Pre-diabetes Newbie

[GrannyGrumps]

Hi, I went to my surgery for my annual MOT and was shocked when the result said I'm pre-diabetes. I suppose if I'm honest I shouldn't be surprised as the weight has piled on since Covid Lockdown in particular. Too many cakes, crisps, sweets & biscuits over the weeks and too many ready made & processed foods. I guess I've been given a chance to turn things around and I'm grateful for that, but I do have health issues that have meant losing weight is difficult so I'm looking for tips to help that. I've been on prednisolone for a number of years plus other meds, so its not been easy to keep the weight down and I'm an old codger, so not easily mobile. However, I really want to try to reduce my weight and I've found an online free program to begin chair pilates. I have lost 12lb this week although I'm not kidding myself that most of that isn't probably just water and the swollen ankles have gone down quite a bit. Anyway I'm glad that this site is here for support, so thank you, as I was feeling very lonely and depressed coming to grips with my news.

 

[Docb]

Hi GrannyGrumps, welcome and glad you have found us. Have a good look around and ask any questions you like. There is a vast range of people on the forum and somebody somewhere will be able to relate to your particular circumstances.

Anyway, less of the old codger. You are nobbut a lass compared with some round here.

 

[GrannyGrumps]

Hi GrannyGrumps, welcome and glad you have found us. Have a good look around and ask any questions you like. There is a vast range of people on the forum and somebody somewhere will be able to relate to your particular circumstances.

Anyway, less of the old codger. You are nobbut a lass compared with some round here.

Thank you so much.

 

[Vonny]

Hi @GrannyGrumps, I suspect you're not the only one who has indulged in bikkies and stuff during lockdown. The only reason I didn't was that I was diagnosed with Type 2 just 3 weeks in so I had to do a quick u-turn.

For me, personally, cutting down significantly on carbs and walking for miles has helped me to lose over 2 stone since my diagnosis, but obviously a lot depends on other conditions and medications so you need to make sure you're not compromising those. A close friend with Parkinsons and other conditions, buoyed by my success with weight loss, started a low-carb diet which resulted in her body playing merry hell! It didn't suit her meds or her condition, and she absolutely needs some carbs on waking, so she's now just cutting down her carb portions later in the day. So it's a question of working out what's best for you.

It's great that you are trying to sort your weight out, and the chair pilates sounds excellent. Hopefully it won't have you attempting Plank position. I can maintain it for about 20 seconds then collapse in an undignified heap 🙄 x

 

[GrannyGrumps]

Thank you Vonny, for both the warning and the encouragement. I don't think I'll be attempting the plank position any time soon but I am sending out for some WD40 in case I have a change of heart. 😉

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Welcome to the forum @GrannyGrumps

Try not to be disheartened about your diagnosis, many people on the forum later reflect that their diagnosis became a catalyst which prompted them to make positive changes towards a healthier diet and more active life - not necessarily running marathons (though some do!) but making the best of whatever mobility you have to improve your physical and mental wellbeing.

One of the biggest questions when newly diagnosed, or told you are ‘at risk of diabetes’ is often what can I eat and while there are obvious things like cakes, biscuits, sweets and sugary drinks that you will be wanting to cut out straight away, you might be surprised how much *all* carbohydrate affects your BG levels, including rice, pasta, bread, pastry, grains, cereals and many fruits. Many members here find that reducing the carb content of their diet is the single biggest and most effective thing they do to improve their BG levels.

When it comes to making changes to prevent diabetes, it’s often best to tweak your menu and activity levels gradually - partly because they need to be sustainable long term, but also because very rapid and sudden changes to blood glucose levels are harder on the fine blood vessels, and changing things more gently will give your body time to adapt.

Good luck, and let us know how you are getting on 🙂

 

[GrannyGrumps]

Welcome to the forum @GrannyGrumps

Try not to be disheartened about your diagnosis, many people on the forum later reflect that their diagnosis became a catalyst which prompted them to make positive changes towards a healthier diet and more active life - not necessarily running marathons (though some do!) but making the best of whatever mobility you have to improve your physical and mental wellbeing.

One of the biggest questions when newly diagnosed, or told you are ‘at risk of diabetes’ is often what can I eat and while there are obvious things like cakes, biscuits, sweets and sugary drinks that you will be wanting to cut out straight away, you might be surprised how much *all* carbohydrate affects your BG levels, including rice, pasta, bread, pastry, grains, cereals and many fruits. Many members here find that reducing the carb content of their diet is the single biggest and most effective thing they do to improve their BG levels.

When it comes to making changes to prevent diabetes, it’s often best to tweak your menu and activity levels gradually - partly because they need to be sustainable long term, but also because very rapid and sudden changes to blood glucose levels are harder on the fine blood vessels, and changing things more gently will give your body time to adapt.

Good luck, and let us know how you are getting on 🙂

First of all, thank you for the extra advise. I have now read so much information and been directed to so many health issue sites because of my other medications I take, that It's all a bit overwhelming! I am now trying to convince myself that I don't have other health issues on top of the many I already have, due to what I've read. My head is spinning trying to take it all in. I may have to take a step back and think more sensibly when I revisit the pages again.