New results

[Winifreds child]

Hi I thought I would show my new results after 8 weeks I have come down from 49 to 43 I haven’t spoken yet to anyone as I read the result on my patient records and it does say no further action needed so I think maybe I go back to having a yearly test….I was prescribed metformin but allowed to try to wait first and see what I could do myself….I have lost just under 2 stones in weight…to be honest I need really to go down one more to put me in a normal range …I haven’t lost anything for at least three weeks now….I don’t feel I can eat less I don’t eat potatoes bread rice or pasta I get very bored with what I do eat but feel determined to do better but struggle at the moment I feel my relationship with food has become bad I do eat very healthy I’m terrified of eating a piece of bread I should be pleased with my results but actually although I know I’m lucky if I can keep off the medication a lot better off than some diabetics but I feel it’s a life sentence for never really being able to eat what I enjoy…if I got down to a level of about 38 would I have a bit more freedom to eat a little bit more carbs or would I immediately undo my progress…I thought I would be feeling better and shocked with myself for being like this …I have known a couple of people who have lost 6 stones and instead of being happy just live frightened of food so this is similar….I did a finger prick test of 6 early morning and spent the entire day imagining it’s going up again and could work out why …not sure if I just haven’t accepted my situation yet …I’m grateful for the advice I had from this forum I’m sure I wouldn’t have known where to start or what I would have done ….has anyone else experienced this sort of disappointment.

 

[BobbleHat]

I think it's starting to be talked about more - especially places like this - but the mental/psychological aspects of diabetes are as hard, if not more so, than the physical aspects. I barely ate anything for the first 3 days after my diagnosis, totally convinced I was going to wake up blind or with foot damage. And then I felt very angry that I couldn't eat chocolate or doughnuts anymore.

I'm going to share my story at little, if that's OK (I worry that I make other people thread's about me, but I'm neurodivergent and have finally worked out that sharing lived experience is my way of forming connections and showing empathy!)

I was diagnosed last July with an hba1c of 52 (BMI of 40). I'm under 50 with a cardiovascular risk of less than 10% so my nurse suggested I try without meds first (which is good because I went planning to decline meds anyway!). That was great - her dietary suggestions less so. Most of us have had the experience of being given the standard healthy NHS eating advice - which is not necessarily the healthiest way for a diabetic to eat. Switching to wholemeal carbs and halving my portion of potatoes wouldn't have helped me.

Fortunately, my sister is T2 (in remission) and diabetic specialist nurse (one with an interest in dietary management for those for whom it's safe and appropriate). Between her and this wonderful forum, I was introduced to the Freshwell App (has anyone linked you to it yet?) and the concept of low carb. Initially I was terrified of never eating my favourite high carb foods but, do you know what, I was talking to someone the other day about losing 30lbs, getting my BMI to just under 35 so far and my hba1c to 39 in November and I remarked that I love the way I eat now, I feel sooo much better and I don't feel deprived at all. I'm happy to eat this way for the rest of my life.

We're all different and there is a bit of work to do around finding what suits you in all this.

I like to cook so I have fun tweaking recipes to suit my lower carb lifestyle. I'm happy with substitutions (like celeriac for potatoes or cauliflower rice for white rice) - not everyone is, but this works for me. I bake low carb bread and, in a pinch (like today, when I wanted toast with my scrambled egg), I make 90 sec 'bread' in the microwave - and I was happy, well fed and full!

The other thing is my tastes have changed. I had the most intense sweet tooth for most of my life. I don't now. I had a pastry from our local garden centre the other day, enjoyed a few bites very much then realised it was too sweet and I didn’t need the rest!

I think it's important to feel what you need to feel and know that it's OK to feel disappointment or whatever else - and then allow those emotions to fuel you as you find your path through this.

