Hi everyone. I've only just discovered these boards, and am hoping that I can get some help. I was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes around 8 years ago and have been struggling ever since. I have a big problem in that good food and wine have always been central to my life and also provide tremendous comfort to me during stressful periods. I have tried over and over to reduce my carb intake and stop drinking, but to no avail. I promised myself 2009 would be my year, but it isn't working. I try to shock myself into doing something by reading about the worst medical problems that diabetics can face, but when I want pastry, or rich sauces, or a box of chocolates, nothing else matters. I have already gone from medication to insulin, and my doctor has told me that if I reduce weight and keep to a better diet, I can come off the insulin, but if I don't, I will be on insulin for life, and face a terrible future. What is wrong with me? I am an intelligent woman with a good career, a happy marriage and a good life otherwise. Can anyone help?
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In denial
- Thread starter nannoo
- Start Date
Nanoo the first step in a journey of a thousand miles as Mao once said. Reading your post makes it clear you already are aware of the significant factors that will affect your condition and their impact if not dealt with. Carbohydrates can be addictive and read the many posts on here that say so. To that end as with Being Alchoholic it does eventually come down to you have to want to do something about it. There is after all only one person who can actually do it. To that end you will need to apply yourself and exercise will power. Yes this all sounds very tough love dosnt it .
I recomend you read posts by CHOCOHOLIC whos life experience in this area would i believe benefit you.
Good luck
Dave P
I recomend you read posts by CHOCOHOLIC whos life experience in this area would i believe benefit you.
Good luck
Dave P
Thank you for your post, Dave. But goodness, I am certainly not an alcoholic, I just like good wine, and the odd cocktail!!!
This sounds pathetic, but what got me here (apart from diabetes running in the family) is the fact that I have no willpower, and no desire to exercise. Pathetic yes, I have to find the wherewithal, but how? What's going to get me started? Every day I wake up with good intentions, then something happens and I say "tomorrow will be better". You all have experience with diabetes, and you all started your regimes somehow. Get me off my bum, away from the carbs and sugars that are my downfall. Help me start my new diet regime. Please, I would so appreciate your help.
This sounds pathetic, but what got me here (apart from diabetes running in the family) is the fact that I have no willpower, and no desire to exercise. Pathetic yes, I have to find the wherewithal, but how? What's going to get me started? Every day I wake up with good intentions, then something happens and I say "tomorrow will be better". You all have experience with diabetes, and you all started your regimes somehow. Get me off my bum, away from the carbs and sugars that are my downfall. Help me start my new diet regime. Please, I would so appreciate your help.
tubolard
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Nannoo,
It was easy for me to drop the obvious sugars almost completely from my diet. It wasn't just a question of "Oh, no, they're not good for me", it became, "Oh, no, they're really not good for me". Having said that, now I've got my BG better managed, I do allow myself the occasional treat.
As far as reducing carbs is concerned, I found tasty replacements. The first three months after diagnosis was a lot of fun for us, trying new foods, discovering how they affected my BG. Instead of the easy snacks, I switched to crispbreads or fruit. We still experiment, but we now have a stable set of foods and snacks we buy.
As for exercise, I regularly go hill walking and weight lifting (except we call it the twice weekly shopping trip, the local Tesco is about 1 1/2 miles away). So, if you can, ditch the car, and walk to the shops and back, it makes that cup of tea at the end of the shopping trip worthwhile.
Someone on this board has said their strategy for dealing with supermarkets is to look at the foods and visualise carbs, my tack is to adopt a slightly holier-than-thou attitude to the other shoppers and tell myself that I'm doing me good by ignoring the old foods. With an 11 year old daughter, it's difficult not to buy crisps, sweets, and the other junk, but over the months I've learned not to tease her by doing my Homer Simpson impersonation and watch every mouthful as she tucks into the odd cream cake now and then.
One of the things that is good about this forum is the support we give each other, changing diet is hard work, but it can also be fun.
Regards, Tubs.
