Maintaining remission/getting back on the wagon

[JoKalsbeek]

For 4 yrs (immediately from diagnosis at 55mmol) I relatively simply maintained an HbA1c in the low 40’s by eating typically below 50g carbs a day. I don’t dislike the food or the way of eating. I lost around 15kg and for some time kept it off. But over the last year everything has slid in the wrong direction. Covid, hospitalisation and steroids definitely didn’t help but are not the sole cause of this. I’m back at square one.

I know what to do. I understand the science and the risks and can logically and intellectually understand it all. I know it works. I just don’t do it. I follow the plan (low carb) most of the time and then I self sabotage even whilst knowing I’m doing it, undoing the rest of the efforts. Originally the thought of medications and complications motivated me. Now that just isn’t working.

So for those that thought they had it sussed, only for that to bite them in the bum later, what motivated you to get back on track?

I wish I had answers for you, but right now I'm in the same spot: everything/everyone else seems to take priority (or are given it, rather, of my own volition), and I seem to be self-sabotaging at every turn. The only thing I've managed to change so far is my grocery orders. If I don't have certain items in the house, I can't graze all day, right?

Small steps, I suppose. If we can't take leaps, steps'll do.
HUGS!
Jo

 

[Goonergal]

I know what to do. I understand the science and the risks and can logically and intellectually understand it all. I know it works. I just don’t do it. I follow the plan (low carb) most of the time and then I self sabotage even whilst knowing I’m doing it, undoing the rest of the efforts. Originally the thought of medications and complications motivated me. Now that just isn’t working.

I think like anything one can get stuck in a pattern of repeating actions/behaviour, whether that be what you’d ideally choose or self-sabotage or something in-between.

Being something of an all or nothing personality, I had a spell earlier in the year where a dalliance with M&S chocolate eclairs which showed on the Libre as manageable if not ideal turned into a full on ‘let’s find an excuse to be in the food hall to buy eclairs’ habit. Obviously regular consumption had a far from ideal outcome. The only way I could end it was to totally ban myself from entering M&S for quite some time. Once I got through that, the urge had gone and staying on track got a lot easier.

That‘s just a small example, but hopefully there’ll be a small strategy that you can identify so you can start reinforcing the choices you’d rather be making.

 

[sue512]

You’ve had a difficult year and been poorly, steroids being a necessary evil. Like you I’ve also got to a point where I’m half in and out of the wagon. I’m married to a diabetic who is quite happy to medicate and eat what he wants although to be fair he doesn’t go wild. What he does do is to have a drawer of chocolate and m and m’s (my weak spot) and if I’m falling off the wagon that’s where I go. I’ve even considered following his path but tend to have a fair few health conditions that flair up if my hba1c rises. If I had an answer I’d share, if you find one I’d give it a go along with you. Perhaps it will get easier as the year warms up!

 

[HSSS]

I can't recall what sort of low carb baking you used to do, but would some sort of "allowance" to yourself for Deliciously Guilt Free or any of the other low carb/keto bakeries work for you. By allowance I mean a stash of x which you agree with yourself will last you y amount of time?

The really challenging bit is that for anything that's based in your head, to navigate the mazze you have to find the start of it. I think some of the online "therapy" or mindfulness things could be really useful.

One foot in front of the other. The journey of a thousand miles starts with the first step (or something like that).

I’m not working so £ matter and they are not cheap. Also I can resist anything except temptation right now Lol. But yes as you, @VashtiB and a few other suggest a better stash of approximate goodies should help. I’ll have to do a bit of baking. Maybe I can manage a mega session and freeze stuff.

 

[HSSS]

Being something of an all or nothing personality, I had a spell earlier in the year where a dalliance with M&S chocolate eclairs which showed on the Libre as manageable if not ideal turned into a full on ‘let’s find an excuse to be in the food hall to buy eclairs’ habit. Obviously regular consumption had a far from ideal outcome. The only way I could end it was to totally ban myself from entering M&S for quite some time. Once I got through that, the urge had gone and staying on track got a lot easier.

