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Roller coaster sugar levels

SheilaCanning

Well-Known Member
Messages
106
Location
English seaside
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Diet only
Hello, this is a bit of a cry for help really. I felt I had a good handle on things and through low carbing had got back to pre-diabetic, but my last HbA1C was 6.5 which was a shock to me as I had got a bit smug and assumed I was doing well. Anyway, I know that over the last few weeks I have been fed up, hormonal, and not as careful as I should be, and things have gone a bit wrong. (I ordered a couple of Libre 2's but have been doing battle with them - one failed, another fell off. They have been replaced but I haven't put one back on yet.) I've been finger pricking and my levels are really high - like 11.2 90 minutes after a low carb lunch (omelette with veg) whereas before it would have been about 7.7. So I have been exercising - and in 20 minutes took it from 11.2 to 6.4. 15 minutes later it's up to 7. That seems like a big up and down. It's been a few days of this now. Any thoughts? Have I messed myself up? Will I reset ok with careful eating/exercising? I don't take any meds.

Thank you!
 
Have you been ill at all? How long are you diagnosed? Could that smugness have equated to unnoticed carb creep?
 
HSSS said:
Have you been ill at all? How long are you diagnosed? Could that smugness have equated to unnoticed carb creep?
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Oh yeah, my smugness definitely resulted in carb creep! And yes, I've not been that well over the last couple of weeks but it's a bit of a circle where I don't feel well so am less active and then the sugar goes up and I feel even worse so I am desperately trying to get back on track.
 
One of the things I've noticed with exercise is that if I do strenuous exercise (football for me) my BG tends to rise in the short term. I don't know what it does immediately, though, as fingerpricking while actually playing centre half is a bit beyond me. So a test at halftime shows BG levels elevated above what they were at the start of the game, having eaten nothing.

Continue with that strenuous exercise and my BG will fall. On the other hand, mild exercise produces a steady decline, although not very big. I think this has to do with my liver dumping glucose as soon as it realises I'm on the pitch: if I'm just strolling around it seems not to be bothered enough to do that.

You levels may have something to do with what you've eaten, but they are also likely to be affected by your body's response to exercise - which might be totally different to mine.

If it was me - I'd get back on the low-carb horse asap. Continue with the exercise, for the feelgood factor and general wellbeing.
 
Thank you! Yes, I must exercise - I get stuck feeling too tired but of course, exercise is energising. Thank you. It's interesting to hear exercise sends your levels up. And low carb is definitely the way to go - but I get so sulky sometimes. I miss pasta! And pizza! And croissants!
 
I started properly exercising about a year ago. I had always played sport but because I became so heavy in the last ten years or so I was injuring myself constantly - tendons and muscles mainly, and they took ages to heal - so stopped.

I don't think there's anything wrong in acknowledging that we enjoyed our carb treats and it helped being told they were good for us, as well. However the nice carby treats also gave me a large number of nasty diabetic symptoms that I am really glad to not have anymore. It comes down to what you really want.
 
I test in the morning before my work out but its 9 times out of 10 about 7 plus something region. Today I tested and it was 6 so going down on my exercise days. Keep exercising, not always easy and I have to drag myself to the spin bike sometimes as I cannot be bothered some days. I do continue as it brings my levels down - I do miss cakes, bread, pasta etc I just don't miss the consequences of eating them anymore.
 
I know some people will have seen this before but I found it an ideal way to control BG levels.
If you walk fifteen minutes after food for fifteen minutes, the spike off the food is lessened and helps control.
For some reason, we have this process and w are built to walk natrual!y.
Physical exercise increases glucagon/glucose output from the liver. Which is required for continuing the exercise.
I'm not trying to influence your exercise patterns, but back when I was working and it was a demanding job, I could work all day and not trigger a spike, because I knew it If I done too much, I would stop immediately and test and have a cuppa, with maybe a bite too maintain BG levels.

It is a common question. Having continuous liver dumps, for an extended period, too much for some diabetics. Has to be very similar to eating too many carbs and sugars, and will raise your hba1c levels also your diabetes levels. But that is my thoughts, just being logical!

Best wishes
 
For cravings of pizza, cakes etc I keep a few low carb or keto versions in the freezer and take out one portion at a time. Often especially with pizza it's the toppings we miss, not the actual base, so soemthing likea pizza topped chicken breast does well (just spread a chicken breast with tomato puree, sliced cheese and a couple of slices pepperoni and bake as usual)

Most of the cake recipes here work well cooked in a 7" tray and cut into 16 squares. Currently I have millionaires shortbread and coffee cake on hand

Millionaire Shortbreads

MKK - Michele's Keto Kitchen You'll also find this recipe on page 48 of the Creative Bakes Cookbook.
www.ketofitnessclub.com

Just be aware it's easy for these to become a regu5habit.

If however it's the social aspect of pizza, then that's a psychological issue rather than the food itself
 
No, it's definitely the pizza I miss - plenty of ways to socialise without pizza You're right about the toppings though - good idea to try it on chicken!

Thanks for the recipes!
 
I think I'm way too lazy - I get home from work late, eat dinner and then slump in front of the TV - I should get up and go for a 15 minute walk, but it's cold and dark and way harder in the winter. Thanks for the advice. I appreciate it. I have tried putting a rebounder in my lounge and making myself do 10 minutes "walking" on it. Must be more consistent.
 
Your work maybe enough if you are on your feet enough during your working hours.
Balance this with carb reduction and dietary intake, and you will see it be beneficial.
 
I buy the low carb tortilla wraps in Sainsburys and use one as a pizza base and it was a game changer for me I add all my favourites on top and delicious.
 
Ellabella1 said:
I buy the low carb tortilla wraps in Sainsburys and use one as a pizza base and it was a game changer for me I add all my favourites on top and delicious.
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They aren’t very low though! Not massively different to a normal wrap. Sainsbury’s does sell a high protein one in the gluten free section that is about 4 carbs per wrap but they are a lot more expensive. Half the wraps twice the price.
 
HSSS said:
They aren’t very low though! Not massively different to a normal wrap. Sainsbury’s does sell a high protein one in the gluten free section that is about 4 carbs per wrap but they are a lot more expensive. Half the wraps twice the price.
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Oh really I will get those next week then if I had known I would of got those instead. Thank you very much.
 
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