Well a couple of months in and its hard going

[Taffyboyslim]

I have cut out the take aways and trips to the fish and chip shop.....and I have stopped bread , rice and potatoes . I am taking my metformin morning and evening . But yet to start exercising .....expecially in this awful heat .....nor really got into detailed analysis of the rest of my diet .

Does everyone start like this ?

 

[Leadinglights]

I have cut out the take aways and trips to the fish and chip shop.....and I have stopped bread , rice and potatoes . I am taking my metformin morning and evening . But yet to start exercising .....expecially in this awful heat .....nor really got into detailed analysis of the rest of my diet .

Does everyone start like this ?

That sounds like a good start so it will hopefully be paying off. You are only 'at risk' so those changes may be sufficient. However you may find this link helpful for giving you a bit more scope for changes and a better understanding about long term management of your condition to nip it in the bud at this early stage. https://lowcarbfreshwell.co.uk/

 

[Taffyboyslim]

That sounds like a good start so it will hopefully be paying off. You are only 'at risk' so those changes may be sufficient. However you may find this link helpful for giving you a bit more scope for changes and a better understanding about long term management of your condition to nip it in the bud at this early stage. https://lowcarbfreshwell.co.uk/

I am definitely living with diabetes according to my nurse , sugar levels of 79

 

[Leadinglights]

I am definitely living with diabetes according to my nurse , sugar levels of 79

You might want to change your signature then as it is saying at risk.
Even more worth taking a look at the link I posted.

 

[Cherrelle DUK]

Hi Taffyboyslim, welcome to the forum.

Glad to see that you've been able to tackle things head on. A lot of people do start by reducing the things they believe contribute to their diabetic numbers so you're on the right track.

It's best to start slow and steady to ensure the changes are sustainable so don't worry about not exercising just yet. I'd focus on maintaining the new way of eating and monitoring how it impacts your numbers. Tweak and adjust then introduce new things to help improve your progress.

If there's anything we can help with, do just give us a shout and we'll be happy to help.

 

[harbottle]

I have cut out the take aways and trips to the fish and chip shop.....and I have stopped bread , rice and potatoes . I am taking my metformin morning and evening . But yet to start exercising .....expecially in this awful heat .....nor really got into detailed analysis of the rest of my diet .

Does everyone start like this ?

I did the diet change (same as you) and started exercising daily. I don't find the heat a problem. In fact, I love it. Since losing weight I don't seem to feel it much. It's winter I hate, as I feel the cold a lot more now. I've just done a 4KM walk/run this lunch time in the sun and it was wonderful.

My hba1c was 83, close to yours.

 

[Windy]

Does everyone start like this ?

You sound like you're doing the right things with your diet, cutting back on the carbs and takeaways.
I've always hated sport and exercise, so I hear you about that. My HbA1c wasn't far off yours, and I found it difficult to exercise due to the weight I was carrying. The thing is to lose a bit of weight first (if you need to lose weight) and see how that goes.
Can you try and integrate a bit of extra walking into your day, so don't take the car to the shops, or get off the bus a few stops earlier, or go for a walk round the block at lunchtime, or find a gentle yoga video on youtube and try and follow that, or do a bit of gardening or a bit of vigorous house cleaning. It doesn't have to be lycra clad marathon running or swimming the channel, if you can add in a little bit of extra walking, or whatever you can manage, that's a start, especially in this hot weather.
Best wishes, Sarah

 

[Taffyboyslim]

I did the diet change (same as you) and started exercising daily. I don't find the heat a problem. In fact, I love it. Since losing weight I don't seem to feel it much. It's winter I hate, as I feel the cold a lot more now. I've just done a 4KM walk/run this lunch time in the sun and it was wonderful.

My hba1c was 83, close to yours.

I couldn't exercise in this heat . Or go out . I am on lithium and it makes me sweat heavily in hot weather .

 

[Taffyboyslim]

You sound like you're doing the right things with your diet, cutting back on the carbs and takeaways.
I've always hated sport and exercise, so I hear you about that. My HbA1c wasn't far off yours, and I found it difficult to exercise due to the weight I was carrying. The thing is to lose a bit of weight first (if you need to lose weight) and see how that goes.
Can you try and integrate a bit of extra walking into your day, so don't take the car to the shops, or get off the bus a few stops earlier, or go for a walk round the block at lunchtime, or find a gentle yoga video on youtube and try and follow that, or do a bit of gardening or a bit of vigorous house cleaning. It doesn't have to be lycra clad marathon running or swimming the channel, if you can add in a little bit of extra walking, or whatever you can manage, that's a start, especially in this hot weather.
Best wishes, Sarah

Thank you Sarah . I enjoy walking and intend to get plenty done once this heat drops from 30 degrees !

 

[Taffyboyslim]

I have cut out the take aways and trips to the fish and chip shop.....and I have stopped bread , rice and potatoes . I am taking my metformin morning and evening . But yet to start exercising .....expecially in this awful heat .....nor really got into detailed analysis of the rest of my diet .

