Hello!

Suewantstolive said:

Hi, I’m Sue. I have Type 2 diabetes and am very overweight (obese). I am on Metformin and also some statin thing to control cholesterol. Over the last few years, I have found my joy in life has begun to fade away. I spend most of my time sitting. I eat things I certainly should not eat and I am drinking too much wine. I’m not much in the world anymore except for work. I feel like I am facing a health mountain I should be climbing but I am somehow paralyzed about it. And over time, my energy level is less and less. It hurts to move. Which makes the whole thing a vicious cycle.

My main reason for joining here is to gain a community and some accountability, to make some friends and to take steps in regaining health alongside people who are maybe trying to do the same thing.

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Hi @Suewantstolive ,

Excellent name you've gotten for yourself. Because you know that living is more than having a beating heart.... It's nice to be able to *do* some actual living, and you still have the will to try and get there, I think... Which is good.

When I was diagnosed I was rather large, and I was so weak I could still cook, but my husband had to cut the meat: I couldn't get a knife through, no matter how well done it was. Chewing was a chore, i was just too tired, my muscles too non-existent. I kept thinking it was my thyroid, so fiddled with meds... Finding out it was T2 diabetes turned everything on its head, and when I started reading about low carbing, after a nasty run-in with side effects, well... That was pretty much a done deal. But I do know this, after all of that. While being active can help when it comes to losing weight and blood sugar control, it's the food that's more important. I see you're filling a hole with it though, -which a lot of people do- but do you think you could see your way to start eating comfort food which is actually diabetes-friendly? I mean, yay for bacon, right? It's filling, but won't raise blood sugars. Pork scratchings, eggs? I just had a hamburger without the bread, a tuna salad with olives and whatnot, a chunk of salmon with mayo... I rather love all of that. Extra dark chocolate... https://josekalsbeek.blogspot.com/2019/11/the-nutritional-thingy.html might help a little. But try to find foods that soothe you, make you feel better, AND not raise your blood glucose. It might be a bit of a search, but it's worth it. As for the wine, well... Yeah. It's not much of a problem for blood glucose, per se, but a lot of us have fatty liver disease, and alcohol would not make it any merrier.

Forget about climbing a mountain. Just pitch a tent where you are right now and look around. Check the view out, and decide what you CAN do. Lots of obstacles left and right, but... What could work for you? Even little changes count. And should there be a bit of a rockslide that puts you back a few paces, there's always tomorrow to start over. Don't give up on yourself just yet, eh.

You're making strides just being honest with yourself about your eating and drinking habits, and about how you feel right now. That's a massive hurdle taken right there.

Good luck!
Jo

Suewantstolive said:

I’m not much in the world anymore except for work. I feel like I am facing a health mountain I should be climbing but I am somehow paralyzed about it. And over time, my energy level is less and less.

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Hi @Suewantstolive , welcome to the forum.

In addition to what others have said above, having high blood glucose tends to make many of us feel very tired, drained of energy, ready to fall asleep, especially after meals. And high blood glucose can cause depressed feelings on a purely physical basis, so even without knowing BG levels are elevated.

Suewantstolive said:

My main reason for joining here is to gain a community and some accountability, to make some friends and to take steps in regaining health alongside people who are maybe trying to do the same thing.

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Wonderful reason to join, just dip your toe in and find your own pace!

I agree with the others above, and we have many members who found they did well on dietary changes while still enjoying food. Diabetes friendly food can include cream and strawberries, bacon and eggs, dark chocolate, some sweet bakes, so maybe it's an option for you to find treats that give you joy without them raising your blood glucose.

Suewantstolive said:

And over time, my energy level is less and less. It hurts to move. Which makes the whole thing a vicious cycle.

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While moving is healthy if our bodies allow, it's not a requirement to get a better grip on your diabetes. Eating strawberries and cream instead of cake, bacon and eggs instead of weetabix or porridge, and nuts, pork scratchings, or 3 minute microwaved cheese crisps instead of regular crisps makes a much bigger difference than exercising.
Oh, and while the wine may not be all that healthy for other reasons, it won't be detrimental to your diabetes.

I know the feeling. Having gone through a difficult few years (nursing then losing both parents), I find I get very little pleasure from life. Work, money, relationships and of course the dreaded diabetes are all getting me down. I rely on wine as a crutch.

I find this place helpful though - you'll get support and advice, not judgement.