Thank you for this I was just diagnosed this morning. I'm only 31 and I do feel so ashamed i've allowed this to happen. However as you said I am in control now! Have my 12 week referral to slimmingworld and i'm ready to do this. Although it will be a struggle being a very poor university student but at least i get to experiment with low cost healthy food, rather than just grabbing a quick bag of sweets or crisps.
I can relate, Linnyloo. It's a bit of a hit when the doc confirms it, but try not to focus on the past, you can't change that, but you've totally got control of your future. You don't need to be ashamed, life is life we all do things that are considered 'bad' for us, drinking, food, smoking, etc etc, whatever our individual vices are....but life is life, gotta live it, and hindsight is a wonderful thing
But you're in such a strong position, full power over your future, it's rather empowering. I don't know if this helps, but that's the way I looked at it after the 'news' was dropped by the doctor, ok, there's nothing I can do about back then, but yeah, now I can *do* something to help *me* from here on in. I'm not a student but I do need to work to a tight budget so my first point of call was getting my head around low carb foods and replacing treats - sugar free jelly was a savour, as were protein bars, as they gave me a 'sweet' fix but are way less in carbs, fats and sugar than actual sweets, and they're mostly high in protein so they actually helped fill me up, too - total winner! (I use 'Grenade' bars as they have a huge range, they taste good, low in barbs, sugar and fat so they're a better 'sweet' substitute - plus I tested their effect on my blood glucose and there wasn't any). Take it day by day, work with what works for you. Shopping wise, Aldi, Lidl and Morrisons became my bestie because of the amount of protein I now buy - literally, baskets full of mostly proteins so it pays to shop where there's cheaper good foods, ha! Plus, the proteins fill me up and are readily available to take with me when I'm out and about - might be good for Uni schedules too. The cost in those shops are also pretty decent, too. I did go quite hardcore and stop any form of treats like take-aways or sweets and alcohol at the weekend, which also helped my finance situation too - it's a-mazing how much that stuff can actually hike up costs! But definitely work a plan that you're happy with. A lot of people find the low carb high fat diet works well for them, sadly, it didn't agree with me (I didn't like the high fat element because I honestly could easily get carried away with the quantities, doh!) so I tested different foods affect on my BG levels and settled on something which works for me - low carb (under 100g a day) high protein, v low sugar and low/mod fats, plus I went back to working out every day at least an hour a day, sometimes home sometimes gym, it helps. The results? It might not work for you, but just doing that and trying to build it into a lifestyle I've managed to come down from 49 at diagnosis to 41 hba1c at my first 3 months review, which is technically what they call 'a person living without diabetes', essentially I've put it into remission - I don't like the word 'reversal' as it'll never go, but I can do my bit to keep it away.
Main thing I would say is these forums are fabulous, the folks here gave better advice for me at diagnosis than the doctor surgery, the DESMOND course I had to attend, and the endless reams of conflicting info on the Web. Through these forums, you'll definitely find a plan to work for you, once you get into it, it's easy to keep to, honest. I can genuinely say, it's consistency which is key. There will be good days, and not so good days, if you fall 'off the wagon' as they say, don't worry about it, it happens, and life is life, the trick is to get back on track asap - not that I'm discouraging you, it's just good to be aware that yeah, some days life throws a curve ball and old habits can die hard. But the thing to remember is, tomorrow is always another day, and you are 100% in control of this!
Stay strong Linnyloo, you can do this! x *hugs*