Pre-diabetic mother. Help!

freethetrees

My mother used to have a really nice body--she was really fit and athletic up until she had me, and she never really found it in her to lose the baby weight off her since. From there on, she's been gaining weight, but thankfully, she's not obese. A few weeks ago, she was diagnosed with pre-diabetes and if she doesn't do something in this stage, she will only get worse. She's 50 years young, but part of the problem is that she can't do intense exercises and training. She started going jogging for a bit but since she's always so busy with work, she almost never goes to the weekly yoga classes she used to go to anymore. She sees me on my journey and is inspired, but not motivated.
Food is also a huge problem since we come from a traditional Chinese household and she eats a lot of rice (even though she knows it's bad) and fatty foods!

What are some baby steps to help someone who's always so busy and exhausted after work, get started on losing weight and having a healthier lifestyle? I know it's going to be really hard for her to change the food habits!

TiffanyR71

Unfortunately, she has to want to change... Sorry, I know that's not helpful, but it's true... Don't give up on her; maybe something you do or say will motivate her.

segacs

She's the one who's going to have to do this. I know you're her daughter and you're worried about her, but you can't do it for her. She should talk to her doctor about her options for diet and exercise, and start right away since pre-diabetes *can* be reversed and doesn't necessarily have to lead to diabetes.

Ramla_J

I totally agree with Tiffany. Being a Type 2 diabetic that is now insulin dependant, I have walked in these shoes. Your mother has to make the decision to change. If the diagnosis of pre-diabetes didn't motivate your mother in changing her eating habits and exercise habits, then not much will. The pre-diabetes diagnosis is the best time to change habits because with just a little adjustment to eating and exercise can make the biggest difference. Good Luck.

purplemystra

I just joined a Diabetes Prevention Program through my local YMCA. But they have similar programs around. you can also look online. http://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/prevention/pdf/handout_session2.pdf or http://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/prevention/ So far my class has met 3 times. We are learning to count fat grams. Things low in fat grams tend to be low cal. Plus they recommend 150 min of activity every week. Then increase intensity and stamina. I lost 2 pounds in the last week. Good luck to your mom.

elphie754

There is absolutely nothing wrong with rice for the general population. Not sure if you meant if it was bad in general or bad for those with diabetes.

Honestly, unless she asked for your help, stay out of it. It is really none of your business.

Sued0nim

freethetrees wrote: »

My mother used to have a really nice body--she was really fit and athletic up until she had me, and she never really found it in her to lose the baby weight off her since. From there on, she's been gaining weight, but thankfully, she's not obese. A few weeks ago, she was diagnosed with pre-diabetes and if she doesn't do something in this stage, she will only get worse. She's 50 years young, but part of the problem is that she can't do intense exercises and training. She started going jogging for a bit but since she's always so busy with work, she almost never goes to the weekly yoga classes she used to go to anymore. She sees me on my journey and is inspired, but not motivated.
Food is also a huge problem since we come from a traditional Chinese household and she eats a lot of rice (even though she knows it's bad) and fatty foods!

What are some baby steps to help someone who's always so busy and exhausted after work, get started on losing weight and having a healthier lifestyle? I know it's going to be really hard for her to change the food habits!

I hope she doesn't "blame you" for her no longing being fit and athletic - that's all down to her

As is changing her diet and activity to lose weight and get away from her pre-diabetes diagnosis

Why can't she do intense exercises and training, or at least work up to it?

She needs to commit

Rice isn't bad per se ...she just needs to balance her diet

You can't do it for her. She's fat, she has a diagnosis if that's not enough for her to change you're just going to have to steps back I'm afraid

PS 50 years young is a terrible phrase, try to avoid it

jgnatca

Mid-life can be a great time to rediscover self and self care. You are all grown up now and she deserves to take some time to get healthier and stronger.

