Hello

[jnoble20987]

Hi everyone. My name is Jamie.

I’ve recently been diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes and as someone who loves food (I can honestly say as a non-smoker who barely drinks it is my only vice) I’m feeling completely overwhelmed by the changes that I need to make to my life.

I’m someone who lives quite a sedentary life, I’ve always been a “big” bloke but I’ve remained reasonably healthy until two things happened, Covid/Lockdown and being prescribed Sertraline for mental health issues. Thankfully I’m now off the latter but the impact on my weight has been harder to deal with.

I’m learning to eat more veggies and go on a low carb diet, which is frankly terrifying for me, but something I must do. I’m also learning to exercise more and get out more. If anyone has any links to low intensity workouts that are overweight friendly, that would be amazing!

Anyway that’s my story. I just thought I’d say hello!

Jamie

 

[Tim Aylesbury]

Welcome Jamie to the Forum.

Regards.

Tim.

 

[Vonny]

Hi Jamie and welcome from an ex-terrified low-carber! I can honestly say that the thought of changing my diet to low carb was the end of my world. Which actually it was, but in a good way.
Just take things one day at a time. If I'd looked at the years stretching out before me, I'd have just eaten cake to cheer myself up. Instead I did it one long, awful day at a time, but then the days speeded up and I started missing my chips and bread less and less. Seems they are addictive and the fewer you eat, the less you crave.
Re exercise, I can't manage the high impact stuff, I just walk everywhere. I also did a bit with weights, but I now have an inguinal hernia so have stopped those (the weights didn't cause it, it was the coal merchant stopping doing 10kg bags and only doing 25kg bags this winter which caused that! That and the fact I keep forgetting I'm 64!)
Keep up the good work with the veggies and fewer carbs 🙂

 

[Drummer]

@jnoble20987 don't worry about food choices - there are lots of things you can eat as a type 2, though it might be a bit more problematic if you restrict for other reasons.
Any meat, fish, eggs, cheese, yoghurt and other dairy is fine. Low carb veges, mushrooms, low carb fruit such as berries are all good, as are herbs, spices and flavourings.
Low carb has other benefits such as reducing weight and blood pressure for many people

 

[Ciara DUK]

Hi Jamie @jnoble20987 , and welcome to the forum 🙂

Thanks for sharing your story and giving some information about how you manage your diabetes, and for saying how you're finding things.

Sorry to hear that things have felt somewhat 'terrifying' as you've said - we're all here to help each other, and it's really encouraging to know you want to know and learn more about the everyday changes you can make.

Have you come across the meal plans on our website? There's quite a few to browse, but there is a 'low carb' one you might find good for some inspiration https://www.diabetes.org.uk/guide-to-diabetes/enjoy-food/eating-with-diabetes/meal-plans/low-carb

You might also like to take a look at our section of the website around diabetes and exercise, which has some really good information (linked here: https://www.diabetes.org.uk/guide-to-diabetes/managing-your-diabetes/exercise). In terms of 'low-risk' activities, I understand some on the forum have found 'aqua aerobics' good as the water helps support you as you move.

The forum is a lovely community, and we're all here for each other - please feel free to ask away with any questions you might have 🙂

 

[Leadinglights]

People do imagine that there is nothing they can eat but that cannot be further from the truth, It is making the right choices of course that is important. Yes reduction in carbohydrates is needed but you can still have meat, fish, eggs, cheese, dairy, nuts, and plenty of veg and fruits like berries. Just cutting out the high carb sugary foods, cakes, biscuits, sugary drink but reducing portions of the other big hitters like breakfast cereals, bread, potatoes, rice, pasta, pastry will be a good start.
Have a look at this link for a good explanation and ideas for a low carb approach which you have mentioned as being interested in trying. https://lowcarbfreshwell.co.uk/
Low carb is suggested as being no more than 130g carbs per day, it is not NO carbs.

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Welcome to the forum @jnoble20987

I hope that comparing notes with others on the forum helps you to discover a BG-friendly menu that you can actively enjoy.

Well done on the changes you have made already. Do you have a follow-up check up arranged? Were you told your HbA1c at diagnosis, so that you know your starting point?