It was easy for me to drop the obvious sugars almost completely from my diet. It wasn't just a question of "Oh, no, they're not good for me", it became, "Oh, no, they're really not good for me". Having said that, now I've got my BG better managed, I do allow myself the occasional treat.
As far as reducing carbs is concerned, I found tasty replacements. The first three months after diagnosis was a lot of fun for us, trying new foods, discovering how they affected my BG. Instead of the easy snacks, I switched to crispbreads or fruit. We still experiment, but we now have a stable set of foods and snacks we buy.
As for exercise, I regularly go hill walking and weight lifting (except we call it the twice weekly shopping trip, the local Tesco is about 1 1/2 miles away). So, if you can, ditch the car, and walk to the shops and back, it makes that cup of tea at the end of the shopping trip worthwhile.
Someone on this board has said their strategy for dealing with supermarkets is to look at the foods and visualise carbs, my tack is to adopt a slightly holier-than-thou attitude to the other shoppers and tell myself that I'm doing me good by ignoring the old foods. With an 11 year old daughter, it's difficult not to buy crisps, sweets, and the other junk, but over the months I've learned not to tease her by doing my Homer Simpson impersonation and watch every mouthful as she tucks into the odd cream cake now and then.
One of the things that is good about this forum is the support we give each other, changing diet is hard work, but it can also be fun.
Regards, Tubs.
IanD
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- Type of diabetes
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- Carbohydrates
Hi Nannoo, obviously only you can make a difference to your lifestyle, UNTIL problems arise which force your hand.
Good health & active life is a strong motivation for getting control NOW.
What do you like doing, particularly in company with friends & family? Get involved where you can use your interests & skills, & look away from the things that cause your problems. And know that otherwise you are heading downhill.
Good health & active life is a strong motivation for getting control NOW.
What do you like doing, particularly in company with friends & family? Get involved where you can use your interests & skills, & look away from the things that cause your problems. And know that otherwise you are heading downhill.
chocoholic
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- United Kingdom
Hi nannoo,
As someone else who does not have the greatest willpower in the world, I can sympathize with you.
Having said that, sixfoot is right in what he says about craving for carbs. lessening the more you cut them.That really is true. I tried going the whole hog last year, with the carb. cutting and lasted a matter of weeks. It was then suggested to me to take things a bit slower and that was the best advice I had. That is what I'd advise you to do. Instead of thinking you'll cut carbs. down to a level you can't cope with and then give in, start by tackling the carbs in one meal a day. I was lucky in that I found by cutting the carbs right down in my evening meal (my dinner), my readings plummeted enough to make a considerable difference to my insulin intake and my readings overall are pretty good now. I'm still pondering on whether I'm ready to tackle the second meal of the day but I know it's the sensible thng to do, so I WILL get there.
Secondly, exercise. I joined a walking group (Healthwalks).It's another thing I highly recommend. I have no interest or inclination to join a gym and I know I am not motivated enough to exercise on my own.(Though I won a cross-trainer which I go on in my garage, when it's a bit warmer out there). By joining a group of other walkers, I actually look forward to going. After the initial walk, when I had to brave going on my own, I found everyone so welcoming and we actually have a real laugh, as we enjoy both coastal and countryside walks. Oh and it's free, of course, so that's an added bonus.
If you read the thread entitled "falling off the wagon",you'll see many of us let the halos slip over Christmas. It's actually reassuring when you read that most members are only human and do have days of "giving in". The important thing is to make those days rarer and rarer.Other than at Christmas time, I try not to have "temptation" in the house. Sweets, cakes etc. can stay on the supermarket shelves as far as I'm concerned. That makes sticking to the good stuff so much easier.Out of sight, out of mind.
I would love to have the willpower of Fergus but I don't, so I'm realistic about that and as long as my readings are okay, I accept my level of willpower for what it is.
So, to sum up, take small steps that you can stick to with the carb. cutting. Exercise in a group if at all possible and accept you are not alone in not having cast-iron willpower and when you do fall off the wagon, make it your intention to get straight back on again, without beating yourself up about it. Trust me, you can do it.
All the best, Chocoholic.
As someone else who does not have the greatest willpower in the world, I can sympathize with you.
