I need to share this somewhere ...

[Widgets]

In June I went for routine blood tests because I have high blood pressure and am on medication for that. A follow up telephone appointment with the GP told me that I was pre-diabetic. Although he didn't give me the number for my A1C. He suggested an appointment with a diabetes nurse specialist, and he did mention the words 'low carb'. I asked if I could get a re-test in 3 months instead and try to do something about it on my own. I have done low-carb in the past and lost a lot of weight (and put most of it back on)

I am due for my next blood test later this week, although given the current state of things here in the UK I'm not totally sure it will happen. I've not heard about a cancellation yet, so I'm optimistic.

Anyway. I went hard on low-carb, started exercising more - I now walk 5 - 6 miles a day, from a base of basically 0. (Aside, I'm using these: https://www.theconqueror.events/ as incentive, and for me they're really working. I also treat my 5 miles as 'medicine' so I do them because they're good for me.)

I got a glucose meter from Amazon, with reasonably priced strips. I track those numbers with the MySugr app - which I really don't like, but it's free and it does do what I need it to, so I'll stick with it. I weigh myself every morning.

And now - well, at the start of the summer my BMI was 36.9. As of this morning it was 29.8. I know about the limitations of BMI for individuals, but as a milestone I am pretty **** pleased with myself. My knees no longer hurt when I go upstairs. I recover quickly from walking a few miles. I am happy on low-carb - I've been vegetarian for a few years, but have added some fish back to my diet for the Omega-3 oils and some more variety.

I recently got access to my results on the Patient Access site, my A1C was only just into pre-diabetic range, but had been creeping up for a few years, so I assume that I would have carried on that route to becoming type-2 relatively quickly. I think that I've reversed that now (if MySugr is to be believed I definitely have)

A lot of the credit has to go to this forum. It is so friendly, informative and supportive here. I fully intend to keep on keeping on, but for today I am going to celebrate. I'll have a piece of 100% Montezuma chocolate (recommended somewhere on here, and I like it a lot. The orange flavour one especially), and ... well, another walk.

 

[jonathan183]

Good luck with the HbA1c and keep up the good work

 

[Widgets]

Good luck with the HbA1c and keep up the good work

Thank you - I just hope I get to have the test this week. If I don't I might consider paying for one of the home/DiY kits that you can get. I'd rather have it 'officially' via the NHS and GP though.

 

[SuNuman]

In June I went for routine blood tests because I have high blood pressure and am on medication for that. A follow up telephone appointment with the GP told me that I was pre-diabetic. Although he didn't give me the number for my A1C. He suggested an appointment with a diabetes nurse specialist, and he did mention the words 'low carb'. I asked if I could get a re-test in 3 months instead and try to do something about it on my own. I have done low-carb in the past and lost a lot of weight (and put most of it back on)

I am due for my next blood test later this week, although given the current state of things here in the UK I'm not totally sure it will happen. I've not heard about a cancellation yet, so I'm optimistic.

Anyway. I went hard on low-carb, started exercising more - I now walk 5 - 6 miles a day, from a base of basically 0. (Aside, I'm using these: https://www.theconqueror.events/ as incentive, and for me they're really working. I also treat my 5 miles as 'medicine' so I do them because they're good for me.)

I got a glucose meter from Amazon, with reasonably priced strips. I track those numbers with the MySugr app - which I really don't like, but it's free and it does do what I need it to, so I'll stick with it. I weigh myself every morning.

And now - well, at the start of the summer my BMI was 36.9. As of this morning it was 29.8. I know about the limitations of BMI for individuals, but as a milestone I am pretty **** pleased with myself. My knees no longer hurt when I go upstairs. I recover quickly from walking a few miles. I am happy on low-carb - I've been vegetarian for a few years, but have added some fish back to my diet for the Omega-3 oils and some more variety.

I recently got access to my results on the Patient Access site, my A1C was only just into pre-diabetic range, but had been creeping up for a few years, so I assume that I would have carried on that route to becoming type-2 relatively quickly. I think that I've reversed that now (if MySugr is to be believed I definitely have)

A lot of the credit has to go to this forum. It is so friendly, informative and supportive here. I fully intend to keep on keeping on, but for today I am going to celebrate. I'll have a piece of 100% Montezuma chocolate (recommended somewhere on here, and I like it a lot. The orange flavour one especially), and ... well, another walk.

Very well done. X. If anyone deserves one small treat; is you. X

 

[Widgets]

Very well done. X. If anyone deserves one small treat; is you. X

Thank you - I've just celebrated with a cheese omelette for my tea

 

[ArtistBristol]

