Struggling with type 2

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Amylou90

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Type 2
Hi everyone
I was recently diagnosed with type 2 in June this year, after been admitted to hospital with blood sugars of 22+ it was there I was diagnosed. My first week or two I made massive changes and was feeling positive but then we went on holiday and of course everything went back to how it was before but I was being more careful. I have since struggled to get back on track and I am slipping back into old habits. I’m fed up of having to think about food and worrying about what to eat and my blood sugar levels. My weight isn’t moving as I’m not eating like I should. I have been put on Metformin. I guess I’m just looking for support and advice and friendly faces thank you
 
Hi, and welcome to the forum. Everyone finds it tough at first so you're not alone in that respect. You do seem to have started from a pretty high BG level (I did too) so it's really important that you start to bring that down by addressing your diet, being more active, taking your medication and (if needed) losing some weight. You'll get plenty of advice and support from members who are experienced in managing their diabetes day-to-day, so please feel free to post about anything that you're struggling with.
 
Thank you! My blood sugars are more stable now usually between 4.5 & 7.8 but I am unsure of my hbac1 I am due a check up with my diabetic nurse over the next few weeks. I have been more active and been going to the gym and I have been eating healthier meals I just struggle with my mindset and I struggle massively with snacking! I’m used to just grabbing crisps chocolate biscuits etc I work in an office aswell so there is always treats about which makes it so much harder to avoid my favourite treats!
 
Amylou90 said:
Hi everyone
I was recently diagnosed with type 2 in June this year, after been admitted to hospital with blood sugars of 22+ it was there I was diagnosed. My first week or two I made massive changes and was feeling positive but then we went on holiday and of course everything went back to how it was before but I was being more careful. I have since struggled to get back on track and I am slipping back into old habits. I’m fed up of having to think about food and worrying about what to eat and my blood sugar levels. My weight isn’t moving as I’m not eating like I should. I have been put on Metformin. I guess I’m just looking for support and advice and friendly faces thank you
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Good Morning Amylou90 sorry your feeling the way you are, one of the things about Diabetes it can take a toll on your mental health thats the other side to Diabetes i know constantly thinking about food, insulin, blood sugar levels it can leave you exhausted try to give your mind a rest. the control will come through experience and the help from this forum
 
Amylou90 said:
I struggle massively with snacking! I’m used to just grabbing crisps chocolate biscuits etc I work in an office as well so there is always treats about which makes it so much harder to avoid my favourite treats!
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You look to be getting to a good level with your BG numbers. Are you following the usual regime of testing on waking (fasting test) and also pre-meal and 2 hours post-meal?

I tend to snack too, mid-morning and mid-afternoon, but it's either nuts, half an apple or a Nature Valley or KIND nut bar. Much as I'd like a bag of McCoy's Salt & Vinegar crisps, or a chocolate digestive, I won't even have them in the house. Be strong.
 
The important thing is to find a way of eating that you enjoy so it just becomes your normal menu. It is quite acceptable in the work place just to politely say no thank you to anything unsuitable on offer, it takes will power but your work mates will respect you for it as it will show you are taking your condition seriously. Just as if somebody has a food allergy, is vegetarian or doesn't eat something for religious reasons that is normally respected.
As far as snacks, as yourself the reason for the snacks, is it hunger, habit, boredom. Making sure your meals have enough protein and healthy fats, having a drink rather than food, finding something else to keep you occupied at those 'danger' times will all help restrict the snacking. Choosing good options, nuts, cheese, something like the protein nut bars like the Nature Valley ones which are low carbs.
Many do find that by cutting down on high carb foods then they no longer feel the need for them and there are far more tasty options.
Have a look at this link for some ideas for modifying your diet and some good information, various meal plans and recipes to suit many tastes. https://lowcarbfreshwell.com/
 
AceFace said:
Good Morning Amylou90 sorry your feeling the way you are, one of the things about Diabetes it can take a toll on your mental health thats the other side to Diabetes i know constantly thinking about food, insulin, blood sugar levels it can leave you exhausted try to give your mind a rest. the control will come through experience and the help from this forum
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Thank you!
 
