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Greetings

S

Saramel

Active Member
Messages
33
Location
Portsmouth
Type of diabetes
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Hi, I'm a 48 year old lady who was diagnosed 3 years ago. I have 3 children of my own and 3 I inherited although most of them are grown up. I look at 2 of my children and can see them heading for diabetes but don't seem to get through to them. I'm not very good at controlling it myself so I thought I'd come on here and see if I can do a lot better so I am a better role model for them.
 
Hello Saramel,
It is great that you have joined. I am 10 years older than you but have three children of my own and my husband has 4 and all seven are older than 22 years. I too can see one of mine looking so much like me before I lost my weight and he is only 33 years old. He works in Europe as a tour guide and has been in the hospitality industry for about 12 years so the offers of alcohol and food are there all the time.
His cholesterol levels are scary according to a London Hospital and he embarked on following their advice..... rolled oats etc. He is very loathe to turn his camera on when we Skype these days but has been reading my stuff. About 4 weeks ago he emailed telling me he had no time to read books but would I send him a list of foods he should be eating. We are making changes here I feel. He is paying us a visit in Australia in a few weeks so we will have three weeks to answer his questions and hopefully send him off better informed. My other two already do well.
Leading by example seems to be the go. Have women asking me at exercise group for my recipes after watching my 19 kg weight loss over 12 months.
My 83 year old parents are another story. Not overweight but Mum has had impaired BGLs in the past but dementia might be not far away!
You have the right attitude, you will make a difference.
Cheers Alison
 
Hi Saramel - It's good to meet you!

I'm a Type 2 like yourself who was diagnosed more than nine years ago. I'm on diet and metformin and I'm doing just fine since I discovered the harmful effect that starchy carbohydrate was having on my blood glucose levels. I've got my HbA1c down from 9.4% to 5.1% by changing my diet.

By far the most important thing that I did was to cut back on the starchy carbohydrates - i.e. cereals, bread, potatoes mainly but also pasta and rice to a lesser extent too. That usually leads to a big improvement in blood glucose levels - and quickly too.

Do you test - because that's a good idea too?

Very best wishes - John
 
Hi Saramel,

Welcome to the forum!

Nigel
 
John aka Wallycorker said:
Hi Saramel - It's good to meet you!

I'm a Type 2 like yourself who was diagnosed more than nine years ago. I'm on diet and metformin and I'm doing just fine since I discovered the harmful effect that starchy carbohydrate was having on my blood glucose levels. I've got my HbA1c down from 9.4% to 5.1% by changing my diet.

By far the most important thing that I did was to cut back on the starchy carbohydrates - i.e. cereals, bread, potatoes mainly but also pasta and rice to a lesser extent too. That usually leads to a big improvement in blood glucose levels - and quickly too.

Do you test - because that's a good idea too?

Very best wishes - John
Click to expand...

When I was first diagnosed I tested regularly and found the advice given by the DSN totally at odds with what I thought I should do but I did follow that advice for a while. As my lipids were also out of kilter I was trying to eat low fat but that meant higher sugar in products. Things didn't improve and I eventually read Dr Atkins' book which really made sense. I lost quite a lot of weight, felt really good, my blood sugar levels were about 6 and my triglycerides fell through the floor reducing from 4 times the acceptable amount to being marginally high (sorry, can't remember the figures). However, I just can't seem to be able to stick to an eating plan and now I am heavier than ever, feeling tired, overly hot and definitely depressed. This morning after a tearful chat with my hubby I decided I can't go on like this and I must get back on the low carb eating plan. Over the last 2 days my bg has been 11.8 and 12.6 when I've tested.

I know I must plan my food more carefully but, if I am honest, this lifelong watch is so depressing although I know the alternative would be worse. My mantra has to be, "I MUST STOP COMMITTING SUICIDE SLOWLY WITH MY TEETH!" :D

I'm reading through the recipes on the forum and getting ready to plan my next week's diet.
 
Hi Sarmel, welcome - and big hugs 'cos I think you need them! :)

I am sorry you are feeling so down but at least you know what you need to do to help you improve things and you have also found this site where you will find lots of support. :D

Eventually you will find that you don't need to be as strict as dear old Atkins but although you will find that you can have the odd so-called treat you probably won't want it. 8)

You need to plan your menus and shop for them always making sure that you have some really scrummy things to look forward to whilst keeping within your eating plan.

You can do it and it will gradually become easier as you go along. You remember how good it felt when you were doing so well before and just keep that in your mind. 8)
 
Thank you for all your lovely welcomes. I'm already feeling a little more positive this evening and it certainly helps if I can talk to people who understand. My mother and aunt are diabetic too but I think they have a competition to see who can be the most diabetic! :lol:
 
Ooh dear, Saramel, keep your fingers in your ears when they are doing the ‘oneupmanship’ – you really don’t need that! :roll:

Make a plan, get busy, keep well and smile lots! 8)
 
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