maggiebarnett's Journal, 24 September 2017

Welcome to FS! Glad you are here : ) 

Thank you. I have diabetes2, just recently diagnosed. I have put on so much weight in the last 5 years as I have had 5 major surgeries. The last year I put on about 30 pounds and because of the diabetes I had very little energy. I have made major diet changes the last three weeks and I have to work on exercising more. I am not one who really loves to exercise and being a senior I have to watch my balance. 

Welcome, Maggie! I think you'll find a lot of us out here with Type II Diabetes and various injuries that we've been handed by surgery (or military service) - just let us know how to best encourage you! Happy you're with us! 

Welcome! Great people and lots of inspiration here.  

SO glad you are here! There is wonderful support and a lot of experience and wisdom. MANY people have reversed t2d diagnoses through diet alone. My partner was morbidly obese, and when they heard their diagnosis and the doctor wrote a prescription, they looked up the adverse effects of medication and said, "hold my carbs." They didn't start exercising for quite a while, and then only light strength exercises on pulley machine and short stints on recumbent bicycle. From371to184 (we call him 184) has excellent advice on his profile, and follows some solid people. Stick with the winners! And everyone, regardless of what way of eating they've chosen, will support what is working for you. (Though I'll warn you, you'll hear a lot of success with low-carb approaches to t2d, so that might feel like we're preaching.)  

Welcome Maggie! 

HI Maggie, I have both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. This is my experience (not my advice!) - and for the first time in 30 years I feel I am finally getting somewhere. So getting the right support and balance and head space pays off. I am currently seeing a Prof in Endocrinology who has a particular interest in obesity. She is fantastic (formidable really). Her professional view is that carbs are the real problem for people with Type 2 (and in cases like mine Type 1). I am feeling excellent on the diet I am on and not feeling at all deprived. When she started going through what I could eat (it seemed miniscule -She has pointed out how little food we really need - saying people plough fields on far less) I decided to go onto an optifast only regime (her other option). It seemed easier than having to limit myself to such a degree with other foods to start with. Along with the diet I am having 30 grms of fibre a day ( using fibre supplements -not psyllium) and two salads a day. Lots and Lots of water (3 ltrs) . Caffeine limited to 2 cups of black tea a day. The first couple of days were a little challenging - but not too bad. I have had to keep reducing insulin so having input from diabetes educators on an almost daily basis while I am losing weigh has helped a lot. Of course the less insulin the more weight loss - and that is the same for Type 2 - the less carb the less your body produces insulin the better the weight loss. I think the hard thing with Diabetes and weight loss is when your bgls go low it is difficult to not over correct. It feels awful. I am finding strategies to stop those ups and downs helps. Being very regular with meal times helps (eating by the clock - something I have always rebelled against) and having emergency back up in car in case I am in meetings that go overtime etc. I have also got myself a freestyle libre swipe thing so I can read my bgls all the time without having to prick my fingers (and am now realising how much I used to avoid testing). It is helping a lot to control the lows and highs. I also have been having some input from a counsellor specialising in Diabetes and diabetes burn out. Just thinking about my boundaries and being a people pleaser has made me more aware of saying No - putting myself first (like saying I must have lunch now) etc. I hope some of this helps. It feels great to be losing weight, to have good bgls (my HbA1 C has gone down to 6.4 from up around 8). Happy to support you in anyway that you feel would be useful.  

Welcome!