I was diagnosed with diabetes 2 around October time. I was prescribed metformin 1 twice a day. Felt very low over Christmas due to I think having a few sugary foods but hardly anything and felt a little out of control. Finding it very hard. Trying to lose weight too with hardly any success. Any help is much appreciated.
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New to diabetes
- Thread starter GMarie
- Start date
- Status
Hi @GMarie, welcome to the forum. I am sorry that Christmas was a little stressful for you, I think we all found it a bit challenging with all the temptation around!
Are you aware that it’s carbohydrates that are our enemy as well as obvious sugars? Things like bread, pasta, rice and potatoes will push our numbers up, fruit is also a bit of a mine field, especially the tropical fruit as it is highest in natural sugar.
I chose to go low carb which meant I could increase the healthy fats without risking weight gain, I’m not much of a gym person so I started borrowing my neighbours dog and just walking, my bloods are now consistently in range and I have lost over 3 and a half stone.
I learned all I needed to know from these pages so do take some time and read as much as you can, then ask any questions, everyone here is so helpful and there is no stupid question! Testing your bloods before a meal, then again about two hours after, tracking with a food diary, will soon show you what foods work best for you
Are you aware that it’s carbohydrates that are our enemy as well as obvious sugars? Things like bread, pasta, rice and potatoes will push our numbers up, fruit is also a bit of a mine field, especially the tropical fruit as it is highest in natural sugar.
I chose to go low carb which meant I could increase the healthy fats without risking weight gain, I’m not much of a gym person so I started borrowing my neighbours dog and just walking, my bloods are now consistently in range and I have lost over 3 and a half stone.
I learned all I needed to know from these pages so do take some time and read as much as you can, then ask any questions, everyone here is so helpful and there is no stupid question! Testing your bloods before a meal, then again about two hours after, tracking with a food diary, will soon show you what foods work best for you
I bet your neighbours dog is happy. I think many doctors are far too quick to prescribe drugs like metformin. Mine told me to lose 10% of my weight, cut carbs and exercise. My BG levels are gradually approaching normal, count those carbs!Hi @GMarie, welcome to the forum. I am sorry that Christmas was a little stressful for you, I think we all found it a bit challenging with all the temptation around!
Are you aware that it’s carbohydrates that are our enemy as well as obvious sugars? Things like bread, pasta, rice and potatoes will push our numbers up, fruit is also a bit of a mine field, especially the tropical fruit as it is highest in natural sugar.
I chose to go low carb which meant I could increase the healthy fats without risking weight gain, I’m not much of a gym person so I started borrowing my neighbours dog and just walking, my bloods are now consistently in range and I have lost over 3 and a half stone.
I learned all I needed to know from these pages so do take some time and read as much as you can, then ask any questions, everyone here is so helpful and there is no stupid question! Testing your bloods before a meal, then again about two hours after, tracking with a food diary, will soon show you what foods work best for you
Thank you for your advice CathyB. Today I done 1 hour of strenuous Aqua aerobic. Drank a chocolate highlights drink after. 1/2 packet equivalent. 2 hours later I had a reading of 10.9. If I didn't have the glucose monitor that I bought myself then I wouldn't have known my sugar is high. My doctor said I didn't need a monitor. I obviously do!!! Do you think all these years of trying to lose weight have been hindered by high glucose levels? Also is it true that it takes 10 hours of sugar burn before the fat is burned?
Also I notice that my biggest problem is weight around the middle that is hard to shift. Does anyone else find this too?
Is it possible to get constant readings of between 4 and 7 if I can lose weight and get into control?
Sorry if these questions seem a little stupid but I am new to all of this and trying to work it all out.
Also I notice that my biggest problem is weight around the middle that is hard to shift. Does anyone else find this too?
Is it possible to get constant readings of between 4 and 7 if I can lose weight and get into control?
Sorry if these questions seem a little stupid but I am new to all of this and trying to work it all out.
AdeV
Active Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
Hi GMarie
I don't know about the sugar burn thing. I did watch a video on Youtube given by some professor of something or other who said basically, your muscle's glycogen stores (that's the "instant energy" store they use) are full; sugar tops them up, excess sugar then either turns to fat or - in our cases, wanders around in our bloodstream causing general mayhem. Adding more sugar just makes things worse - and by sugar, I also mean simple carbohydrates such as starch.
I've got to rush and catch a train, so just briefly: Yes, belly fat is the hardest to lose (first on, last off). Yes, it's possible to get near normal readings if you diet, do a bit of light exercise, and dodge the carbs. And no, your questions aren't stupid! We all have to start learning somewhere, and for most of us Type 2s, diabetes simply hasn't been on the radar until we get that letter from the doctor....
Gotta go, welcome BTW!