Having said that, sixfoot is right in what he says about craving for carbs. lessening the more you cut them.That really is true. I tried going the whole hog last year, with the carb. cutting and lasted a matter of weeks. It was then suggested to me to take things a bit slower and that was the best advice I had. That is what I'd advise you to do. Instead of thinking you'll cut carbs. down to a level you can't cope with and then give in, start by tackling the carbs in one meal a day. I was lucky in that I found by cutting the carbs right down in my evening meal (my dinner), my readings plummeted enough to make a considerable difference to my insulin intake and my readings overall are pretty good now. I'm still pondering on whether I'm ready to tackle the second meal of the day but I know it's the sensible thng to do, so I WILL get there.
Secondly, exercise. I joined a walking group (Healthwalks).It's another thing I highly recommend. I have no interest or inclination to join a gym and I know I am not motivated enough to exercise on my own.(Though I won a cross-trainer which I go on in my garage, when it's a bit warmer out there). By joining a group of other walkers, I actually look forward to going. After the initial walk, when I had to brave going on my own, I found everyone so welcoming and we actually have a real laugh, as we enjoy both coastal and countryside walks. Oh and it's free, of course, so that's an added bonus.
If you read the thread entitled "falling off the wagon",you'll see many of us let the halos slip over Christmas. It's actually reassuring when you read that most members are only human and do have days of "giving in". The important thing is to make those days rarer and rarer.Other than at Christmas time, I try not to have "temptation" in the house. Sweets, cakes etc. can stay on the supermarket shelves as far as I'm concerned. That makes sticking to the good stuff so much easier.Out of sight, out of mind.
I would love to have the willpower of Fergus but I don't, so I'm realistic about that and as long as my readings are okay, I accept my level of willpower for what it is.
So, to sum up, take small steps that you can stick to with the carb. cutting. Exercise in a group if at all possible and accept you are not alone in not having cast-iron willpower and when you do fall off the wagon, make it your intention to get straight back on again, without beating yourself up about it. Trust me, you can do it.
All the best, Chocoholic.
Chocoholic, thank you so much. I tend to think everyone else with diabetes is doing well except me!! It's nice to know that others have off days, and I don't have to expect to become perfect in a day. Can you tell me what your blood sugar levels run between, so I know what to expect?
Hi nannoo,
Welcome to the forum first of all, we hope you get as much out of it as the members put into it. Or something like that.
You sound as if you have the three essential ingredients to turn things around - an understanding of the science, an awareness of your problems and the desire to solve them. If we can add the support, encouragement and experience to that, you could soon be on the mend.
Dave is absolutely right about the addictive properties of refined carbs, as I'm sure you agree. I found the first step was obvious - to stop buying them. If you can't imagine life without them, try saving something like chocolate as a weekend reward for a self denial. You might find that if you do this, the taste actually isn't as satisfying as you imagined? It took me a long time to stop wanting things like chocolate, but a 2 week break from it made it taste unpleasantly sweet when I tried it again. Now I seriously don't crave it anymore.
I know lots of people have had success by eating protein or fat to banish the cravings, and that might work too.
Good luck and keep in touch,
fergus
Welcome to the forum first of all, we hope you get as much out of it as the members put into it. Or something like that.
You sound as if you have the three essential ingredients to turn things around - an understanding of the science, an awareness of your problems and the desire to solve them. If we can add the support, encouragement and experience to that, you could soon be on the mend.
Dave is absolutely right about the addictive properties of refined carbs, as I'm sure you agree. I found the first step was obvious - to stop buying them. If you can't imagine life without them, try saving something like chocolate as a weekend reward for a self denial. You might find that if you do this, the taste actually isn't as satisfying as you imagined? It took me a long time to stop wanting things like chocolate, but a 2 week break from it made it taste unpleasantly sweet when I tried it again. Now I seriously don't crave it anymore.
I know lots of people have had success by eating protein or fat to banish the cravings, and that might work too.