Does everyone start like this ?

Metaformin .......on 2 a day , morning after breakfast and evening meal

What's the maximum dose and when do they decide to push it up ?

 

[Windy]

I was on 2 x 500mg at the start, but I think you can have 4 x 500mg. They increase the dose slowly (think I had one tablet at day for a week, then increased to two) as it can give you an upset stomach/the runs, so they ease you into it slowly. If you do have a bad tummy from it, let your GP know and they can give you slow release metformin instead, or look at different medication if you don't get on with that either.
Sarah

 

[Leadinglights]

Metaformin .......on 2 a day , morning after breakfast and evening meal

What's the maximum dose and when do they decide to push it up ?

Dietary changes should be your priority as metformin can only do so much even at maximum dose which I believe is 4 x 500mg per day but in any case the dose is built up slowly to help with any stomach issues.
If your blood glucose has not reduced by your next HbA1C then that could be when the dose could be increased but I would urge you to look at dietary changes as a priority.

 

[harbottle]

I couldn't exercise in this heat . Or go out . I am on lithium and it makes me sweat heavily in hot weather .

I also do some weights in the morning, as I wake up early and have a few hours of peace before everyone else gets up (Nice to catch up on films and my writing). I'm trying to get some muscles in places that were once flab!

 

[harbottle]

Metaformin .......on 2 a day , morning after breakfast and evening meal

What's the maximum dose and when do they decide to push it up ?

Max is 2500mg, although from what I read after 2000mg the lowering effect doesn't go up much, so it may not be worth going that far. It gets pushed up if it's not lowering BG enough (Combined with diet and exercise). If it doesn't work, they might add another drug ("Combined therapy").

As one of my friends said, 'your lifestyle changes are making far more difference than the metformin.' (The same guy said he wished his diabetic patients would lose weight and stop eating junk.)

 

[Taffyboyslim]

I was on 2 x 500mg at the start, but I think you can have 4 x 500mg. They increase the dose slowly (think I had one tablet at day for a week, then increased to two) as it can give you an upset stomach/the runs, so they ease you into it slowly. If you do have a bad tummy from it, let your GP know and they can give you slow release metformin instead, or look at different medication if you don't get on with that either.
Sarah

Hi Sarah

I am on the slow release as the ordinary ones made me explode !

 

[Taffyboyslim]

Dietary changes should be your priority as metformin can only do so much even at maximum dose which I believe is 4 x 500mg per day but in any case the dose is built up slowly to help with any stomach issues.
If your blood glucose has not reduced by your next HbA1C then that could be when the dose could be increased but I would urge you to look at dietary changes as a priority.

I am going to x

This is my first blood test after going on metformin

 

[Taffyboyslim]

I also do some weights in the morning, as I wake up early and have a few hours of peace before everyone else gets up (Nice to catch up on films and my writing). I'm trying to get some muscles in places that were once flab!

I am 54 , too old to lift heavy weights lol

 

[Taffyboyslim]

Max is 2500mg, although from what I read after 2000mg the lowering effect doesn't go up much, so it may not be worth going that far. It gets pushed up if it's not lowering BG enough (Combined with diet and exercise). If it doesn't work, they might add another drug ("Combined therapy").

As one of my friends said, 'your lifestyle changes are making far more difference than the metformin.' (The same guy said he wished his diabetic patients would lose weight and stop eating junk.)

I think that's very wise

 

[harbottle]

I am 54 , too old to lift heavy weights lol

I'm 52, and when I say 'weights' I just have a small one that I use for a bit in the morning.
I think for T2s having good muscle mass can help with the insulin resistance.

 

[zuludog]

Hello @Taffyboyslim and welcome to the Forum

It looks like you've started well enough with the diet
Have you got your own blood glucose test meter?
With a meter you can see how the food you eat and the medication you take affects things.
If you do that, and as you learn more about food and gradually learn more and read older Threads you'll be able to improve your control

Exercise brings up images of an hour long gym session or a 10k run, but there are easier, simpler things you could do

I do Tai Chi, which is a martial art, but not as aggressive as things like karate or judo, it's more like stretching, and helps with balance & co-ordination.
There's also a spiritual element to it, which you can ignore or take further, as you wish
See if there are any classes near you, or you can learn it from YouTube videos, which have the advantage in this weather that if its too hot, you can do TC half (or completely!) naked in the privacy of your own home
Search YT for 'beginners tai chi'.

I used to do a lot of hiking, but my legs are no longer up to serious hillwalking, so I just go on shorter, easier, local walks, around the local park or the streets
I live in a run down old industrial town, but you can find interesting parts, old buildings to look at, the back lanes that all towns have, and so on
Start with a walk to your local shops, if its not too far, and build it up from there - owt's better than nowt
It's summer now, you don't need proper hiking gear, just comfy trainers and casual clothes.