• Guest - w'd love to know what you think about the forum! Take the 2025 Survey »

Time to take it seriously, I guess

K

Kyla.UK

Member
Messages
7
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Diet only
Im 44F, and had pre-diabetic hba1c levels of 44 for a year. A blood test for other issues showed a new hb1ac level of 53 in May.
At that time I was not in a good place, having herniated a disc in my back and was pretty much immobile for 18 weeks. I was on a lot of pain meds too. I basically ate rubbish and felt sorry for myself and figured I'd sort it out later.
Luckily, the herniation has fixed itself and I am now able to move around normally.
Yesterday I had two appointments come through for a diabetic eye screening and a repeat blood work and I think it's finally dawned on me that I need to get my **** in gear.

I had previously started to do an online diabetes prevention course but I was the youngest by decades and it got very frustrating using half the session explaining to Alan why he needed to go on mute if his wife was hoovering. I got bored and stopped joining the meetings. I think I know the basics of what I should be doing... lose a bucket load of weight and cut back on sugar, exercise more. I just feel a bit overwhelmed.
My mum is T2 but if I tell her I am too, she be disappointed in me and even at my age, I can't face that.
So that's my very waffley intro.

My first question is... Should I get a monitor?
 
Yes you should. Without measuring you will not know what is affecting your blood glucose and by how much. Suggest reduce the carbs ...
 
Forget worrying about sugars and think Potatoes, Rice, Bread, pasta and Cereals. These are the main things to avoid. I would tell your mum, remember it is probably the inactivity due to the disc problem that pushed you over the edge, you were not in a position to tackle the prediabetes so inevitably diabetes followed. it was a matter of unfortunate circumstances at the time. you could have been very active and following medical advice as to diet, and with your mum T2 you would most likely be predisposed to develop diabetes, so would most likely be in the same boat, although you may have staved it off for longer.
 
Kyla.UK said:
lose a bucket load of weight and cut back on sugar, exercise more. I just feel a bit overwhelmed.
Click to expand...
You can lose a bucket load of weight by cutting down on carbohydrates not just sugar.
My exercise levels haven't changed since diagnosis in any meaningful way.. just find walking much easier these days not lugging an extra 90 pounds around with me.
 
I do Keto and completely inactive right now. Still losing a steady 1lb a week, so can be done. Keto or very low carb is the only way for me. If you don't already tracking everything on Cronometer lets you know all your carbs, Proteins and fats. I have to do everything quite strict. I take Metformin 500mgs twice a day.
 
Hi Kyla

I am in a similar situation to you, pre diabetic then slipped into T2 range (HB1AC 49) reversed with diet, HB1AC went down to 41 using Michael Mosley 5:2 diet. In my mind I had fixed it but then slipped back to my old ways eating carbs, biscuits, cake etc.
Went for my yearly checkup in early August 22 only to be told my HB1AC had gone up to 55, the nurse said I needed to do another test just to make sure at which point she said there will be no change and we should talk about me taking Metformin.

So I started to fast 3 days a week for 24hrs (eat breakfast then nothing until the following morning then eat normal for that day but no carbs at all).
I went back for my second test results some 3 weeks later my HB1AC had dropped to 51 the nurse said she had never seen that before.

Since then I have embarked on a 16: 8 fasting regime, my eating window is 12pm until 8pm in that time I will eat two balanced meals inc a small amount of carbs I have lost a total of 1st 8lb since the middle of August I have been taken off my blood pressure tablets and feel a lot better for it. I have about 4 weeks before I have my 3 month follow up which I hope by then I should be back in the prediabetic range.

Someone on this forum recommended reading the Diabetic Code by Jason Fung which is well worth a read.

I have increased my exercise from nothing to going to the gym twice a week and started cycling.

T2 is reversible if you put your mind to it don't give in to it.
 
Yes definitely get a meter, and if Abbot are still offering their free trial Libre sensors maybe try one of those too for some 24/7 glucose monitoring. And WATCH ALL CARBOHYDRATES WHETHER STARCHY OR SUGARY AS WE CONVERT BOTH TO GLUCOSE.

I was diagnosed with T2 nearly 9 years ago with HbA1c figures of 60-61. Both my reduction in glucose levels and my main weight loss occurred very quickly after I changed to my low carb/ketogenic way of eating right after diagnosis. I've remained with low pre-diabetic/close to normal glucose levels ever since and have not used any diabetic meds (metformin) since 2017. I was never a great breakfast eater, so am happy doing what I call "erratic" rather than more organised intermittent fasting. I've never done any extra exercise just carried on with my normal activities, and am now currently very inactive due to arthritic hips. And finally I've learned that various other issues, often well beyond our control, such as illness, pain, stress, some medications, even the weather, can all affect glucose levels and I feel it's important to be aware that it's not only our choice of food that may have an impact.
 
Some amazing replies, thank you so much.!
I'm going to look up the things mentioned and see what I can do to change my diet.
I'm a massive love of pasta and potatoes and I cant eat red meat so that will be tricky for me too.
Guess I'm looking at mostly chicken dinners
 
It shouldn't be all that restrictive - you can also have fish, seafood, cheese, eggs, duck, turkey, pheasant and other gamefowl. Matched with diabetic-friendly vegetables and spices that you like, you can have something different at every meal for quite some time before you have to repeat a dish.
 
Hi. Yes, a monitor is a must have now.
Also, don't feel like it's disappointing to be diabetic at any age... It's honestly not anyone's fault, but once you have it, you can't ignore it. I think you can get a lot of good advice here, and don't feel unmotivated. Even tho I'm typing this with double vision because of high BG, there are sarcastically benefits to this disease. You really learn to take care of yourself and manage a healthier life style. Keep it up, and don't be ashamed.
X
 
I use Black Bean or Soy spaghetti as a swap. Not as umame as flour based pasta, but works with tomato sauces.

For Lasagne, I use sliced butternut sqash or aubergine as the 'pasta'.
 
Hello and welcome

You have had some great advice above and I really agree that you need a meter.

In relation to red meat I just wanted to ask if you have a reason for not eating it? Prior to my diagnosis I would have eaten red meat maybe 5-6 times a year (or less). I now eat it a lot more often. My reason was that I didn't particularly like it (carbolholic here and preferred carbs to anything else) and I also found it a very dense food and slow to eat and digest. I now make sure I eat it a lot less well cooked and that has helped me a lot.

However, you will still have a wide variety of foods even without red meat.

Good luck and welcome.
 
I have IBS and red meat gives me flare ups. It also means I have to avoid onions, garlic, tomato skin and spices which can male cooking tricky.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Menu
Log in
Register
Cookies are required to use this site. You must accept them to continue using the site. Learn More.…