Good luck and keep in touch,
fergus
chocoholic
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Well, mostly I run between 4 - 8 but I get lot's of 5's these days. Sometimes I do go far too low though....usually if exercising but I can also go into double figures occasionally too. I can't always fathom out why though. Sometimes I think it's because I've gone too low, as I seem to have lost a bit of hypo awareness lately that may be down to Lantus apparently. I don't know.
To be fair, I was only changed to basal/bolus regime last Autumn and I'm still finding my feet.
Certainly after my low-carb dinner, my post-meal reading will be 5 or under, which is what confirms to me, this is what works. It's having the willpower to go that extra bit and cut out bread and breakfast cereal that I struggle with. When I do manage to do it and STICK with it......I'll be over the moon and will then feel able to post in the "Success" thread on this forum.
I'm still waiting for "willpower" tablets to be manufactured. I can't understand why some clever soul has not seen the money-making possibilities of such a venture! :wink:
Oh, meant to say earlier,nanoo, I perfectly recognise that stress/eating relationship thing with food. We have an awful lot of health issues in my family, which cause a huge amount of stress. I've never smoked or been a drinker BUT I always turned to food when I was stressed. I still do and that's when I fall off the wagon in particular, with non-diabetic friendly food. I'm still trying to find a substitute for this emotional crutch and all I can say, is that the walking helps here also. I find walking lifts my mood enormously.
To be fair, I was only changed to basal/bolus regime last Autumn and I'm still finding my feet.
Certainly after my low-carb dinner, my post-meal reading will be 5 or under, which is what confirms to me, this is what works. It's having the willpower to go that extra bit and cut out bread and breakfast cereal that I struggle with. When I do manage to do it and STICK with it......I'll be over the moon and will then feel able to post in the "Success" thread on this forum.
I'm still waiting for "willpower" tablets to be manufactured. I can't understand why some clever soul has not seen the money-making possibilities of such a venture! :wink:
Oh, meant to say earlier,nanoo, I perfectly recognise that stress/eating relationship thing with food. We have an awful lot of health issues in my family, which cause a huge amount of stress. I've never smoked or been a drinker BUT I always turned to food when I was stressed. I still do and that's when I fall off the wagon in particular, with non-diabetic friendly food. I'm still trying to find a substitute for this emotional crutch and all I can say, is that the walking helps here also. I find walking lifts my mood enormously.
Nanoo in a few short posts you have in my opinion some of the very best advice you are ever likley to get.
As you already are aware of the situation as it is today Maybe the question to ask yourself is do i want it to be the same tomorrow ? Just take a minute to listen to your own reply
The point now is decide which is the starting point and make the move - If it works out BRILLIANT, if it dosnt its a learning point for next time and rest assured there will be a few along the way as has all ready been mentioned.
It isnt easy but do read the "SUCCESS " Thread to see how it can be and why its worth the effort
All the very best and keep the questions coming
Dave P
As you already are aware of the situation as it is today Maybe the question to ask yourself is do i want it to be the same tomorrow ? Just take a minute to listen to your own reply
The point now is decide which is the starting point and make the move - If it works out BRILLIANT, if it dosnt its a learning point for next time and rest assured there will be a few along the way as has all ready been mentioned.
It isnt easy but do read the "SUCCESS " Thread to see how it can be and why its worth the effort
All the very best and keep the questions coming
Dave P
Hello Nannoo, welcome to the forum
You have had some really excellent replies already, so forgive me for adding my two pennies worth, I know how confusing it all can get and I also know all about the guilt feelings one can get for not getting things right and for just ignoring the whole diabetes issue and just staying in denial.
But are we really in denial though? I was in denial for years, until I had to accept that I was making myself very ill, and I must admit that diabetes was always in the back of my mind, causing me stress and upset but I was getting really good at sweeping it all under the carpet whilst munching on my doughnuts as comfort. I really ignored diabetes for long enough to develop some very scary, uncomfortable complications.