Thank you I could have written this post about “let’s find an excuse” behaviour with a couple of substitution (Lidl/millionaires shortbread/no libre but knowing it’s not pretty). Sadly I can’t avoid shopping but maybe I’ll have to go somewhere that doesn’t sell this item for a while. They’re always out of stock of so many things in my local store, why can’t it be these

I’ve been feeling such a fraud in here lately failing to walk the walk but it’s actually helping more than I thought hearing I’m not the only one that does this stuff. I came in here this morning to delete this thread in embarrassment. Perhaps I won’t and my struggles will help someone else too.

 

[HSSS]

Yeah I’ve had a few setbacks in the last year on various fronts and my mood has taken quite a knocking as a result. At the end of last year I found some gentle walking groups that got me out of the house and in the fresh air and speaking to other humans in real life. And now I have a foot issue and been ordered off it for a while to allow inflammation to heal (and yes I know glucose spikes won’t be helping that either). it feels like one step forward two backwards (yes I meant it that way round)

I have to go out today. I’m going to go treat myself to a libre as a late Xmas present. It’s too easy not to test if I know I won’t like the answer. Then I’m going to plan a mega baking session of things that won’t do much harm but feel indulgent. And I’m going to keep posting more honestly in here for accountability. I have very little outside world contact at the moment so you lot are important to me. If anyone notices I’m deleting these posts after the fact or not posting please stick your tongue out at me.

 

[plantae]

I’ve been feeling such a fraud in here lately failing to walk the walk but it’s actually helping more than I thought hearing I’m not the only one that does this stuff. I came in here this morning to delete this thread in embarrassment. Perhaps I won’t and my struggles will help someone else too.

You are not a fraud! And your thread has helped me. I'm new and feel like a failure most of the time. Just reading this kind of stuff makes me feel better

 

[Outlier]

I have always found your previous posts helpful, and have confidence in you although you may have wavered a bit.

Can you get your family on board with a conversation with each of them in turn (rather than the whole shebang together which is more or less guaranteed to go off-subject) and ask them how best they feel they can help you through this? They don't want you blind and crippled either, and, being family, probably have up to now been more concerned about their issues than yours.

 

[bulkbiker]

That used to work. Well the thought of them did but even whilst I’m doing the wrong thing I’m reminding myself of these. I’m not squeamish so not sure photos would work. Could give it a go I guess.

It was the fear of blindness (always my biggest) and anger at the uselessness of my HCP's that motivated me (and to be completely honest still does).
You need to find that trigger or maybe try a week long fast to "reset" ?
Just a thought..

 

[bulkbiker]

I had a spell earlier in the year where a dalliance with M&S chocolate eclairs which showed on the Libre as manageable if not ideal turned into a full on ‘let’s find an excuse to be in the food hall to buy eclairs’ habit.

I've recently had a similar with Waitrose Vanilla ice cream .. at 19.5g of carbs per 100g I thought hmmm should be ok.. 6 months later...

Didn't buy any yesterday in fact told hubs to put it back in the freezer section.. hopefully 3 weeks away will be long enough to get it out of my system.

 

[Antje77]

I’m going to go treat myself to a libre as a late Xmas present.

Was going to suggest this.
For me, the Libre is motivating not because it holds me accountable but because it's so pleasing if I manage to keep within the lines. For me it's much easier to make the sensible decisions if I get instantly rewarded by a high (in this case a low) score.
So a positive reinforcement rather than a negative one, getting extra bonus points in this game of be your own tamagotchi.

(Of course I mainly use the Libre because well, insulin, but the above plays a rather large part in my diabetes management as well.)

 

[lovinglife]

I don’t know if these are practical ideas for you or not, they work for me.

Due to home circumstances (not because of T2, temptation etc) I get my shopping delivered every week, I find I only buy what I need for everyone and takes away the temptation and trigger and impulse buying for me.

I do the 5 day soup diet from I Breathe, I’m Hungry website. It’s strict but very doable and I find it a great reset. It’s a breakfast of bacon egg and avocado, lunch & dinner of a soup which is quite delicious and a small snack every day. I find it plenty of food and although I eat exactly what it says I do share the some of the breakfast out to go with my soup as I find it too big all at once.