 

[Taighnamona]

Well done on getting both your weight and A1c down. Please don’t underestimate yourself or your achievements. If you can, try and get free trials of a CGM. I found these invaluable in showing my glucose level responses to various foods. Lentils, potatoes and wheat products spiked me high.
I try to manage on 50-80 carbs daily and this works for me. This could include for example, a half slice of seeded whole meal bread, the occasional glass of wine and a very small portion of rice or pasta. I substitute a square of dark chocolate for all the sweets I loved to consume. Mostly I’m carnivore on eggs, fats, meats and fish. Last year I had a black coffee and scone while on holiday and my glucose shot from 5 up to 15! That was an eye opener never to be repeated.
Most type 2s face a lifetime battle with carbs unless they resort to control by medication. I unfortunately need a little insulin even on low carbs.
Using trial CGMs showed me that I could tolerate a very small amount of carbs such as pasta or rice with my evening meal but not much in the way of carbs earlier… but we are all individuals and it’s about a balance of living or just existing. Occasional splurges won’t do much harm overall but better to try and keep within 5-10 mmol but 5-8 would give you tighter control and avoid diabetic complications.
Sorry to be blunt but these include blindness, amputations, organ failure and death. Faced with those possibilities I decided to embrace my food restrictions, treating most carbs as an allergy and get on with life as best I could. My most recent A1c was 38.
You’ve taken yourself out of the diabetic range and if you can maintain that with diet while still living your life you have scope to try small freedoms. One possibility for the slowdown in your weight loss is not eating enough fats and proteins. Use your meter to chart your responses to meals/ foods.
Please don’t feel disappointed… you’re doing really well because this isn’t a sprint… it’s the rest and the best of your life.

 

[Winifreds child]

I think it's starting to be talked about more - especially places like this - but the mental/psychological aspects of diabetes are as hard, if not more so, than the physical aspects. I barely ate anything for the first 3 days after my diagnosis, totally convinced I was going to wake up blind or with foot damage. And then I felt very angry that I couldn't eat chocolate or doughnuts anymore.

I'm going to share my story at little, if that's OK (I worry that I make other people thread's about me, but I'm neurodivergent and have finally worked out that sharing lived experience is my way of forming connections and showing empathy!)

I was diagnosed last July with an hba1c of 52 (BMI of 40). I'm under 50 with a cardiovascular risk of less than 10% so my nurse suggested I try without meds first (which is good because I went planning to decline meds anyway!). That was great - her dietary suggestions less so. Most of us have had the experience of being given the standard healthy NHS eating advice - which is not necessarily the healthiest way for a diabetic to eat. Switching to wholemeal carbs and halving my portion of potatoes wouldn't have helped me.

Fortunately, my sister is T2 (in remission) and diabetic specialist nurse (one with an interest in dietary management for those for whom it's safe and appropriate). Between her and this wonderful forum, I was introduced to the Freshwell App (has anyone linked you to it yet?) and the concept of low carb. Initially I was terrified of never eating my favourite high carb foods but, do you know what, I was talking to someone the other day about losing 30lbs, getting my BMI to just under 35 so far and my hba1c to 39 in November and I remarked that I love the way I eat now, I feel sooo much better and I don't feel deprived at all. I'm happy to eat this way for the rest of my life.

We're all different and there is a bit of work to do around finding what suits you in all this.

I like to cook so I have fun tweaking recipes to suit my lower carb lifestyle. I'm happy with substitutions (like celeriac for potatoes or cauliflower rice for white rice) - not everyone is, but this works for me. I bake low carb bread and, in a pinch (like today, when I wanted toast with my scrambled egg), I make 90 sec 'bread' in the microwave - and I was happy, well fed and full!

The other thing is my tastes have changed. I had the most intense sweet tooth for most of my life. I don't now. I had a pastry from our local garden centre the other day, enjoyed a few bites very much then realised it was too sweet and I didn’t need the rest!

I think it's important to feel what you need to feel and know that it's OK to feel disappointment or whatever else - and then allow those emotions to fuel you as you find your path through this.

Thanks so much for your reply I was a bit worried after I posted that I sounded like a Mardy child …I feel better for reading your story and see how well you are doing somehow makes me feel better I hope I can get close to how you feel about it all …thank you for that

 

[Alan44]

@Winifreds child Well, my response to your post will be short.