I found this program very helpful. http://patienteducation.stanford.edu/programs/cdsmp.html

nvmomketo

I'm prediabetic too. I found Dr Bernstein's Diabetes Solution book to be very healpful in showing me how to change my diet. http://www.diabetes-book.com/bernstein-life-with-diabetes/It completely worked and I have normal blood sugars if I follow it.

Perhaps try videos like The Perfect Human Diet or Fathead. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fqn-Xe_2iCw
Videos are sometimes a good way to get the information into people.

When you cook dinners, try to make them lower carb (meat and veggies only) to show her that lowering your carb intake can be easy and tasty.

Best wishes.

umayster

elphie754 wrote: »

There is absolutely nothing wrong with rice for the general population. Not sure if you meant if it was bad in general or bad for those with diabetes.

Honestly, unless she asked for your help, stay out of it. It is really none of your business.

Seriously? Preach the all-food-must-be-respected to those who are not dealing with metabolic issues.

Sorry, but mom's are required to be a daughter's 'business'.

ladipoet

Google "Miracle Rice." Google Ketogenic Diet.

LisaTcan

My mother is an obese, insulin dependent Type 2 diabetic... She has recently started going to the gym and lost 15lbs but still doesn't eat very well. You can't really make anyone change unfortunately, all you can do is set a good example.

middlehaitch

I truly feel for you,
I know what it is like watching someone who, with a few small lifestyle changes, could improve their long term health, decide not to do anything.

I am thinking, from your post, that you and your mum are having an open conversation. If that is the case, buy her a food scale and get her just logging her food here. Once she is in the habit of doing that, have her ( you could do it with her maybe) start looking at what she can change. I think it can make a great difference if you can actually see where the problems are.
Less rice more veg.
Heavens forbid, but a non stick wok so she can cut fats dramatically.
An air deep fry, if she consumes a lot of deep fried food.

My son's MIL is of Chinese decent and is having a hard time trying to alter her diet to improve her medical conditions. One never thinks that a Chinese diet can be so full of fat etc. My DIL and her siblings work together keeping her active and making her 'diet appropriate' Chinese food when she is staying with them, and encouraging her to use those recipes at home.

My MIL - I had to go get her every morning and take her to aqua fit or for a walk every morning for 2 months ( and I hate mornings), just to get her into the habit of exercise post TIA. She managed to stick with it for 6month before she returned to her old ways. Now ( 18m later) she is heavier than ever and having serious mobility problems. It is breaking my heart just watching her and keeping my mouth shut.

I really am wondering if the ' none of my business' approach is the correct one especially with 'older' people. The 2 I am referring to are both in their 70's.

Your mum is still young, if she can find an exercise programme that she could follow at home even if it is just 15 min in the morning then 15 in the evening, that would help her. Look at nerdfitness.com. It is a set of body weight exercises that she could build on being able to complete. I started it as weak as a kitten doing push-ups against the wall etc and only completing I set at a time.

Sorry to natter on so disjointed like that, but I hope some of what I said may help you and your mum.

Cheers, h.

HippySkoppy

Sorry to hear about your Mum's diagnosis....Yes it is up to her to take charge of her own destiny with her health and you can't drag her kicking and screaming along with you....but your own changes can be inspirational for her. You can show her MFP and see if she is willing to even just read the forums or of particular benefit to her would be to join one of the diabetes support groups.....just a thought.

The other thing to try is to encourage her to get as much support and information through her Doctor and any Diabetic education services....get the services of a specialist Dietician on board to help guide her. Have you thought about taking a class in cooking for diabetics together....It would be a way for you both to learn how to cook for her needs, and probably a lot of fun as well.

I don't have diabetes but I do have close relatives that struggle....for some they have buried their heads in the sand and made no changes whatsoever and rely on ever increasing does of insulin to help mask their worsening blood levels and their health has declined so rapidly it has been breathtakingly sad and worrying.... while others have taken the bull by the horns - read all they can and educated themselves thoroughly.

I imagine your Mum may be a bit overwhelmed too.....there is so much info. out there and may be conflicting, so she may just not know where to start. You can help her with this.

All the best and I really hope she does well.