You’ve had a rough time but that’s over now, you’ve done it before and you can do it again, just posting this thread means your mindset is changing from self sabotage to self help, you got this

 

[lovinglife]

Link for the soup diet

IBIH 5 Day Keto Soup Diet- SCKC, Whole 30, Paleo, Low Carb, Dairy Free

Lose 10 pounds or more on my 5 day keto soup diet! Whole30 and Squeaky Clean Keto approved, this low carb soup diet is also a great way to detox from gluten, dairy, sweeteners, and alcohol! SCKC

www.ibreatheimhungry.com

 

[MrsA2]

@HSSS I was mulling over your situation today and I think the low carb/diabetes side is actually masking a more general low mood/mild depression , perhaps?
On another site I use we were thinking of ways to lift the January blues
Top of the list was getting out in the fresh air, even if its cold or wet, everyday.
Then there's exercise/activity. That can include chair based or swimming
Next was a pet (so dog walking wins all 3!)
Then there was craft or art, especially doing a new project or even a jigsaw
Socialising, calling a friend, going for coffee, posting on forum.
Music, singing, dancing, choir
Planning somethings to look forward to, holiday, cinema, birthday,
Going on holiday
Appreciating nature - what bulbs are starting to come up? How much later are the birds still singing each evening etc .
Stop watching or reading the news. Watch comedy or light stuff. Read soemthing nice.

There was more, but that's the essence.

I, too, second delegating some of the cooking tasks. I need times away from the kitchen. I've told my family in no uncertain terms that i cannot be around their food at times. I have had to educate them to cook, and to shop but we are getting there. Their support needs to be practical as well as theoretical and emotional (my hubby used to think "sitting quietly" and "letting me get on with it" was enough. It is not. At times he needs to do something!!!!)

Hope at least some of this helps. It does me, mostly

 

[Oldvatr]

I have been doing LCHF for over 8 yeas now. As you know, I have been T2D fotr over 30 years now so remission is probably unlikely. I am on medication. I am on 40 mg Gliclazide which is minimu dose. My other medication is Famous Grouse.which I can use as a bolus if I need to.

I have adopted the principle of KISS (Keep It Simple - Stoopid) so I have gone for One Pot cooking. It cuts down on washing up and Faff. I live out of my freezer, so if it don;t freeeze, I ain't cooking it.. Saves time on veggie preparation, and freezing preserves the vitamins.

So Breakfast is a single frypan with bacon egg, mushroom, tonmato and fried bread. It takees about 15 minutes, and saves energy on one hob. I cook in either lard or butter or both, and thats my HF sorted, Keeps me from the snacks all day.

No lunch, but evening meal is one pot + grill. I have a two stage steamer. Potatoes in the lower half, veggies straight from the freezer in the top. 20 minutes and they are done. Grill does fish or chicken or steaks or pork loins or burgers, or fishfingers ( not recommeded) or even spring rolls. Again it fits the 20 minutes timescale. And minimu washing up. Frypan also doubles for stirfries and fajita parties.

if I am entertaining, then I simp;y increase the quantity. No sweat. My daughter shares my meals and she is vegetarian. (except when Dads cooking).

This simple dietplan cuts down on the shopping list which becomes a rinse and repeat operation. Mind you the cat's shoppoing list is simpler.-anything so long as its fish and Dreamies

You asked for strategies. Those are mine.

 

[zand]

I'm another one who has fallen off the wagon. Can't even be bothered to look for it.
I was doing well until December, then a short holiday and Christmas were followed by a nasty virus which left me with shingles and depression.

No advice from me I'm afraid, just take one day at a time.

 

[HSSS]

@HSSS I was mulling over your situation today and I think the low carb/diabetes side is actually masking a more general low mood/mild depression , perhaps?
On another site I use we were thinking of ways to lift the January blues
Top of the list was getting out in the fresh air, even if its cold or wet, everyday.
Then there's exercise/activity. That can include chair based or swimming
Next was a pet (so dog walking wins all 3!)
Then there was craft or art, especially doing a new project or even a jigsaw
Socialising, calling a friend, going for coffee, posting on forum.
Music, singing, dancing, choir
Planning somethings to look forward to, holiday, cinema, birthday,
Going on holiday
Appreciating nature - what bulbs are starting to come up? How much later are the birds still singing each evening etc .
Stop watching or reading the news. Watch comedy or light stuff. Read soemthing nice.

