Top 10 things a newly diagnosed T2 should do

[xyzzy]

This is inspired by a post I just read by hophead http://www.diabetes.co.uk/diabetes-forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=34225
which I thought was excellent advice. I'm a bit OCD when it comes to lists and will avidly watch those Top 100 type TV programs regardless of the subject. So taking hophead as my inspiration here are my Top 10 tips for a newly diagnosed T2.

No 1 - Don't be selfish. Take responsibility for your condition. Not just for you but for your family and loved ones sake.
No 2 - Get a meter to identify what makes you spike 2 hours after your main meal.
No 3 - Use your meter to meet the NICE guidelines. It will save you from blindness, amputation and an early grave.
No 4 - Reduce carbohydrates by cutting our sugar wherever possible.
No 5 - Reduce carbohydrates by moving your meal balance towards fats.
No 6 - Lose weight if you need to it will reduce your insulin resistance.
No 7 - Do some exercise. It doesn't need to be intense or formal so just go for a walk.
No 8 - Make sure you eat enough so that you are not hungry. Make sure your regime can be continued long term.
No 9 - Avoid trans fats and highly processed foods, choose natural saturated fats over "low fat" products.
No 10 - Don't forget to have the occasional day off and have fun!

What are other peoples Top 10's ?

 

[Stevie2tone]

xyzzy,

What a great list and wish I had that list when I first diagnosed, the only things I would add to that list that may help me is:

1) Wear a blindfold so you cannot see anything you cannot eat.
2) Block your nose so you cannot smell anything you cannot eat.


Seriously though, great list and I am sure will help many newly diagnosed people, well done! :clap:

 

[xyzzy]

xyzzy,

What a great list and wish I had that list when I first diagnosed, the only things I would add to that list that may help me is:

1) Wear a blindfold so you cannot see anything you cannot eat.
2) Block your nose so you cannot smell anything you cannot eat.

Seriously though, great list and I am sure will help many newly diagnosed people, well done! :clap:

Thank you as I said it was inspired by hopheads post :clap:

Your

1) Wear a blindfold so you cannot see

is a valid and deadly serious piece of advice. Do that if you find it difficult to give up "bad" foods. Then as you are eating it think "this is what it will be like if I don't stop / cut down doing this" All part of my No 1.

 

[Defren]

I would agree with Steve, but I would also add:

1. Don't panic, while everything is overwhelming initially, it does fall into place.
2. Take time to grieve the life you are leaving behind, but celebrate the new one ahead.
3. Be patient, things take time to change, so while the carb (Atkins) flu may be getting to you or your BG won't go down, remember Rome wasn't built in a day.
4. Take time to be YOU - not a diabetic. This is a lesson that for me is still a work in progress, but I am getting better. I see myself far to much as a diabetic. Diabetes is not the sum total of me as a person, and I need to remember that.
5. Read and learn about what diabetes is, look for ways to help, but RESEARCH your self. What works for one, may not work for you, read, and research.

6. Always - EAT TO YOUR METER!!

[edit to add]

You must put all the old idea's behind you, and accept some new ones. Saturated fat is very good for you, it's not the demon it's portrayed as. Also when you see a low fat or reduced fat or light product, walk right on by and choose the full fat version. Low fat = bulked with sugar!

 

[))Denise((]

Here is my top 10:
1. You can't change the past - all those carbs you have been eating are behind you
2. You shouldn't listen to your HCP if they say that you should have starchy carbs with every meal
3. If you are put on meds, make sure you get the form signed by your doc for free prescriptions
4. Make sure you are on the list for your Retinopathy check
5. Read this forum, and ask any questions, we were all newbies once and are happy to help. If you are new to forums, remember that the written word has no body language to go with it, and not to write in capital letters as that is 'shouting' online
6. Ask for blood testing machine and strips from you doc (you may be lucky and get one and strips on prescription if you say that you need to find out how food affects you)
7. Not blame yourself, we have been peddled a lot of bad information about what to eat
8. Realise that you have control over the progression of your diabetes, by taking the steps mentioned in xyzzy's first post in this thread
9. It is your body, what works for one person, may not work for you, remembering that carbs will raise your blood sugar levels
10. Don't bother with the 'of which sugars' on a food label, it is the total amount of carbohydrate in what you are eating