Type 2 for 4 years and only now taking it seriously

[Eilis]

Hi Everyone.

I have been in denial for years and not taking care of myself thus my BMs are high and I am on the max dose of Metformin.

So this is my first step in trying to look after myself better. My issue is weight and eating all the wrong foods. I am an emotional eater with zero motivation.

What chaged for me to start making small changes. I have no idea- I just want to feel and be healthy.
Thank you
Eilis

 

[grovesy]

I have found over the last couple of years that reducing portions and my carbhydrates. I have had a steady slow weight loss, that has been easy to maintain.

 

[zuludog]

A full reply to your post could fill a book, but here are a few comments

You are not alone; neither in being a diabetic, nor in having difficulty dealing with it. Posting your thread on here is a good start, and as an ancient hippy such as myself would say, the first day of the rest of your life.

I'm not an expert, but I would think that 4 years have not been long enough to do any long lasting, serious damage; though I'm willing to be corrected

Join Diabetes UK. they have a good magazine & helpline, and a very good guide for Type 2 diabetics. there may also be a local group in your area

Ask your doctor to see a diabetic Specialist Nurse or similar, and a dietician
No-one has been able to prove a link, but people with diabetes often have problems with depression, anxiety, etc, and your emotional eating & lack of motivation is probably a sign of that. Don't be ashamed or embarrassed to use antidepressants or see a psychiatrist

Get books on diabetes from your library. They will be, surprise, surprise in the health care section. Fashions and attitudes to diabetes change so some of them may not be absolutely up to date but they will all help you to understand the ins & outs, and get you used to the jargon

If you have to go onto insulin, don't panic. Modern microfine needles and insulin pens make it easy & painless. Insulin can give you better control too

Lots of areas have easy walking or fitness schemes. Ask at your GP, sports centre, or community centre

Read through as many of the old posts & threads on this forum as you can manage. Same sort of questions, problems, and advice have been on before

Once you start to change, it has a progressive or rolling effect - the more you do, the more you want to do and are able to do. Getting out and about & meeting people will help your overeating & emotions too

Best of luck Zuludog

 

[Copepod]

Welcome to the forum, Eilis.
You've made the vital first step of recognising your issues.
The Weight Loss Group section of this forum is particularly good for, well, surprisingly enough, weight loss!
As well as food, finding some activity that you enjoy and can fit into your life easily, is very important. Personally, I hate gyms and team games, although I enjoy running, especially parkruns, trail running and orienteering; and use geocaching and photography to encourage me to do more walking and cycling in addition to getting around for commuting and chores.

 

[zuludog]

There are frequent TV programmes about people losing weight, changing and improving their lifestyles and diets and so on. Even if they're not specifically about diabetes they're all aimed at the same sort of thing, and are worth watching

 

[casey jones]

hello Ellis, like you I was in denial for about 10 tears. I did not take it seriously at all. my blood sugar was any where between 10 and twenty mmol. I asked to see a consultant and during the appointment he suggested an ecg. this revealed angina, followed by a triple heart bypass. that was 4 years ago and I was put on novomix 30. myaverage is now 6.5 to 7.0. so you see you van get it under control. I learnt to watch what and how much I was eating but it took me years to accept I could leave food on the plate. good luck,.

 

[HOBIE]

I became a "Risk Accessor" (on the bus in town ctrs doing BMI s) with Duk to help people to find out sooner rather than later so they could do something about it. Welcome to the forum.

 

[Amigo]

A full reply to your post could fill a book, but here are a few comments

You are not alone; neither in being a diabetic, nor in having difficulty dealing with it. Posting your thread on here is a good start, and as an ancient hippy such as myself would say, the first day of the rest of your life.

I'm not an expert, but I would think that 4 years have not been long enough to do any long lasting, serious damage; though I'm willing to be corrected

Join Diabetes UK. they have a good magazine & helpline, and a very good guide for Type 2 diabetics. there may also be a local group in your area

Ask your doctor to see a diabetic Specialist Nurse or similar, and a dietician
No-one has been able to prove a link, but people with diabetes often have problems with depression, anxiety, etc, and your emotional eating & lack of motivation is probably a sign of that. Don't be ashamed or embarrassed to use antidepressants or see a psychiatrist

Get books on diabetes from your library. They will be, surprise, surprise in the health care section. Fashions and attitudes to diabetes change so some of them may not be absolutely up to date but they will all help you to understand the ins & outs, and get you used to the jargon

If you have to go onto insulin, don't panic. Modern microfine needles and insulin pens make it easy & painless. Insulin can give you better control too

Lots of areas have easy walking or fitness schemes. Ask at your GP, sports centre, or community centre

Read through as many of the old posts & threads on this forum as you can manage. Same sort of questions, problems, and advice have been on before

Once you start to change, it has a progressive or rolling effect - the more you do, the more you want to do and are able to do. Getting out and about & meeting people will help your overeating & emotions too

Best of luck Zuludog

Excellent answer Zuludog...I can't add anything to that except good luck Eilis. I think you've now realised denial isn't an option and that's a brilliant start.