Well done you this diabetes thing is a battle, but you have just kicked arse and in just 8 weeks

 

[Winifreds child]

Well done on getting both your weight and A1c down. Please don’t underestimate yourself or your achievements. If you can, try and get free trials of a CGM. I found these invaluable in showing my glucose level responses to various foods. Lentils, potatoes and wheat products spiked me high.
I try to manage on 50-80 carbs daily and this works for me. This could include for example, a half slice of seeded whole meal bread, the occasional glass of wine and a very small portion of rice or pasta. I substitute a square of dark chocolate for all the sweets I loved to consume. Mostly I’m carnivore on eggs, fats, meats and fish. Last year I had a black coffee and scone while on holiday and my glucose shot from 5 up to 15! That was an eye opener never to be repeated.
Most type 2s face a lifetime battle with carbs unless they resort to control by medication. I unfortunately need a little insulin even on low carbs.
Using trial CGMs showed me that I could tolerate a very small amount of carbs such as pasta or rice with my evening meal but not much in the way of carbs earlier… but we are all individuals and it’s about a balance of living or just existing. Occasional splurges won’t do much harm overall but better to try and keep within 5-10 mmol but 5-8 would give you tighter control and avoid diabetic complications.
Sorry to be blunt but these include blindness, amputations, organ failure and death. Faced with those possibilities I decided to embrace my food restrictions, treating most carbs as an allergy and get on with life as best I could. My most recent A1c was 38.
You’ve taken yourself out of the diabetic range and if you can maintain that with diet while still living your life you have scope to try small freedoms. One possibility for the slowdown in your weight loss is not eating enough fats and proteins. Use your meter to chart your responses to meals/ foods.
Please don’t feel disappointed… you’re doing really well because this isn’t a sprint… it’s the rest and the best of your life.

Hi thank you for the reply I think your suggestion of charting my response to meals to get an idea how I react to different foods it might make me feel a bit more in control and what you say about a life time battle I think I’m probably still coming to accept this is for ever for a while I felt better and in control and getting somewhere and then suddenly seem to have the overwhelming feeling that I dread the next meal that I seem to have to put so much thought into ….I’ve just come down with a stinking cold it’s probably made me a bit down ….and it’s true I can never do things fast enough but it’s not a race ….I would love to get down to where you are 38 that’s what I had in mind I hope to get up tomorrow in a better frame of mind …thanks so much for the encouragement I really appreciate it I do

 

[Winifreds child]

@Winifreds child Well, my response to your post will be short.

Well done you this diabetes thing is a battle, but you have just kicked arse and in just 8 weeks

Thanks for your message it made me smile

 

[silver minion]

Well done on losing 2 stone and getting your hbA1c to 43 in such a short space of time. Don't sell yourself short. It's a great achievement.
Coming to terms with the changes to your diet does take longer but you will find your palate adapts. Trying out small portions of a food you really miss as part of a meal will let you know how much you can tolerate. Don't be afraid to experiment. It's important that you can enjoy your food again and not just treat it as healthy fuel for your body.
I occasionally have chips with a meal, but only 10 chips. Not big ones and I have extra meat/fish and veg to fill up my plate.

Wishing you continued success on your diabetes journey. Have faith in yourself and remember the forum is here to support you along the way.

 

[Leadinglights]

The value of testing before and 2 hours after eating is you can not only see what foods it is a good idea to avoid or reduce your portion size but you may find there are food which you have otherwise rejected because they seem too high carb but which might be fine for you.
It maybe some of the meals you are missing can have some tweaks so you can still enjoy them.
There is plenty of variety of meals even if low carb, check out the recipes and menu plans in this link. https://lowcarbfreshwell.com/

 

[Winifreds child]

Well done on losing 2 stone and getting your hbA1c to 43 in such a short space of time. Don't sell yourself short. It's a great achievement.
Coming to terms with the changes to your diet does take longer but you will find your palate adapts. Trying out small portions of a food you really miss as part of a meal will let you know how much you can tolerate. Don't be afraid to experiment. It's important that you can enjoy your food again and not just treat it as healthy fuel for your body.
I occasionally have chips with a meal, but only 10 chips. Not big ones and I have extra meat/fish and veg to fill up my plate.

Wishing you continued success on your diabetes journey. Have faith in yourself and remember the forum is here to support you along the way.