Hi, I have come back to Diabetes UK forums after about 5 years!
I've lived with type 2 for 16 years. I wanted to share my experience with "Fast 800".
So my type 2 blood sugar readings went up and up for years, my weight went up and up, as of the end of August this year I was 2 & a half stone over my recommended BMI weight.
At least a stone of that was due to the lockdowns, with hardly any exercise and comfort eating. Because of my disabilities, there are lots of exercises which I can't do.
I have been on on 4 metformin per day, 2 gliclazide and 2 Anagliptin since last November.
So I've already been told I've got diabetic eye damage, not good for me as an artist!
All that weight is bad for my arthritis and my heart. It all seemed inevitably going in one direction, plus with the pandemic and no in - person appointments, a lack of contact with my diabetic nurse at the GP.
Over the years I've tried everything - seeing nutritionists, personal trainers, tried different diets. I gave up alcohol 3 years ago - dropped 3000 calories a week, the scales didn't move an ounce! Because giving up alcohol led to an increased sugar addiction.
So I started the 800 diet, with intermittent fasting 3 weeks ago. ( Not purchasing the diet plan, just doing my own version).
After 3 weeks I lost 12 lbs, and that's with some cheating. ( Its so hard to cut out bread)!
I'm well aware that this could be just water weight, so I have doubled down on any cheating, and have kept up a regime of walking every day. I feel loads better already, and don't feel hungry.
But the best result is my blood sugar - I've tested at all times of day/ night, and it's now consistently between 4 and 6.6
As far as I'm aware, that means my diabetes is already in remission, for the first time in 16 years! I've already cut my medication in half. ( In case I go too low when I'm on a long walk).
I'm starting week 4 of Fast 800 on Monday. I only weigh myself once a week on Monday morning, so I'm fascinated to see what the scales say!
For the first time I feel that I've got this under control and hope to get to my healthy weight in time for my annual check up in November. It's my goal to be able to walk into my diabetic nurse's office, after not seeing her for a year, and see the look on her face!
I feel very confident that I will be able to carry on this healthy lifestyle after I reach my goal weight.
I hope my experience might encourage other people.

 

[Widgets]

Back here again to update rather than starting a new thread.

As of this morning's weigh in: there is 30kg less of me than there was in early summer. That is all down to low carb and a few miles walking a day.

I am about 6kg off a BMI of 25 (I know BMI has many issues and is a very very blunt tool, but it is a tool I am happy to use as part of my approach), I intend to go at least that far and then assess where I am and how I'm doing. My waist measurement is still a couple of inches more than it should be - I have always carried a large proportion of excess flab behind my belly button. My hips have always been at least a couple of sizes smaller than my waist.

My blood pressure, according to my home monitor is well into a good, normal range (from terrifying 'blimey, you're about to explode' levels in 2018), and my resting pulse rate has dropped by over 10bpm.

I am a huge fan of numbers, records and 'my body, my science project' approaches.

 

[NicoleC1971]

In June I went for routine blood tests because I have high blood pressure and am on medication for that. A follow up telephone appointment with the GP told me that I was pre-diabetic. Although he didn't give me the number for my A1C. He suggested an appointment with a diabetes nurse specialist, and he did mention the words 'low carb'. I asked if I could get a re-test in 3 months instead and try to do something about it on my own. I have done low-carb in the past and lost a lot of weight (and put most of it back on)

I am due for my next blood test later this week, although given the current state of things here in the UK I'm not totally sure it will happen. I've not heard about a cancellation yet, so I'm optimistic.

Anyway. I went hard on low-carb, started exercising more - I now walk 5 - 6 miles a day, from a base of basically 0. (Aside, I'm using these: https://www.theconqueror.events/ as incentive, and for me they're really working. I also treat my 5 miles as 'medicine' so I do them because they're good for me.)

I got a glucose meter from Amazon, with reasonably priced strips. I track those numbers with the MySugr app - which I really don't like, but it's free and it does do what I need it to, so I'll stick with it. I weigh myself every morning.

And now - well, at the start of the summer my BMI was 36.9. As of this morning it was 29.8. I know about the limitations of BMI for individuals, but as a milestone I am pretty **** pleased with myself. My knees no longer hurt when I go upstairs. I recover quickly from walking a few miles. I am happy on low-carb - I've been vegetarian for a few years, but have added some fish back to my diet for the Omega-3 oils and some more variety.

I recently got access to my results on the Patient Access site, my A1C was only just into pre-diabetic range, but had been creeping up for a few years, so I assume that I would have carried on that route to becoming type-2 relatively quickly. I think that I've reversed that now (if MySugr is to be believed I definitely have)

A lot of the credit has to go to this forum. It is so friendly, informative and supportive here. I fully intend to keep on keeping on, but for today I am going to celebrate. I'll have a piece of 100% Montezuma chocolate (recommended somewhere on here, and I like it a lot. The orange flavour one especially), and ... well, another walk.

Your discipline in finding a solution then sticking to it is brilliant. Keep telling yourself that as I was informed today that only 1 in 400* type 2 diabetics achieve remission which is shocking when you consider you took some simple steps (finding this forum, getting a bg monitor and upping your mileage as medicine!)
*I think this stat came from https://lowcarbfreshwell.co.uk/evidence/
A low carb GP practice which is really well put together and even has an app if you need inspiration that you may not get from your own surgery.

 

[Widgets]

Your discipline in finding a solution then sticking to it is brilliant. Keep telling yourself that as I was informed today that only 1 in 400* type 2 diabetics achieve remission which is shocking when you consider you took some simple steps (finding this forum, getting a bg monitor and upping your mileage as medicine!)
*I think this stat came from https://lowcarbfreshwell.co.uk/evidence/
A low carb GP practice which is really well put together and even has an app if you need inspiration that you may not get from your own surgery.

I had/have it easier than full blown type 2 people, I was into prediabetic territory so it has been relatively easy for me to get the numbers down again. I suspect I have quite a lot more wiggle room than a lot of people.