It took me a long, long time to educate myself and realise that it is all up to me, and that was then really a hard learning curve for me. You can read my story in SUCCESS STORIES too, I suggest you also read posts in this thread maybe you can pick up some tips there, and you can see that you are most definitely not alone.
viewtopic.php?f=1&t=3733&p=21294&hilit=doctrine#p21294
I can assure you that once you are low carbing you will find the craving for carbs really does become less and less; it can be hell at first, and that is your body and mind showing just how addicted you really are, I felt so wretched and initially very depressed, I kept thinking that all the things that I ever enjoyed are finished with, life is finished, I cant live without bread and rice and pasta, its not possible, but being so ill scared me so I dare not touch the carbs anymore, I found that treating myself in other ways helped, I used to buy make up, books, CDs, magazines, anything really to help make me feel better and as time went by it got easier, now several years later I dont even think carbs, though I have increased them slightly, well no, I have given myself some leeway there, I know I can have some without my bg levels being affected, but half the time I dont bother eating those starchy pests, they make me feel lethargic and the craving has gone, simple as that.
Please dont beat yourself up, but start to plan to make you healthier and to prevent complications happening to you, if you feel that you cannot do anything drastic like cutting out all carbs immediately then do it gradually, cut down slowly, plan meals ahead, look through the recipes here, try some new ones, above all dont give up, you can do it, get the family to support you, educate them about diabetes and carbohydrates, everyone needs to learn about them, whether they are diabetic or not. And test yourself, see how many carbs your body can actually tolerate, you might not even have to go very low.
I wish you all the best and lots of courage, but I think you have that inside you already...we are all behind you so stick with us and if you are struggling just come here, there is always someone online to talk you through.
Love from
Karen x
You have had some really excellent replies already, so forgive me for adding my two pennies worth, I know how confusing it all can get and I also know all about the guilt feelings one can get for not getting things right and for just ignoring the whole diabetes issue and just staying in denial.
But are we really in denial though? I was in denial for years, until I had to accept that I was making myself very ill, and I must admit that diabetes was always in the back of my mind, causing me stress and upset but I was getting really good at sweeping it all under the carpet whilst munching on my doughnuts as comfort. I really ignored diabetes for long enough to develop some very scary, uncomfortable complications.
It took me a long, long time to educate myself and realise that it is all up to me, and that was then really a hard learning curve for me. You can read my story in SUCCESS STORIES too, I suggest you also read posts in this thread maybe you can pick up some tips there, and you can see that you are most definitely not alone.
viewtopic.php?f=1&t=3733&p=21294&hilit=doctrine#p21294
I can assure you that once you are low carbing you will find the craving for carbs really does become less and less; it can be hell at first, and that is your body and mind showing just how addicted you really are, I felt so wretched and initially very depressed, I kept thinking that all the things that I ever enjoyed are finished with, life is finished, I cant live without bread and rice and pasta, its not possible, but being so ill scared me so I dare not touch the carbs anymore, I found that treating myself in other ways helped, I used to buy make up, books, CDs, magazines, anything really to help make me feel better and as time went by it got easier, now several years later I dont even think carbs, though I have increased them slightly, well no, I have given myself some leeway there, I know I can have some without my bg levels being affected, but half the time I dont bother eating those starchy pests, they make me feel lethargic and the craving has gone, simple as that.
Please dont beat yourself up, but start to plan to make you healthier and to prevent complications happening to you, if you feel that you cannot do anything drastic like cutting out all carbs immediately then do it gradually, cut down slowly, plan meals ahead, look through the recipes here, try some new ones, above all dont give up, you can do it, get the family to support you, educate them about diabetes and carbohydrates, everyone needs to learn about them, whether they are diabetic or not. And test yourself, see how many carbs your body can actually tolerate, you might not even have to go very low.
I wish you all the best and lots of courage, but I think you have that inside you already...we are all behind you so stick with us and if you are struggling just come here, there is always someone online to talk you through.
Love from
Karen x
Thank you all, I am touched that you would take the time to write so much, all of it so useful. Can you help with some practical advice - I would normally have toased wholemeal bread with marmalade for breakfast, a salad sandwich for lunch, and a proper meal in the evening, usually pasta, or a Thai curry with basmati rice, or fish with Bearnaise sauce and potatoes. We eat out around twice a week, perhaps at a French restaurant and an Indian, occasionally at a pizzeria. I love my wine. I am not a lover of lots of vegetables or salad. What would you substitute for my meals?