Martin.A said:
You look to be getting to a good level with your BG numbers. Are you following the usual regime of testing on waking (fasting test) and also pre-meal and 2 hours post-meal?

I tend to snack too, mid-morning and mid-afternoon, but it's either nuts, half an apple or a Nature Valley or KIND nut bar. Much as I'd like a bag of McCoy's Salt & Vinegar crisps, or a chocolate digestive, I won't even have them in the house. Be strong.
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I do testing at least twice a day as instructed by my nurse. Fasting test first thing in the morning and then usually before my evening meal, sometimes 2 hours after. Haha yes we have children so there are always snacks available but I have been reducing them! I have been swapping my usual snacks for healthier alternatives but some days are mega HARD and my willpower struggles!
 
Welcome to the forum @Amylou90

Diabetes can be a huge change in the beginning, and it almost takes a change of mindset.

Making positive choices for yourself, rather than feeling you are constantly denying yourself ‘nice things’ - it can be the difference between feeling “I can’t eat that” (because someone has told me I’m not allowed) vs “I don’t eat that” (because of the negative effect it has on my health), or - importantly - I used to eat that, but now I usually have this instead…

Snacking can be a really hard habit to break. Regularly nibbling at certain times if day can mean your body learns to expect food at that point, and complains if you don’t provide it!

Keeping busy/occupied/engrossed in activity, keeping well hydrated, or transitioning to lower carb options (or increasing the satiety/fullness triggers of meals beforehand) can be effective strategies.

Other people find a hard stop easier than tapering. But only you’ll know the right strategy for you 🙂
 
Hey @Amylou90, Nice to see you on here.
I was only diagnosed in July at a reasonably high level and, like you, work in an industry where chocolates, cakes and sweets are brought in by nice people everyday. My last contract they had them next to the kettle so I couldn't get away from them, it took some strong will power I can tell you!
Like all of them on here have said (and also they provided me and others with their great advice on this forum) its making those positive changes. For me it was being organised and making lunches flavoursome, with salads with olive oil, chicken or fish, nuts and a range of different veg to make it so tasty, or cooking up extra portions of last nights tea and having some cauliflower rice to warm up at work with it. Saves having to go to a sandwich bar as well as saving pennies.
As for snacking, as they've said, some nuts in your desk drawer (or I had peanut butter and a spoon!lol) or some mini cheeses or fresh fruits and berries are great to graze on.
My exercise I worked in was, by getting off the train a stop earlier and walking (with purpose) into work, getting my steps up to about 6000+ and I really didn't notice I was getting 'exercise' (although I did take a change of T-shirt when I got into work!). You just have to factor leaving for work 30 mins earlier.
All of this has made me feel better both in myself and my body. I don't find it a drag finding what to eat, its exciting to eat new things I haven't before which is a nice challenge. The recipes on @Leadinglights lowcarbfreshwell are really tasty, I have done some out of the Matthew Mosley books and last night, from this very website, a fantastic (and quick) Thai Chicken Stir Fry with cauliflower and broccoli rice. They are really worth a look.
I hope you find your rhythm and what suits you and how you work. I know it's not easy but everyone here will help out and give advice, support and the odd joke to keep you getting through. You can do it. :D :D :D
 
There’s no denying it can sometimes be hard work having to constantly think about what you can and can’t eat but once you get into a regular pattern, it does get much easier.

Only you can decide what your motivators are for keeping your BG levels under control. For me personally, I only have to think back to how very, very tired I felt this time last year and any wavering motivation is back!! I have also done various bits of damage to myself from having consistently high BG levels so don’t want to make things worse in this area.

I sometimes feel I’m walking a tightrope where some days it would be too easy to fall off and swim in chocolate mousse but going back to my old eating habits cannot be an option.

Take one day at a time. You may fall off the food wagon for one day but don’t let that one day turn into one week then one month, then forever.
 
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