Finally getting some where :)

craigieboy001 · Dec 9, 2010

i got diagnose with type 2 diabetes in october last year and my sugar levels were anything between 12 - 20!

i'll admit i was in denial that i had it and really didnt do anything major to change my diet or anything like that. i was prescribed metformin tablet (2 twice a day) and have been taking them, i hadnt really made any change to my diet although the specialist i went to see at the hospital told me more or less that i needed to go on a diet.

i'm around 20 stone and 6ft, im no shriking violet and i do have a big frame although i dont look like a big fat pie!

started to take things seriously 2 weeks ago and have been on a strict diet since then, eating my breakfast (mainly around 40 grammes of cerial such as rice crispies with semi skimmed milk) dinner which mainly consists of soup and a few crackerbread , Tea mostly weight watcher micro meals and a packet of micro veg.

snacks are few and far between although i have maybe a bit of fruit or a packet of baked crisps (low in fat and calories)

i know ive defiantely lost weight as my jeans are starting to become quite loose and t-shirts and jackets that were tight are now giving me a bit more room!

to top it off, my blood levels are down to 5/6 WITHOUT taking my metformin! i havent taken it for 2 days and im delighted at the progress that i am making.

i decided that i need to change myself for the better as im not happy being a big lump and dont have confidence at the best of times. now things are looking up and im getting happy!

ive to arrange an appointment at the doctors soon to have my bloods tested and hopefully they will notice the difference

Craig

sugarless sue · Dec 9, 2010

Welcome to the Forum, Craig.

How often are you testing your blood sugar levels during the day, when are you getting these levels of 5/6 ?

I know that you are not newly diagnosed but here is the basic advice we give to new diabetics, I hope some of it may be of help to you.

If you read the advice, you will see that the Carb intake is actually more important than Calories to a Diabetic and reducing them will not only help bring down your blood sugar levels but also help you lose weight.

Here is the advice we usually give to newly diagnosed Diabetics. We hope that these few ideas gained through experience help you to gain control and give you some understanding of Diabetes. This forum doesn't always follow the recommended dietary advice, you have to work out what works for you as we are all different.

It's not just 'sugars' you need to avoid, Diabetes is an inability to process glucose properly. Carbohydrate converts, in the body, to glucose. So it makes sense to reduce the amount of carbohydrate that you eat which includes sugars.

The main carbs to avoid OR reduce are the complex or starchy Carbohydrates such as bread, potatoes, pasta, rice, starchy root veg and also any flour based products. The starchy carbs all convert 100% to glucose in the body and raise the blood sugar levels significantly.

If you are on Insulin you may find that reducing the carb intake also means that you can reduce your dose of Insulin. This can help you to keep weight gain down as Insulin tends to make you put on weight and eventually cause Insulin resistance. This should be done slowly so as not to cause hypos.

The way to find out how different foods affect you is to do regular daily testing and keep a food diary for a couple of weeks. If you test just before eating, then two hours after eating, you will see the effect of certain foods on your blood glucose levels. Some foods, which are slow acting Carbohydrates, are absorbed more slowly so you may need to test three or even four hours later to see the effect that these have on your blood glucose levels.

Buy yourself a carb counter book (you can get these on-line) and you will be able to work out how much carbs you are eating, when you test, the reading two hours after should be roughly the same as the before eating reading, if it is then that meal was fine, if it isn’t then you need to check what you have eaten and think about reducing the portion size of carbs.

When you are buying products check the total Carbohydrate content, this includes the sugar content. Do not just go by the amount of sugar on the packaging as this is misleading to a Diabetic.

As for a tester, try asking the Nurse/Doctor and explain that you want to be proactive in managing your own Diabetes and therefore need to test so that you can see just how foods affect your blood sugar levels. Hopefully this will work! Sometimes they are not keen to give Type 2’s the strips on prescription, (in the UK) but you can but try !!

If you are an Insulin user in theory you should have no problem getting test strips.

The latest 2010 NICE guidelines for Bg levels are as follows:
Fasting (waking).......between 4 - 7 mmol/l........(Type 1 & 2)
2 hrs after meals......no more than 8.5 mmol/l.....( Type 2)

2hrs after meals....... no more than 9 mmol/l ......(Type 1)

If you are able to keep the post meal numbers lower, so much the better.

It also helps if you can do 30 minutes moderate exercise a day. It doesn't have to be strenuous.

The above is just general advice and it is recommended that you discuss with your HCP before making any changes. You can also ask questions on the forum on anything that is not clear.

Sue/Ken.

craigieboy001 · Dec 9, 2010

Hi sue, im testing my levels 3 times a day, around 2 hours after breakfast, 1 1/2 hours after lunch then around 8 oclock at night time.

im finding the diet relatively easy to stick to and avoiding anything with major sugar in it, goign to be starting the gym in a couple of weeks too and this should help as well

cugila · Dec 9, 2010

Craig.
Is there any chance you could test immediately before a meal and then 1 and 2 hrs after meals for a few days.....see what sort of readings you get. It would also be helpful to see what your Bg levels immediately on waking and also immediately before going to bed are.

Your portion of cereal (40g) is very large and also high in carbs.......it may also need to be tested after 2 hrs, possibly 3 or 4 hrs as it will take longer to show the effect on your Bg level.

Do you know the carb content of each of the 'micro meals' that you are using ?

You seem to be going in the right direction, however we might be able to make further suggestions which could help you.

craigieboy001 · Dec 9, 2010

hi cugila

i will start checking myself at those times to get a proper reading, i am really open to suggestions on eating as to be honest i'm not totally clued up

my biggest regret was i was on a diet just over 2 years ago and lost 3 stone in 12 weeks, wish i had stuck at it and maybe wouldnt be in this situation! but as they say.. you learn from your mistakes! so im even more determined to do it this time and keep it off.

i would welcome suggestions for a low carb breakfast if anyone has any ideas?

my office has a canteen and serve thingsl ike scrambled eggs etc in the morning

Craig

sugarless sue · Dec 9, 2010

Bacon, eggs and mushrooms. Scrambled eggs are fine, just avoid the toast !

I like an apple with cheese at breakfast time, keeps me going till lunch time.

Try and avoid cereal and toast as these are high in carbs.

Etty · Dec 9, 2010

Hi Craig,
Congratulations on your progress so far. But it's difficult to stay on a diet like your's for more than a few months. A 6-footer like you needs some more substantial food! An easy breakfast is roll-ups. Buy a packet of ham and one of cheese slices from the supermarket, and roll up one of each into a cigar. Add pickles etc. if you like. A few of those should keep you going. Good luck.

craigieboy001 · Dec 9, 2010

thanks for the advice everyone, i will definately take it on board and let you know how i get on

craigieboy001 · Dec 21, 2010

been on the diet 3 weeks now, doing low carb, already dropped a jean size! and old t-shirts are fitting me now, quite pleased at the results but still have a good way to go yet! blood readings have been good as well so definately on the right track

im not missing bread or pasta at all! all good

Sid Bonkers · Dec 21, 2010

Congratulations on your weight and waist loss Craig, keep up the good work

craigieboy001 said:
i do have a big frame ...

Exactly what I used to say when I weighed 18 stone, now an almost trim 13.5 stone so still a bit to go, but I am no longer so big framed :lol:

Finally getting some where :)

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