New Type 2 diabetic

fairygramjan
fairygramjan Posts: 7
in Introduce Yourself
Hi, I'm Jan (fairygramjan). I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in April of this year. I should not be surprised as I am in my 60's, female, and obese. But I have always been proud of my 'right-in-line' blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar, in spite of my weight, so I guess I got a little cocky. Not that I was happy with my weight. I tried every diet out there...always lost weight...always gained it back plus.Since the holidays my husband & I had been eating major leftovers from every holiday, including whole pies and cakes that nobody had touched and wouldn't take home even though I begged. We were having dessert twice a day. So it's no wonder that my A1c (a reading of 3 months of accumulative blood sugar ) was high. So now I was an official diabetic.

The doctor gave me some sketchy guidelines, but a dietician came to my home several times and that was a tremendous help. By the next time I saw the doctor (3 months later), I had lost 40 lbs, my A1c was back in the range, and most of my cholesterol numbers had improved significantly. The doc wanted to know how I did it. I told him I just followed the rules for diabetics. But I know that it will get harder as time goes on. As my daily check on my sugar began to be regularly in the 100-110 range. I thought I could relax a little. Of course, the number started creeping up again.and the weight loss hit a plateau.

My son is a runner who needs to take off some weight..Of course, he gets his cardio from running and he also lifts weights and does other exercises on rainy days. He found MFP to be an easy way to keep track of both eating(calories) and exercise. I was more interested in carbs, but when I found out it also counts carbs, I was sold. I was a little erratic at first, but I am using it regularly now. I note my blood sugar in the comments box, so on a high day I can review what I've eaten and nail down the culprit. At last weigh-in, I have lost 2 more lbs., but I am due for another, so I'm hoping for another lb. or 2.

That's my story of how I came to MFP. Hope it wasn't too long. Maybe I'll see some of you on the msg boards.

Replies

  • bdubya55
    bdubya55 Posts: 506 Member
    Hi Jan, nice to meet you. Thanks for sharing your story. It's wonderful you have your son in your corner for support, and I commend you for making the decision to start using MyFitnessPal as a tool to help keep track of your food choices ensuring tighter blood glucose management.

    As a T2 diabetic diagnosed in 1982, I can empathize with much of your story, getting complacent from time to time as we're only human and oftentimes can and will make decisions that are not always the healthiest for those of us sharing this condition.

    The good news is, by using this program, logging honestly everything we eat and matching those food choices to our meters we'll quickly learn as I have, what works best in improving our blood sugar controls and diabetes management practices in addition to weight management.

    The MyFitnessPal program has been an invaluable tool for me since joining, I've been able to reduce my diabetes meds and insulin needs in half by losing the weight I needed to in addition to tracking my carb intake affording me a significant improvement to my blood sugar control.

    There's a wonderful, caring and very supportive T2 group here at MFP if your're interested, have a look around the various boards, and ask questions when you feel comfortable or find the need. There are many knowledgeable and experienced people eager to share their experiences on what works and doesn't work for them when working towards the same goals for better blood sugar control.

    Again, thanks for the opportunity to read your story. Wishing you the same success I've enjoyed.
  • retiree2006
    retiree2006 Posts: 951 Member
    Good morning Jan, and welcome! It sounds like you're facing diabetes head-on and have already seen the changes that healthy eating and exercise can make for you. Yes, one of the best parts of the MFP site is the ability to track foods to see how they affect your blood glucose...especially carbs. It has helped me to pull down my numbers in the morning from the 140-150+ range into fairly consistent mid-90's to 110 or so. But the other "best part" is the community of caring and helpful people here, especially the T2 group bdubya55 mentioned where you can voice frustrations, get ideas of what worked for some (but we're all different), and know that others truly understand what you're facing. Go to "groups" and type in: Type 2 Diabetes Support Group, and join us if you'd like.

    In the meantime keep looking for your own food patterns, read up on diabetes, work toward that healthy weight, and know that exercise is good! You can do it.
  • Yvie1950
    Yvie1950 Posts: 8 Member
    Hi Jan, I am a 63 year old with similar story except I was diagnosed with prediabetes 5 weeks ago. I went to class and then met with dietician who helped me learn about food combinations and MFP. I have lost 7 lbs so far. I would love to share my food diary and see the diaries of others with diabetes to help me further understand the proper way to eat. I am so encouraged by your story and the stories of others responding to you. Good look to you. Take care.
  • prgirl39
    prgirl39 Posts: 108
    Hello everyone. I am Marta, 41 years old and diagnosed with T2 Diabetes in April. It has been hard but now I am over the shock part and getting on with my life.. I need to lose 50 to 60 pounds. I am getting there. I was not prescribed any meds, since my doctor told me that I needed to eat more healthy and do exercise and that is what I have been doing. It has been very hard to make the changes I need since I am addicted to processed food.

    Please add me to your friends' list. It would be nice to get support from friends who are going through the same thing. I really need all the help I can get.

    Dietician? I have never thought about that. I have been getting my tips from the internet. Might have to check it out.

    Thanks.
  • crystalazure
    crystalazure Posts: 1
    Hi, I'm Leslie, a 63 year old who was also just diagnosed Type II about 8 weeks ago. I understand the shock part, I was in denial for a bit, but then snapped out of it. (Cher, where were you?)
    I am so glad I found MFP, it really is helping me stay on track with meal times...still having trouble with breakfast and lunch times. Starting to see a trend downward in a.m. fasting. Exercise is hard due to back problems, but I'm being pro-active with that, too. Nice to see others in my same situation here!

    Thanks!

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