I don't know about the sugar burn thing. I did watch a video on Youtube given by some professor of something or other who said basically, your muscle's glycogen stores (that's the "instant energy" store they use) are full; sugar tops them up, excess sugar then either turns to fat or - in our cases, wanders around in our bloodstream causing general mayhem. Adding more sugar just makes things worse - and by sugar, I also mean simple carbohydrates such as starch.
I've got to rush and catch a train, so just briefly: Yes, belly fat is the hardest to lose (first on, last off). Yes, it's possible to get near normal readings if you diet, do a bit of light exercise, and dodge the carbs. And no, your questions aren't stupid! We all have to start learning somewhere, and for most of us Type 2s, diabetes simply hasn't been on the radar until we get that letter from the doctor....
Gotta go, welcome BTW!
Eddy Edson
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- In remission from Type 2
This is the premise of the "Newcastle Diet" - lose enough weight and your pancreas can unclog itself and start producing enough insulin again, while at the same time yr insulin resistance will improve, breaking the nasty T2D cycle and so reversing your diabetes - unless you pack the weight back on.
It's worth having a serious look. This FAQ from co-lead researcher Roy Taylor is a good place to start: https://www.ncl.ac.uk/media/wwwncla...ecentre/files/2018 Diabetes reversal info.pdf
Trials to date have been funded by Diabetes UK. The NHS now plans a 5,000 patient roll out during 2019. Maybe talk with your doc about it, see whether they are part of the roll out or intend to be.
Active member here @travellor achieved reversal as part of the extended trial roll-out.
The approach is best known for using an 800 cal liquid diet short-term intervention to quickly reduce weight, followed by a managed process to bring calories up to a normal level and sustain the weight loss. You'll see from the FAQ that Taylor doesn't believe the 800 cal thing is essential, but it may be easier for some people versus a longer-term grind.
I've done something like the grind approach, losing 15 kg (the recommended amount) over 7 months or so. Dunno whether I've actually achieved reversal but for the moment my BG looks pretty "normal" (including 4-7 levels over the day) without being aggressively low carb - so at the least it's let me achieve pretty good control.
Good luck and certainly feel free to ask any questions!
GMarie, my advice would be to focus on the the diet changes rather than the weight, you will naturally lose the weight by cutting the carbohydrates and moderate activity on a regular basis. To kick start things I would avoid things like the highlights hot choc, in time you will be able to reintroduce things like that and check how well you tolerate it, if I’d have had a hot choc at the start then my bloods would have shot up to double numbers, now that my food is well controlled I can have one now and again and stay in single numbers.
Drummer
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
Cadbury Highlights drink, if made with the suggested amount of powder plus water is about 4 gm of carbs, so not all that high, so you might be reacting to the exercise. Some people find that strenuous exercise elevates BG levels, presumably their liver releases glucose to help maintain the output.
I tend to do low impact exercise, using my trampoline is kind to my knees too so that is what I stick to. I look forward to the buds breaking on the apple trees as that is when I go outside to the big bouncer in the garden.
I tend to do low impact exercise, using my trampoline is kind to my knees too so that is what I stick to. I look forward to the buds breaking on the apple trees as that is when I go outside to the big bouncer in the garden.
P.s. start a food diary, check your bg before you eat and again 2 hours after, you are idealllooking for a raise of no more than 2, if it’s more then you need to adjust the carb content and try again next time. Remember it’s rice, potatoes, pasta and bread are the enemies although many of us can eat Burgen bread, a soya and linseed option that is low carb...
Hahaha Drummer i now have a wonderful picturing my head of you bouncing on the trampoline whilst picking apples
Drummer
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
It has been known.....Hahaha Drummer i now have a wonderful picturing my head of you bouncing on the trampoline whilst picking apples
D
Deleted member 21371
Guest
I did the Newcastle diet.
I found carbs are a lifetime choice for diet.
The Newcastle diet, specifically seems to target internal fat.
It worked for me.
High impact exercise was good too.
I also ignored any internet advice on BG rises.
If I was 4, I certainly didn't feel I was a failure if I stayed in the normal range and rose to 8.5.
Check out the link here for the targets to aim for.
https://www.diabetes.org.uk/guide-to-diabetes/managing-your-diabetes/testing
If you make any change to your lifestyle. your readings will be all over the place for around two weeks.
After that, take stock of where you are.
I found carbs are a lifetime choice for diet.
The Newcastle diet, specifically seems to target internal fat.
It worked for me.
High impact exercise was good too.
I also ignored any internet advice on BG rises.
If I was 4, I certainly didn't feel I was a failure if I stayed in the normal range and rose to 8.5.
Check out the link here for the targets to aim for.
https://www.diabetes.org.uk/guide-to-diabetes/managing-your-diabetes/testing
If you make any change to your lifestyle. your readings will be all over the place for around two weeks.
After that, take stock of where you are.
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