are working for you is to test your blood sugar with a glucose meter.

To be able to see what effect a particular type of food or meal has on your blood sugar is to do a test before the meal and then test after the meal. A test 2 hours after the meal gives a good idea of how your body has reacted to the meal.

The blood sugar ranges recommended by NICE are as follows:

Blood glucose ranges for type 2 diabetes
  • Before meals: 4 to 7 mmol/l
  • 2 hours after meals: under 8.5 mmol/l
Blood glucose ranges for type 1 diabetes (adults)
  • Before meals: 4 to 7 mmol/l
  • 2 hours after meals: under 9 mmol/l
Blood glucose ranges for type 1 diabetes (children)
  • Before meals: 4 to 8 mmol/l
  • 2 hours after meals: under 10 mmol/l
However, those that are able to, may wish to keep blood sugar levels below the NICE after meal targets.

Access to blood glucose test strips

The NICE guidelines suggest that people newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes should be offered:

  • structured education to every person and/or their carer at and around the time of diagnosis, with annual reinforcement and review
  • self-monitoring of plasma glucose to a person newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes only as an integral part of his or her self-management education

Therefore both structured education and self-monitoring of blood glucose should be offered to people with type 2 diabetes. Read more on getting access to bloodglucose testing supplies.

You may also be interested to read questions to ask at a diabetic clinic

Note: This post has been edited from Sue/Ken's post to include up to date information.
 

Nat_2015

Member
Messages
13
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
@daisy1 Thank you for the information. I am so out of control. There is no way I could hit the mmol/l range without starving myself for a couple of days first! Bad girl :( It's all great information though so this is where I start...
 
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Mike d

Expert
Messages
7,997
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Other
Dislikes
idiots who will not learn
Good ... it'll take time @Nat_2015 .... no starving please ..... I reduced mine by over 50% in 3 months.

Glad to hear you're taking this on ... keep goin'

Mike
 
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JAY1JAY1

Well-Known Member
Messages
623
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Dislikes
Diabetes
Well done nat nothing drastic is needed just cut down on the carbs not out just smaller portions
Promise it will work try it and see for your self :):) let us know how you get on
 
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Mrsass

Well-Known Member
Messages
1,188
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Pump
Hey @Nat_2015 welcome back! If you stick around you will get so much help and support from everyone here, do try the LCHF it's surprising how full you will feel doing it, so defo no starving yourself :) x
 
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SueB743

Well-Known Member
Messages
376
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Diet only
Hi and welcome. Takes a bit of time to get your head round a new way of life and to accept that what members have tried and proven to work is just not the more established healthy eating view. I am trying to cut my carbs but not done too well the last couple of weeks as crisps have been calling me. However tonight realised I now fit very comfortably back into some jeans which have not fit for a couple of years so I am off to do an excercise dvd in a few mins time.

It doesn't matter where our inspiration to lead a better way of life comes from as long as we find it. Better eating means better health so ultimately worth it.
 
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Nat_2015

Member
Messages
13
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)

Nat_2015

Member
Messages
13
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Hi and welcome. Takes a bit of time to get your head round a new way of life and to accept that what members have tried and proven to work is just not the more established healthy eating view. I am trying to cut my carbs but not done too well the last couple of weeks as crisps have been calling me. However tonight realised I now fit very comfortably back into some jeans which have not fit for a couple of years so I am off to do an excercise dvd in a few mins time.

It doesn't matter where our inspiration to lead a better way of life comes from as long as we find it. Better eating means better health so ultimately worth it.

Hi Sue :) I've been good for most of this week but yesterday, today and the rest of the weekend I'm out with friends and my husband as it's my birthday :/ I've been using 'fitness pal' to track calories and carbs/fat/protein. I'm a crisp monster too! I think it may be the case that I try to be as careful as I can until Monday and then get back to it. My 2 hours post evening meal is already on the downward pattern though - from 13.7 to 9.1 yesterday (I had protein and salad with no carb other than raw carrot) - even with a birthday lunch with ice cream (!) I'm unable to exercise at the moment as I'm disabled and awaiting surgery. I really ned to do this to get my weight down without the exercise....Here's hoping!
 

Mrsass

Well-Known Member
Messages
1,188
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Pump
Happy birthday @Nat_2015 you do have to allow yourself to enjoy special occasions (or at least I do) so don't worry too much, if you like pork scratchings try and swap crisps for them :) have a good weekend x
 

SueB743

Well-Known Member
Messages
376
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Diet only
Hi Sue :) I've been good for most of this week but yesterday, today and the rest of the weekend I'm out with friends and my husband as it's my birthday :/ I've been using 'fitness pal' to track calories and carbs/fat/protein. I'm a crisp monster too! I think it may be the case that I try to be as careful as I can until Monday and then get back to it. My 2 hours post evening meal is already on the downward pattern though - from 13.7 to 9.1 yesterday (I had protein and salad with no carb other than raw carrot) - even with a birthday lunch with ice cream (!) I'm unable to exercise at the moment as I'm disabled and awaiting surgery. I really ned to do this to get my weight down without the exercise....Here's hoping!
Hi Nat, I think that is a good balance- do what you can most of the time, and allow for the fact that some events with the best will in the world are not going to be your healthiest days - the key is to make sure that the next day is a good day. I use Myfitnesspal too. Sounds like you are already on the right track, those results look great. Hope you have a fantastic birthday weekend, and enjoy yourself :)