Finally taking this seriously

Hi barxman and welcome!
First let me post a link to our useful info:
https://www.diabetes.co.uk/forum/threads/basic-information-for-newly-diagnosed-diabetics.17088/
Good to see you’ve taken LCHF and self testing on board. That’s how many of us have got our type 2 under control. Keep logging in and you’ll get all the help and support you need

barxman said:

Hi, I'm a new member - guess I'm looking for some feedback.

I've had type 2 for 5+ years now. Initially, I avoided sugar and tried to exercise more regularly, but over the years, the number of times I would 'cheat' and have a cake or something would increase. Couldn't have a cup of tea without a biscuit. Never really tried to avoid any savoury foods at all. Over time I started to fall foul of some of the issues of the disease - reducing mental acuity, fatigue, and constant napping - but not the pleasant "40-winks" type; instead it was more like I was being dragged down into my grave. Could have been down to age, stress? Not good, but not definite enough for me to act.

I was kidding myself.

I got separated, moved country, got married, and there were other things to worry about for a time — years of damage.

Of all things, crippling procrastination was the thing that was finally pushing me to take a hard look at my relationship with the disease. Then I received a doctor's request to come in for my first UK diabetic check-up - and I know that going in with very high scores would mean insulin. THAT SCARES ME. So I got a Libre sensor and started measuring - seeing scores of 23-24 in the first few days, and an A1C estimate of 11.7% Checking online, I could see how awful those numbers are.

So - here we are three weeks later and on a crash LCHF diet. Seems to be helping. My peaks stay under 12, and I'm about 55-60% of the time in the 5.8-9 target range that the Libre app suggests. A1C estimate is 8.7%. I seem to suffer a high peak of dawn phenomenon, so I've tried IF once and will probably do that 2 or 3 times a week. Fasting for a morning wasn't so challenging.

I seem to be sharper and have more energy, but there are still moments (especially in the morning) of fatigue.
The shift in diet is a drama. Visiting restaurants is an exercise in frustration. No more beans on toast, Pot Noodles, curries with rice or naan bread, apple crumble and custard. No more biscuits for my tea!

On the other hand - turns out mangetout is edible for humans, sauteed cabbage is lovely, broccoli and cauliflower with cream cheese sauce is fab. Careful seasoning and the occasional teaspoon of monosodium glutamate helps a lot. It's a rollercoaster of salads and omelettes and cheese and blackberries and cream - and I can never get off it.

TL;DR - I've been an idiot. I am finally doing something about it. LCHF is hard.

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Eating out is a challenge, and I avoided it in the first year or so, because I was terrified to ask for adjustments. Turns out, if you ask nicely, everyone's quite willing to help in whatever way they can. No-one turned around to bite me or anything. So.... When out I order meat, fish or poultry, I ask for extra veggies or salad instead of potatoes/fries/bread. Eggs are an option, salads without bread/croutons... Even McD's'll give me a bunless burger. It's do-able, you just have to get a feel for it. Check menu's online before going somewhere if you're unsure. If I go to a city I'm not familiar with, I'm usually the one to figure out where to park and such, so i'm tackling google maps anyway, might as well check the food options.. Maybe not have a cookie with tea, but I have to admit I did share one with my husband this weekend. (I am on a ketogenic diet, so eat 20 grams of carbs a day or less. Half a small cookie fitted in just fine, as I'd had exactly 0 carbs that day up to that point, and I was well into the afternoon.). Figure out what works for you. And if you have trouble with that, give a shout here, we can help.

I'm glad you're finally taking your T2 seriously. It makes life a lot more enjoyable if you can actually live it.
Jo

barxman said:

Hi, I'm a new member - guess I'm looking for some feedback.

I've had type 2 for 5+ years now. Initially, I avoided sugar and tried to exercise more regularly, but over the years, the number of times I would 'cheat' and have a cake or something would increase. Couldn't have a cup of tea without a biscuit. Never really tried to avoid any savoury foods at all. Over time I started to fall foul of some of the issues of the disease - reducing mental acuity, fatigue, and constant napping - but not the pleasant "40-winks" type; instead it was more like I was being dragged down into my grave. Could have been down to age, stress? Not good, but not definite enough for me to act.

I was kidding myself.

I got separated, moved country, got married, and there were other things to worry about for a time — years of damage.

Of all things, crippling procrastination was the thing that was finally pushing me to take a hard look at my relationship with the disease. Then I received a doctor's request to come in for my first UK diabetic check-up - and I know that going in with very high scores would mean insulin. THAT SCARES ME. So I got a Libre sensor and started measuring - seeing scores of 23-24 in the first few days, and an A1C estimate of 11.7% Checking online, I could see how awful those numbers are.

So - here we are three weeks later and on a crash LCHF diet. Seems to be helping. My peaks stay under 12, and I'm about 55-60% of the time in the 5.8-9 target range that the Libre app suggests. A1C estimate is 8.7%. I seem to suffer a high peak of dawn phenomenon, so I've tried IF once and will probably do that 2 or 3 times a week. Fasting for a morning wasn't so challenging.

I seem to be sharper and have more energy, but there are still moments (especially in the morning) of fatigue.
The shift in diet is a drama. Visiting restaurants is an exercise in frustration. No more beans on toast, Pot Noodles, curries with rice or naan bread, apple crumble and custard. No more biscuits for my tea!

On the other hand - turns out mangetout is edible for humans, sauteed cabbage is lovely, broccoli and cauliflower with cream cheese sauce is fab. Careful seasoning and the occasional teaspoon of monosodium glutamate helps a lot. It's a rollercoaster of salads and omelettes and cheese and blackberries and cream - and I can never get off it.

TL;DR - I've been an idiot. I am finally doing something about it. LCHF is hard.

Click to expand...

I'm proud of you for taking control of the situation, I'll admit that I was the same way when I first became diabetic. One whole year of binging and hating myself lead me to the brink but taking control and holding yourself accountable? Brilliant. I know it is hard at first but think of how you feel and what you can do in those situations to change things. Finding little things to reward yourself with that are not food based did wonders for me. Focus on the positives and keep on trucking, you can do this and I know things will get better. As for dawn phenomenon? I managed to kick that to the curb lately with fasting levels now consistently in the 4's, giving your body a break will always do it some good.

Again, rooting for you!

barxman said:

Cheers mate. It's great point. Food is definitely something I 'treat' myself with. Finding good alternatives would help me self-manage. In the meantime, I have found that Hartley's 10 cal Jelly is very nice and < 1g carbs.

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Used that myself! Still do in fact when I feel like being a lil' naughty along with diet drinks. These days it's getting myself some new clothes or parts for my computer that I saved by not buying my usual £30 junk binge per month.

(Yes I really did spend that much)