I will have to leave the group!! HbA1c still in 5s

BigG59

Just had the results back from my quarterly blood test. My HbA1c is at 5.1% for the second successive quarter. As its 12 months at a good level my doctor is taking me off the diabetic register!! All through diet and exercise.

Does it mean I am cured? I don't see it that way, I see it as controlled. Though it surprised me for him to talk about my diabetes being "cured".

Not posting to boast but to hopefully motivate those who have just been diagnosed and those that are thinking its all too hard and good control cannot be achieved.

Being diagnosed 12months ago was a wake up call to a healthier me.

wcucats77

Congratulations... I hope no one sees your posting as boasting, but for many of us this same level can be achieved. I am working at accomplishing the same status. Back in August I had A1C reading of 6.5 and waited till June to retest. My number was 5.4. My next test is in September and based on daily testing my number should be about the same.

However, I would not leave the group as what you have accomplished and more importantly how you did this will be of continued interest to all. Your comment of being controlled is dead on, so without a doubt MFP was a big reason I was able to begin this process and hopefully get the numbers you have accomplished. Again, congratulations.

Question, explain what you mean when you write " taken off diabetic register". Is this for insurance purposes?

Thanks

WCUCATS77

bdubya55

BigG59,

Thanks for sharing your success with us. It's a testament to your hard work. You've achieved a commendable accomplishment to be sure and I wish you long term continued success.

I hope you'll stay in touch with us from time to time, as I've come away from the contributions you've made to this group, a little wiser and more knowledgeable about this condition we share from your experiences.

Best of luck and good health to you Sir, you'll be missed.

Bob

eta; typo

BigGuy47

That's awesome! You're an excellent example of what you can do if you set your sights on a goal. Well done.
Note - You're not allowed to leave the group, you have a lot of insight to offer those still struggling to find their way.

I'm curious on the amount of exercise you do each week. Mostly cycling?

retiree2006

Way to go! We all are striving to accomplish the same thing you've been able to do over the course of your 12 months. I wish you the best and that you continue to maintain at that level!

I agree with BigGuy47...what did you find worked for you? We see you're into cycling but also what dietary methods helped you reach 5.1?

Your doctor has to be extremely pleased with the great change they've seen in you. Not all patients are so "stellar"!

robert65ferguson

That's a great result BigG, very well done. You deserve this outcome with all your hard work. I would certainly echo the sentiments expressed that you're not allowed to leave this group. We have all benifited from your insightful inputs. I'm sure that your'e wise enough to continue testing and have the occasional A1c to confirm your status. If you do decide not to post daily I hope that you will check in at regular intervals to keep us abreast of your progress. As you well know, a chain is only as good as the links which form it.

Aussielooser

Such terrific news... Congrats....

BigG59

Thanks for the posts everyone. I won't be leaving the group, the title was very tongue in cheek.

The theme of the questions seems to be how did I do it?

Two things. Eating less and moving more!!

I saw positive results via the dieting. I joined a gym and started to get fit. This enabled me to take up cycling last November. Since then I have become addicted to the cycling. I checked my Strava earlier. I have cycled over 4000km since last November, even I was surprised.

I think the cycling helped. But the biggest effect I am sure has been losing the belly weight (over 10 inches off my waist), cutting out bread, chocolate, beer and generally eating a lot healthier. I think I was somewhat lucky too. I was diagnosed as part of a general health check rather than being ill. From day one I took it seriously and being a very competitive character enjoyed seeing the weight come down which spurred me on even more.

This week we are away on holiday, it's all inclusive. The old me would have spent the day drinking the "free" beer and having "seconds" at dinner the new me has been enjoying the food and alcohol, but, in moderation.

So it can be done, just needs some motivation, I look on being diagnosed as a very positive thing and glad I was.

robert65ferguson

Great to hear that you will still be with us BigG. To lose 10" from your waist is a fantastic achievement, very well done indeed. For those of us who are techno neanderthals could you explain what a Strava is. I'm assuming it's some sort of activity monitor or app.

jessiekanga

Congrats to you. It's a fantastic, fantastic place to be. I'm so very happy for you. I had similar results today. A1C of 4.8 after a 5.1. I credit mine to becoming a runner, eating less and thus losing, and being mindful of reducing and spreading my carbs. It doesn't feel like freedom, as I know my diligence needs to be ever-present, but it does feel like achieving that which I thought was impossible. I hope you feel proud, joyous, and serene. Sink in.

BigG59

Robert, Strava is an app that tracks your cycling and running. It's a great training aid. I link it to the Garmin GPS on my bike so I can record my speed, cadence and hear rate at various points but you can just use it on a smartphone to track route and speed.

Excellent results too Jessie. I agree on the need to remain diligent. I have read about people who think they are cured, go back to the old ways of eating only for the T2 to be back but this time they are unable to control it with diet and exercise alone. Not that there is anything wrong in taking meds as the complications from all the side effects of T2 means we should all do whatever we can to get the BG under control.

For me it was the fear of the complications that helped motivate me to control my blood sugars.

BigG59

I'm curious on the amount of exercise you do each week. Mostly cycling?

Sorry missed your question. I started out trying to do at least 30 minutes of cardio exercise a day. I read that the effect of exercise can have a positive effect on the BG levels for several hours after finishing.

I now do at least an hour of cardio, six days a week when not travelling with my job and at least 30 minutes if I am away. At present this is almost exclusively cycling. I started off just walking, then as I got fitter jogging, but the years of carrying the weight has taken its toll on my knees so I limit the running.

This winter I plan to add some light weight training to my routine.