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Please Remember: Members are only permitted to share their own experiences. Members are not qualified to give medical advice. Additionally, everyone manages their health differently. Please be respectful of other people's opinions about their own diabetes management.
Howdy
- Thread starter Blag
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Leadinglights
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- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
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Welcome to the forum, no need to muddle but people would be more able to help you if you give a little more information about your diagnosis. For example what your HbA1C is, do you have weight you need to lose and have you been prescribed any medication as that will determine how much work you have to do and what life style changes you are needed.
A positive attitude that you get do this helps enormously.
Thanks Leadinglights. First off I'm not sure what HbA1C is. I am seriously overweight and my primary goal is to lose weight. I have been prescribed Metformin, Ramipril and Atorvstatin. For a combination of new issues
hello and welcome @Blag, I well remember the day I received my diagnosis, unfortunately the information from the nurse at the gp surgery wasn't very helpful. Luckily I found this site and the forum. I would suggest a read through some of the threads but also the learning zone, orange button at the top of this page. On recommendation of some members of the forum I purchased the book Carbs & Cals (from Amazon) not only does it give you the measurements of different foods but also how portion size affects the Carb count at first I referred to it daily now only if I'm trying something different to eat good luck 🙂
Leadinglights
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The HbA1C is a blood test that would have been done and gives the average blood glucose over the previous three months and a level over 47mmol/mol would give you a diabetes diagnosis. As you have been given metformin I assume you are a fair way into the diabetes zone. Metformin helps the body use the insulin it produces more effectively but also need attention to diet as well.
This link has good explanation about a low carbohydrate approach to reducing blood glucose and is a way of losing weight, many have found that a successful way.
Freshwell Low Carb Project - Home
lowcarbfreshwell.co.uk
So a bit of a cocktail of meds but they will hopefully make you feel better.
Reducing carbohydrates is important but idt is better to reduce them gradually over a few weeks as it allows your body to adjust and avoid issues with your eyes and nerves.
I'm liking this already thank you all. My HbA1C is 56. I was only really spoken too yesterday properly about it and it seems a lot to take in. I've already ordered the carbs and calories book thank you. Also The Obesity Code. I have 5 grandchildren I need to see grow up. So I'm very determined to get my health in check
D
Deleted member 21371
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I just lost weight, and reversed my diabetes that way.
Thanks that's great to hear. I hope I will be that successful
D
Deleted member 21371
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I did a low fat diet for around a year, with the help of the NHS, then did the 800 calorie shake based Newcastle Diet, and lost 5 stone overall.
- Relationship to Diabetes
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Welcome to the forum @Blag
Great to see you are so determined to make some positive changes, and have a really strong motivation to do so, in your family and grandkids 🙂 Try not to be disheartened about your diagnosis, many people on the forum later reflect that their diagnosis became a sort of catalyst which prompted them to make positive changes towards a healthier and more active life. Perhaps changes that they had been intending to make for years!
Diabetes is a marathon, not a sprint. And it can help to make gradual and sustainable changes over an extended period, rather than trying to ’fix it’ all in a hurry. Rapid changes in general glucose levels are much harder on the fine blood vessels in the eyes, and on the nerve endings, so it’s kinder on the body to work away at it steadily and gradually 🙂
Diabetes is also very individual, and one of the secrets to success is finding a way of managing your individual diabetes in a way that suits you as a person, and fits into your life (rather than your life having to revolve completely around your diabetes).
Two of the big strategies are
Weight loss - research has shown that fairly substantial weight loss (around 10kg depending on starting point) can get people theough their personal ‘fat threshold’ and reduce visceral fat that has built up around organs in the abdomen stopping them from working properly. Weight loss also helps to reduce insulin resistance, and has many significant health benefits aside from improvements to your diabetes including reducing cancer risk and improving heart health.
Moderating carbohydrate Intake - It is all carbs, not just sugars, that have the biggest impact on blood glucose levels of all the food groups. So finding the right types of carbs, and the right portion sizes to suit your body and your metabolism can be a really helpful strategy.
Some members tend to focus more on one of those approaches than the other, and others use a blend.
It’s really finding out what works for you and suits your body 🙂
Good luck, and let us know how you get on 🙂
Felinia
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
Morning and welcome
The good news is - you've found us, and you are at the lower end of the diabetic scale. Hopefully by losing weight and tweaking your diet, you will be able to reduce the HbA1c out of the diabetic range. One thing I found very helpful was to get an app to track my calories and carbs. There are several and it's easier than pen and paper or constantly looking at labels. I plan at the beginning of the day so I know exactly what I am having, and I weigh my portions. Sounds a pain, but I just keep digital scales and a clear bowl on the kitchen top, so it only takes a matter of seconds.
If you have a partner, it would help to get them involved, particularly if they are the cook. When you are ready and able, building up your exercise will help and I've found it's good for your wellbeing. Best wishes
The good news is - you've found us, and you are at the lower end of the diabetic scale. Hopefully by losing weight and tweaking your diet, you will be able to reduce the HbA1c out of the diabetic range. One thing I found very helpful was to get an app to track my calories and carbs. There are several and it's easier than pen and paper or constantly looking at labels. I plan at the beginning of the day so I know exactly what I am having, and I weigh my portions. Sounds a pain, but I just keep digital scales and a clear bowl on the kitchen top, so it only takes a matter of seconds.
If you have a partner, it would help to get them involved, particularly if they are the cook. When you are ready and able, building up your exercise will help and I've found it's good for your wellbeing. Best wishes
Leadinglights
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- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
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- She/Her
I think that book is by Dr Jason Fung who also wrote The Diabetes Code, and I found his explanation and theory made sense though I have seen a few who don't hold with it.
You should find Carbs and Cals very useful, it was and still is my bible for making some food choices.
Thant was my attitude to I wanted to behtere for my daughters and 5 grandchildren and wouldn't become a burden on them.
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