There was more, but that's the essence.

I, too, second delegating some of the cooking tasks. I need times away from the kitchen. I've told my family in no uncertain terms that i cannot be around their food at times. I have had to educate them to cook, and to shop but we are getting there. Their support needs to be practical as well as theoretical and emotional (my hubby used to think "sitting quietly" and "letting me get on with it" was enough. It is not. At times he needs to do something!!!!)

Hope at least some of this helps. It does me, mostly

Oh you’ve hit some nails smack on the head for sure. Yes if I’m honest I believe it’s a lot wider than food. That’s as much a symptom as a cause. i can’t name a single aspect of my life that is how I’d want it. Nor do I have any goals, beyond feeling better cos I’m sick of this. There are so many hurdles in my way. Real, emotional practical and quite probably self imposed ones too. Covid, it’s limitations have and continue to do a right number on me hugely adding to the issues and limiting solutions. Theoretical and online support is what I have.

I’ve saved your list and will be trying to implement at least a few over the weekend. Thank you

 

[HSSS]

I have been doing LCHF for over 8 yeas now. As you know, I have been T2D fotr over 30 years now so remission is probably unlikely. I am on medication. I am on 40 mg Gliclazide which is minimu dose. My other medication is Famous Grouse.which I can use as a bolus if I need to.

I have adopted the principle of KISS (Keep It Simple - Stoopid) so I have gone for One Pot cooking. It cuts down on washing up and Faff. I live out of my freezer, so if it don;t freeeze, I ain't cooking it.. Saves time on veggie preparation, and freezing preserves the vitamins.

So Breakfast is a single frypan with bacon egg, mushroom, tonmato and fried bread. It takees about 15 minutes, and saves energy on one hob. I cook in either lard or butter or both, and thats my HF sorted, Keeps me from the snacks all day.

No lunch, but evening meal is one pot + grill. I have a two stage steamer. Potatoes in the lower half, veggies straight from the freezer in the top. 20 minutes and they are done. Grill does fish or chicken or steaks or pork loins or burgers, or fishfingers ( not recommeded) or even spring rolls. Again it fits the 20 minutes timescale. And minimu washing up. Frypan also doubles for stirfries and fajita parties.

if I am entertaining, then I simp;y increase the quantity. No sweat. My daughter shares my meals and she is vegetarian. (except when Dads cooking).

This simple dietplan cuts down on the shopping list which becomes a rinse and repeat operation. Mind you the cat's shoppoing list is simpler.-anything so long as its fish and Dreamies

You asked for strategies. Those are mine.

KISS has been my kitchen strategy for decades. Lots of easy options and one pot meals here too. I’m not hard to feed. It’s the multiple options that grind me down in that respect. The constant shopping and kitchen duties that make up most of my useful existence .

It’s the total absence of willpower not to eat rubbish even when it’s not hunger or lack of motivation to make even the easiest meals.

 

[HSSS]

I'm another one who has fallen off the wagon. Can't even be bothered to look for it.
I was doing well until December, then a short holiday and Christmas were followed by a nasty virus which left me with shingles and depression.

No advice from me I'm afraid, just take one day at a time.

Oh dear it seems contagious amongst a few of us at the moment doesn’t it?

 

[plantae]

Be easy on yourself as well. You're allowed a treat now and then... that's not off the wagon. Believe it or not I've probably read thousands of your messages and you and all the other posters on this forum have helped me heaps. Even when you're feeling down and maybe not so great because perhaps that's human. It's why I like it here. I can read and learn without necessarily even responding. I can't do that with my doctors... they want me to "interact". I don't always like interacting

Edit: I had a thought (wow!) and thought I should add some history about myself. I have what they used to call Asperger's Syndrome. I am very hard on myself. Harder on myself than anyone else would be on me for sure. I'm also, I don't know a word for it, but not socially aware. I'll say stuff that offends without even really knowing I'm offending people. So, if I say I've read thousands of your posts and that you've helped me (and you have) then that's pretty high praise. You're an inspiration and I really mean that