Low Carb Dieting Works For Me!

Just over three months ago I was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. My HbA1c was 68 (8.4 in old money) and I was a mess. I felt ill, I needed to lose weight and the diagnosis left me scared and depressed. My doctor offered me drugs but I said "No", because I wanted to try diet and exercise. I got very little help at all, just a "come back in three months".

THEN, I found this Forum.

I don't believe that diabetes can be cured (at present) but by reading around on here, low carbing and walking my bum off every day, I soon began to slim down, feel better and take control of my health again. :angel:

I'm going to see the diabetes nurse on Thursday but I had to see the doctor today (on other matters) and she gave me a preview of my HbA1c... It was 46 (6.4, in old money)!!! :clap:

Thank you everyone on here, for all your help. And newbies DON'T despair - there IS hope and even if you DO need more than a quick health makeover, I'm SURE you can improve your control in time. :thumbup:

[EDIT: I bought my own meter and strips, which made assessing and planning my diet possible, if expensive.]

Oohhh, blimey Stephen, that's a challenge... I haven't been very scientific. :lol:

I bought a meter, strips, a carb counting book, a Bernstein book and a pedometer. My boyfriend designed a "Steps per Day" spreadsheet for me, which I use to make me exercise. The books and the meter I use for ideas and as a guide, not as religious tracts, or artefacts.

I started walking most days and built up to 50,000 steps per week (I read that a "normal healthy" person should do about 70,000 per week but, uh, NO THANKS). Have had a recent blip (left knee started complaining) but I've tried to do my best. I think I'll start swimming soon, when I get a costume.

I don't count my carbs... I hate that sort of attention to detail and I wouldn't sustain it. Sometimes I have a treat but mostly I just eat to my meter, or experiment and let my meter advise me about having that food again. :wink: I avoid really carby food (or look for low GI alternatives and then limit my portions).

I cut out most bread (always seemed bad for my BP anyway) but I do eat one or two slices of Soya and Linseed Bergen, per day.

I completely replaced potatoes with sweet potatoes (which are nicer actually).

I only have plain (full fat) Greek yoghurt and blueberries for desserts (with sweetener, I'm not mental) OR a little dark chocolate. Most fruit I avoid now but will test eventually - apples seemed BAD for me.

I don't eat rice, or pasta (tried tiny amount of white pasta last night, BIG mistake). I like leafy salads, broccoli and cauliflower. I can eat a small amount of low sugar/salt baked beans. I LOVE sunflower seed Ryvitas.

I eat lots of eggs and I like cheese but don't go too mad. I eat "Salt and Pepper Chicken Wings" from the Chinese take-away and sometimes a couple of slices of pizza... Don't test those too much but I'm not dead yet. I tell myself that with a glass of red wine they'll be FINE for me. They're probably not tho' LOL. :lolno:

I eat lots of chicken actually and I enjoy bacon.

OK, I'm boring you all now... :silent:

Thanks everyone! Love to you all, you have all helped.

And may I just add, FISH. I forgot all the fish I eat (oily and, um, not oily). Fish is awesome.