Hi nannoo,
Well, I'm afraid that as you look around the forum you'll see lots of posts, a few heated discussions and one or two jackets-off-square-go fist fights! Welcome to the wonderful world of carb-restriction!
You have more or less listed all the foods that the great majority of us find are incompatible with non-diabetic blood sugars. I know what you're thinking - freaky eaters! get me out of here! I would have thought exactly the same 8 years ago if anyone had told me to avoid the foods that were my staples - bread, pasta, rice and potatoes.
Bad news first. These things appear benign, particularly since many 'experts' seem to believe we should base all meals around them. What they forget is that the 'big 4' deliver such large amounts of glucose to the bloodstream that normal blood sugars become practically impossible. They also require large volumes of insulin, which invites all sorts of other long term problems.
Now the good news. They are all replaceable with alternatives which taste better, are more nutritious, reduce your appetite, and bring your blood sugars down to manageable levels.
How about an omlette or grilled mushrooms with cheese for breakfast? Lunch could be roast chicken with salad, or practically anything you might put in a sandwich, except in larger quantities and without the bread. For dinner, a fish pie with the potato topping replaced by cheesy cauliflower?
See, not so bad after all! Oh, and by the way I hope to have a low-cabohydrate bread on the market this year, so even toast might be back on the menu!
All the best,
fergus
Well, I'm afraid that as you look around the forum you'll see lots of posts, a few heated discussions and one or two jackets-off-square-go fist fights! Welcome to the wonderful world of carb-restriction!
You have more or less listed all the foods that the great majority of us find are incompatible with non-diabetic blood sugars. I know what you're thinking - freaky eaters! get me out of here! I would have thought exactly the same 8 years ago if anyone had told me to avoid the foods that were my staples - bread, pasta, rice and potatoes.
Bad news first. These things appear benign, particularly since many 'experts' seem to believe we should base all meals around them. What they forget is that the 'big 4' deliver such large amounts of glucose to the bloodstream that normal blood sugars become practically impossible. They also require large volumes of insulin, which invites all sorts of other long term problems.
Now the good news. They are all replaceable with alternatives which taste better, are more nutritious, reduce your appetite, and bring your blood sugars down to manageable levels.
How about an omlette or grilled mushrooms with cheese for breakfast? Lunch could be roast chicken with salad, or practically anything you might put in a sandwich, except in larger quantities and without the bread. For dinner, a fish pie with the potato topping replaced by cheesy cauliflower?
See, not so bad after all! Oh, and by the way I hope to have a low-cabohydrate bread on the market this year, so even toast might be back on the menu!
All the best,
fergus
Hi nanooo,
I found that limiting the starchy carbs worked for me. I didn't eliminate them altogether, just switched from white/brown bread to multiseeded, new potatoes lightly boiled with their skin on rather than mashed, brown rice instead of white. I've just been introduced to Dreamfields pasta through this forum, which tastes like normal pasta but has "allegedly" only 5g digestible carbs. All this in much smaller quantities than I used to eat, of course. As for wine, you'll find that that many low-carbers on this forum still imbibe in moderation. So you see that lifestyle change doesn't have to be monastically drastic. You can still live it up a little and have the occasional hedonostic half hour. Good luck and best wishes,
Popps
I found that limiting the starchy carbs worked for me. I didn't eliminate them altogether, just switched from white/brown bread to multiseeded, new potatoes lightly boiled with their skin on rather than mashed, brown rice instead of white. I've just been introduced to Dreamfields pasta through this forum, which tastes like normal pasta but has "allegedly" only 5g digestible carbs. All this in much smaller quantities than I used to eat, of course. As for wine, you'll find that that many low-carbers on this forum still imbibe in moderation. So you see that lifestyle change doesn't have to be monastically drastic. You can still live it up a little and have the occasional hedonostic half hour. Good luck and best wishes,
Popps