Well done on losing 2 stone and getting your hbA1c to 43 in such a short space of time. Don't sell yourself short. It's a great achievement.
Coming to terms with the changes to your diet does take longer but you will find your palate adapts. Trying out small portions of a food you really miss as part of a meal will let you know how much you can tolerate. Don't be afraid to experiment. It's important that you can enjoy your food again and not just treat it as healthy fuel for your body.
I occasionally have chips with a meal, but only 10 chips. Not big ones and I have extra meat/fish and veg to fill up my plate.

Wishing you continued success on your diabetes journey. Have faith in yourself and remember the forum is here to support you along the way.

Thanks so much for the advice…I find it a great help to hear about individual stories and most often take something from that that is useful that I could try and seeing you occasionally have those chips makes a difference….I’ve been afraid to go off my strict diet i case I undo the progress and I do need to have the confidence to experiment a little bit otherwise it might not be sustainable….im really thankful for the support

 

[Winifreds child]

The value of testing before and 2 hours after eating is you can not only see what foods it is a good idea to avoid or reduce your portion size but you may find there are food which you have otherwise rejected because they seem too high carb but which might be fine for you.
It maybe some of the meals you are missing can have some tweaks so you can still enjoy them.
There is plenty of variety of meals even if low carb, check out the recipes and menu plans in this link. https://lowcarbfreshwell.com/

The value of testing before and 2 hours after eating is you can not only see what foods it is a good idea to avoid or reduce your portion size but you may find there are food which you have otherwise rejected because they seem too high carb but which might be fine for you.
It maybe some of the meals you are missing can have some tweaks so you can still enjoy them.
There is plenty of variety of meals even if low carb, check out the recipes and menu plans in this link. https://lowcarbfreshwell.com/

Hi thanks for the message yes I’m going to do just that starting tomorrow I might feel a bit more in control then …and maybe able to include more variety I’ve just been sticking to a handful of meals although I got results it’s become boring and I use to be a big cook making everything from scratch…I seem to have just about given up in the kitchen…it will be useful to know what things spike me the most…thanks very much for your suggestions

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Hi thanks for the message yes I’m going to do just that starting tomorrow I might feel a bit more in control then …and maybe able to include more variety I’ve just been sticking to a handful of meals although I got results it’s become boring and I use to be a big cook making everything from scratch…I seem to have just about given up in the kitchen…it will be useful to know what things spike me the most…thanks very much for your suggestions

Hope you find that information motivating and helpful @Winifreds child

‘Diabetes is a marathon not a sprint’, is often said on the forum. It’s also a fickle and nonsensical condition at times, and can be fiercely individual. So there’s really no way to properly understand which foods / sources of carbs are best for you without checking for yourself. You may get some pleasant surprises!

Monitoring your individual body’s response to foods is not just about finding what you can’t eat, it can also be about finding portion sizes and combinations (or situations), where something you thought was tricky actually ends up being fine.

Eg I can eat that, as long as I only have x much… or have it in combination with y… or have it when I know I’ll be going for a brisk z minute walk afterwards…

Good luck with finding your own tweaks and adjustments and adding a few more things to your menu to up the variety and keep the boredom at bay

 

[Winifreds child]

Hope you find that information motivating and helpful @Winifreds child

‘Diabetes is a marathon not a sprint’, is often said on the forum. It’s also a fickle and nonsensical condition at times, and can be fiercely individual. So there’s really no way to properly understand which foods / sources of carbs are best for you without checking for yourself. You may get some pleasant surprises!

Monitoring your individual body’s response to foods is not just about finding what you can’t eat, it can also be about finding portion sizes and combinations (or situations), where something you thought was tricky actually ends up being fine.

Eg I can eat that, as long as I only have x much… or have it in combination with y… or have it when I know I’ll be going for a brisk z minute walk afterwards…

Good luck with finding your own tweaks and adjustments and adding a few more things to your menu to up the variety and keep the boredom at bay

Thanks so much for the advice and encouragement I really appreciate it it’s still a learning curve for me I recently became stressed …out about it all again in spite of actually getting some improvement and feeling good as you would expect it went the other way with I could only describe as very low mood but today got up with I think the start of flu …which seems to be re occurring for me just lately …at least I think it has contributed to me feeling this way ….I do definitely intend now to start and check how foods affect me and keep some kind of record …so I still have ways I can improve that is the way to go