Newbie to diabetes t2

[Failedextremeathlete]

Hi all, just been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Hba1c 80 to go with bp of 195/120.Now on a couple of bp tablets plus metformin 2 a day up to 3 a day by next week. Trying to lose some weight, have managed a stone so far in 3 weeks. My main problem seems to be my eyesight, especially peripheral vision in left eye. Had eye test and was told no damage but still very worried. Any ideas on how much exercise is ok ? GP is always vague at the best of times. I usually mountain bike but with eyesight problems don’t want to ride into a tree and add injuries to the list. Thanks for looking

 

[Ralph-YK]

Welcome to the forum from a fellow T2.
No idea how much exercise, nor what sort, is any good. HCP won't let on, and info is scarce on this.
It's possible that as you're levels change that will affect you eyes. I've heard they should get better and settle down. I was advised not to rush out and get new glasses, 9 months in. Having got new glasses at 3 months in.

 

[rebrascora]

Hi and welcome.
Whilst I appreciate that you are probably into more thrill seeking pursuits, a good brisk walk is pretty much as good as you can get for lowering BG levels. If you can factor in some hills all the better.
Your eyesight should improve as BG levels come down.
Low carb eating is also beneficial and not just the sweet stuff like sweets cakes and biscuits but also fruit and fruit juice and most significantly reducing your starchy carbs like bread, pasta, rice, potatoes and breakfast cereal should make a dramatic improvement not just to your HbA1c but also help with your weight loss.....by the way, well done on your progress so far with that!

 

[Greymouser]

Welcome to the forum. 🙂

I was unaware of there being any limit on how much exercise a diabetic can do, indeed some go to extremes it seems, though not me! If you have not already got one, I would suggest a codefree meter to test you BG levels before and after eating too. Good start though, well done. 🙂

 

[rebrascora]

Welcome to the forum. 🙂

I was unaware of there being any limit on how much exercise a diabetic can do, indeed some go to extremes it seems, though not me! If you have not already got one, I would suggest a codefree meter to test you BG levels before and after eating too. Good start though, well done. 🙂

Whilst your BG levels are high in the early stages of diagnosis, I believe it is safer to stick to low level exercise and indeed it is this type of steady activity like a brisk walk or digging the garden which is often most beneficial in bringing levels down. More exertive aerobic activity can trigger the liver to release more glucose into the blood stream in the short term and therefore be counter productive. Once levels are being managed within an acceptable range and a person's fitness is taken into consideration then I don't think there is anything off limits exercise wise.

 

[CathyB]

Hi and welcome, well done on the weight loss so far! My eyesight was all over the place when i was diagnosed, I thought I was going mad, glasses on....glasses off.....glasses on...!! It could vary in seconds where I could go from not needing my regular glasses to being unable to read large print with them on. As my blood sugars came down, things stabilised and returned to more or less where I was.

 

[Failedextremeathlete]

Thanks for the replies everyone. I’m looking forward to getting back out and hammering it on my mountain bike but at the moment my eyesight is still not as it should be.dont want to go mad though. Have just purchased a BG meter so I can be more aware of what’s going on, just need to familiarise myself with how to use it now