Footsteps In The Sand

Guzzler said:

I had to google Manolo. Ohh My Days! I need him to adopt me.

Click to expand...

You made me google Manolo as well, @Guzzler , and got him as a result. Ah, well, to each their own ! You'll have a very happy adoptive father with him

Antje77 said:

You made me google Manolo as well, @Guzzler , and got him as a result. Ah, well, to each their own ! You'll have a very happy adoptive father with him
View attachment 27626

Click to expand...

P'raps not then, eh?

haha! Manolo looks like he needs the money but I'd go for something like this
https://www.annscottage.com/gul-3-2mm-power-slipper-black-grey-107582

or something on these lines

https://www.amazon.co.uk/QIMAOO-Bar...8&qid=1531859201&sr=1-10&keywords=sport+shoes

bsandie said:

I can't reply properly to all the post with links as I'm not allowed yet but thanks for all the messages and suggestions. And Manolo looks so happy...i bet he walks around in bare feet given the chance!

Click to expand...

Just post some more and reply to other posts as well and you'll be able to do everything you'll want on the forum in no time. Happy to have you here!

Seeing just now this is your first post, we must all have overlooked it. So a belated welcome to the forum and tagging @daisy1 for you. She'll post a very informative welcoming information sheet on this thread

bulkbiker said:

@Guzzler @Knikki
https://www.proidee.co.uk/?P=200322...MI__6S5Oqm3AIVwR4bCh2XvwxFEAQYASABEgKFufD_BwE

Click to expand...

I have three pairs of Vibrams, and whilst it took a week or so to get used to them I am pretty happy with them. The driver was travel, I don't check luggage and trainers take up too much space in my carry on. Initially I found it tricky getting them on - lining up the toes - but after a few days it became second nature.

MikeyJ said:

Hi bsandie, I live in Cornwall so there's no way i'm giving up walking barefoot on sandy beaches but will probably wear those slip on rubber thingys if I'm at a rocky part of the coast. We make you own choice with the advice but for me it's the same as when they told me alcohol is probably not a good idea!

Click to expand...

@MikeyJ you are sooo lucky. Cornwall is my absolute favourite place. Was there 10 days ago in Watergate Bay and am missing it so much. Have been going at least once a year for the last 25 years.

@bsandie

Hello Bsandie and welcome to the Forum Here is the Basic Information we give to new members and I hope you will find it useful. Ask as many questions as you want and someone will 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 well over 235,000 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

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.

Over 145,000 people have taken part in the Low Carb Program - a 10 week structured education course that is helping people lose weight and reduce medication dependency by explaining the science behind carbs, insulin and GI.

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 blood glucose 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.
Take part in Diabetes.co.uk digital education programs and improve your understanding. Most of these are free.

• Low Carb Program - it's made front-page news of the New Scientist and The Times. Developed with 20,000 people with type 2 diabetes; 96% of people who take part recommend it... find out why
  
  
• Hypo Program - improve your understanding of hypos. There's a version for people with diabetes, parents/guardians of children with type 1, children with type 1 diabetes, teachers and HCPs.
  

I have recently bought Beach shoes similar to the Gul ones...in Aldi. Cheap as chips and do the job on stony beaches. Sandy beaches I still enjoy walking barefoot. Many beach supplies shop in U.K. Seaside resorts sell these wet suit type shoes with rubber/ plastic soles for under £10. Cornwall is full of them.

PenguinMum said:

Watergate Bay and am missing it so much

Click to expand...

Watergate bay one of my favorite places too when I was stationed at RAF St Morgan in the summer after work it was straight down to Watergate Bay until 9 or 10 at night.

I walk barefoot when I would like to and always at home , but I do have gout in my feet and therefor I mostly walk in fitflop shoes because their soles are great for hurting feet

If diabetes is not totally under control our healing of wounds and infections and total inflammation in our body can end up in life threatening conditions very fast ; that’s why the advice to wear closed comfortable shoes is a very good advice to many diabetics ,

So if ones blood glucose is not normal well consider if a foot wound is worth getting and maybe causing either amputation or death in the worst case

PenguinMum said:

@MikeyJ you are sooo lucky. Cornwall is my absolute favourite place. Was there 10 days ago in Watergate Bay and am missing it so much. Have been going at least once a year for the last 25 years.

Click to expand...

You got your timing right this year with the weather!

I walk barefoot as much as I can. Always looked after my feet decades before I became T2. Not going to alter that now. Of course whilst I am gardening I take risks but that’s life. I dropped a large plank on my foot last week...resulted in wave of bad language but only temporary swelling. Tetanus jab is wise move. Regular inspections if you have sensory impairment would be smart. Enjoy the sensations!