Type 2 Diabetics - what was your epiphany?

APeacefulWarrior

If you have type 2 diabetes, was there a particular moment in your life or an event that was your epiphany? (The moment the light bulb came on and you realized you needed to make changes in your diet to improve your health)

I'm asking on behalf of all the spouses of unmotivated diabetics so that we can understand what motivates you, encourages you, and may just keep you alive.

hevarrrrr

i had gestational diabetes, meaning i was diabetic during pregnancy. i was warned by the specialist midwife and consultant that it meant i was more at risk of type 2.

it took me a year to start this journey after having my baby but tge warning was enough, i don't want type 2. i want to be able to run after my toddler and i don't want to embarass him on sports day.

i have been the most succesful (now weighing less than 2006!) but it is that diagnosis that spurs me on!

Bonita828

For me it was being prescribed Metformin. I knew that if I didn't do something about my weight I would eventually be put on insulin. I was on it when i had gestational diabetes (for two of my four pregnancies) and diabetes required so much of my time and attention. At fifty, I don't want to live the rest of my life concerned about blood sugar levels, insulin shots, hunger (as insulin is a hunger hormone) etc. I want to be concerned about my family and some day enjoying retirement.

The Metformin helped curb the hunger and I felt like losing weight was "do-able" so it gave me hope. Before that I was hungry all the time.

Also, it was very helpful to have support in learning and practicing good eating habits, as well as having someone who believed in me; that I could keep Type 2 Diabetes from running my life. There are many weight loss plans out there and books on proper nutrition to help. It was important for me to keep trying until I found the right one for me. It may sound odd, but I've learned to take care of my liver too, eating foods that are good for my liver, as the liver is an important organ in our bodies.

It seems you are very supportive. Please don't give up, but also know it is their decision. Part of the problem is the high blood sugars made me feel tired or depressed; lifeless really, like everything took so much effort.

I find it helpful to make the challenge fun, celebrate small victories in eating, exercise, weight loss, energy level, and lower blood sugar levels. Then "up-ing the game" to more accomplishments. Even the very smallest victories are something I can feel good about. For me, at first it was eating a salad instead of a burger, going for a walk instead of watching television, or seeing a lower blood sugar level.

I hope this helps. This is what is helping me.

APeacefulWarrior

Bonita828 wrote: »

For me it was being prescribed Metformin. I knew that if I didn't do something about my weight I would eventually be put on insulin. I was on it when i had gestational diabetes (for two of my four pregnancies) and diabetes required so much of my time and attention. At fifty, I don't want to live the rest of my life concerned about blood sugar levels, insulin shots, hunger (as insulin is a hunger hormone) etc. I want to be concerned about my family and some day enjoying retirement.

The Metformin helped curb the hunger and I felt like losing weight was "do-able" so it gave me hope. Before that I was hungry all the time.

Also, it was very helpful to have support in learning and practicing good eating habits, as well as having someone who believed in me; that I could keep Type 2 Diabetes from running my life. There are many weight loss plans out there and books on proper nutrition to help. It was important for me to keep trying until I found the right one for me. It may sound odd, but I've learned to take care of my liver too, eating foods that are good for my liver, as the liver is an important organ in our bodies.

It seems you are very supportive. Please don't give up, but also know it is their decision. Part of the problem is the high blood sugars made me feel tired or depressed; lifeless really, like everything took so much effort.

I find it helpful to make the challenge fun, celebrate small victories in eating, exercise, weight loss, energy level, and lower blood sugar levels. Then "up-ing the game" to more accomplishments. Even the very smallest victories are something I can feel good about. For me, at first it was eating a salad instead of a burger, going for a walk instead of watching television, or seeing a lower blood sugar level.

I hope this helps. This is what is helping me.

Great insights - thank you for sharing Best of luck to you on your journey to health!

APeacefulWarrior

hevarrrrr wrote: »

i had gestational diabetes, meaning i was diabetic during pregnancy. i was warned by the specialist midwife and consultant that it meant i was more at risk of type 2.

it took me a year to start this journey after having my baby but tge warning was enough, i don't want type 2. i want to be able to run after my toddler and i don't want to embarass him on sports day.

i have been the most succesful (now weighing less than 2006!) but it is that diagnosis that spurs me on!

I have a niece who had gestational diabetes (and she has always been a tiny little thing) so I appreciate that concern. I had babies over 9 lbs which also makes me more at risk for developing DM, so I'm not that far removed from your concerns. Thanks for sharing!

srichter8770

My epiphany was when I tried to go back to running (tripped - fell & broke my nose - I blame my big black dog who was leading the way) and my wife's GP sat me down to do bloods while I was off work. She was horrified when I returned fasting bloods at 13%!! I then watched 'that sugar film' - it has change my life - 8kg gone in 6 weeks, bloods between 5 & 8, not hungry and lots more energy. I strongly recommend 'that sugar film' to any type 2 sufferer, it makes it clear just how much sugar we are inadvertently consuming.