Hi, my name is Marg, live in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. have 1 son who is 30 years old. I am 62 (63 next month:noway: :ohwell: ) & married (40th anniversary was in Oct) & I retired ( worked for 41 years) from being a Registered Nursing Assistant/Emergency Tech. (18 years), Child Care Provider, in my home (19 years) & then provided nursing care to elderly & handicapped persons in their homes. My blood sugar levels have been taken every year as my dad had Diabetes Type 2 and in November 2011, my levels, for the first time, were out of the "normal" range, am now in the pre-diabetic range (in Canada, 7 is diabetic & I was at 6.8):frown: . I joined mfp Dec. 13th to lose weight & eat more healthy to see if that puts my levels back in the normal range. I also hope that this will lower my high cholesterol levels so that I can get off meds for that & my B/P.
I enjoy all the aspects of mfp, especially the support & encouragement of "pals" and I have found that others that are challenged by the same situations, really are very helpful. By joining this group I am very sure I will learn a lot and hope to contribute & support others as well. Have a happy & healthy 2012!:flowerforyou:

Hello everyone! My name is Stephanie and I am 39 years old. I was diagnosed with Type 2 a few years ago. I didn't take it seriously just took the meds and still ate whatever I wanted. Now that I am older and take a handful of meds plus insulin I'm totally ready to get off all of it!! I also have joined a local Team Lean challenge (It's like the Biggest Loser competition). I am super excited about it and the weigh in is tomorrow. I am super pumped about finding this group as I need to be held accountable for my Diabetes and weight loss. I wish everyone good luck in all their endeavours and hope to get to know you better thru this group. Have a great day!!

Thanks for your post. Add me as a friend.:flowerforyou:

Hi everyone. I was diagnosed in June with T2D. The doctor completely freaked me out... saying how young I am and all sorts of other things... to make a long story short I changed doctors because I ended up having an anxiety attack that lasted nearly a week after my last visit to her. My blood sugars had gome from 11's to 7-9's in 4 weeks... I'd lost 15lbs and started exercising every day... She was so nasty to me, saying that I had to lose more weight and that I was going to need insulin... and on and on...
Fast forward to now... I've been on MFP since the beginning of November and gained and lost the same 5 lbs a few times over. I've learned that over eating is a huge problem for me... one bit too many puts my sugars way out of whack. Anything white... potatoes, rice, sugar (obviously)..
It is my goal to get off the metformin and get my blood pressure down so I can get off all medications. It's funny -I don't think there's anything wrong with someone taking medication for an illness... I really believe that if you need it you should definately take it, but for myself? I feel geriatric... like I'm defective or somehow, I don't know... less.
I'm definately having trouble this past month, stress, family, food, you name it I can use it as an excuse... I need to get back on track and keep moving forward toward lowering and getting rid of medications...
Your support in this group is going to mean so much.
Here's to our health everyone!
Oh yah, I am a married mom of 3 (12, 12 & 15) and I work full time from home.

Hi My name is Kathleen and I am 61 years old will be 62 in May. I am severly obese and I have been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. I have started my new Journey with Diabetes classes and weight Control classes thru my health plan, I recently retired and I am home all the time and running out of things to do to keep myself from being bored. Classes with the nutrition has really been a lifeline for me. I havent been put on meds at this time Doctor said since I am losing weight and I followed thru signing up for classes and attending them I Might not have to take meds YEAH according to some of my new friends at classes going on the Meds isnt that much fun for some with the stomach problems and other things. So I guess I condsider myself lucky.I have followed up with eye doctor ,Dentist, i heard this is important with diabetes. If you have a Insurance Plan check and see if they have these dr and classes that are no cost to you depends on ur coverage. I got meters free and stockings all cost alot of $ so just checking it out saved me and my purse.LOL I still dont know what my sugar number should be? there were 180 and now down to 110 to 140 Do I have a number I should worry about? well I glad this is available to keep track of now My calorie intake is suppose to be 1600=1650 a day
Does anybody know how to change the calorie number it has be at over 2100 cals a day. Thank you for listening and thank you to my daughter for suggesting this website. Have a great Day ev1 Kathleen Happy New Year

Hi, my name is Cindy and I live in Colliers, WV. I was diagnosed with diabetes in April 2000. At first, I followed the diet very well and lost 30 lbs. But I had gotten back to old habits and haven't lost weight since then. I started going to an endomologist 3 months ago and he put me on Glucophage 1000mg. twice a day, glimipiride, twice a day, byetta twice a day. I found out that after I take a nap in the early evening after dinner, the glimipiride makes my blood sugar drop drastically. By that, I mean in the 50's. So I had to cut the glimipiride in half....and it still does that. Yet, my morning sugars are high. I am still trying to balance my blood sugar. So I told myself this new year, that i HAVE to do a better job of regulating my sugar and lose weight. I am also menopausal and he told me that I have metabolic syndrome. And that the best way for me to lose weight is to have gastric bypass. I told him I am not even considering that....yet he wants me to lose weight. So I am hoping that using MFP will give me the tools to do this. My daughter has also joined MFP....in fact, she is the one that told me about this. So...wish us good luck...we are going to need it. :flowerforyou:

Hi All;
My name is Amy. I'm 39, single mom of two boys 14 and 7. I currently live in Albuquerque, NM. I was diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes during my pregnancy with my younger son. I kept it after I gave birth to him. I have constantly struggled with my weight since 1995. I lost almost 30lbs. on Weight Watchers back in 2008. I gained it all back since then, and then some. I'm a caretaker part time working with a developmentally disabled adult. I have to eat out 4 days out of the week for lunch, and this seriously sabotages my weight loss efforts. I'm currently actively seeking a job as a therapist, and I feel that once I land a stable full time job, which I hope is real soon, it will be easier to concentrate on the weight loss even more. I'm trying to work through the weight loss the best under the circumstances.

WOW! Congrats on the payoff from your hard work.
And I love the picture of your dog on your profile.
Carolyn

Hi, I'm Vanessa, as you know I am a diabetic [2] my goal is to get off the meds

---

I do not like putting meds into me - not even for a cold, so I've made great strides now I just need to lose the lbs! The kicker with me is I also have in inactive thyroid - which hiners my metabolism...[double whammy] - but I keep the faith and just keep going....looking foward to connecting, venting and finding new ways to cope with everyday life....have a great day!

Hi Carolyn~
I also live in the Dallas/Ft Worth area and was diagnosed with Type 2 on March 25, 2011. Just an FYI....I am helping start a support group here in the area. Go to DiabetesSisters.org and go to PODS meeting and you will see ours is listed for Jan 26th.

Stephanie

I am 62, TYPE II and recently had hiatel hernia/reflux surgery which leaves me eating softer foods. My sugar was under control prior to the surgery but the recent A1C test went up a few points. I lost 50 pounds over the last 18 months. I need to lose almost that much still. I'm new to MFP. I joined in early January and have lost 4 pounds. Looking at everyone's postings about carbs tells me I have quite a way to go yet. I've been over the carb totals recommended by MFP which looks like it may be too high for us diabetics.

I'm looking forward to getting to know you all! God bless you on your journey. Cindy

Cindy, I also found that the carb limit set by the program was WAY too high. I try to keep under 120 grams per day. I started out trying for 150, once I got that down I dropped it to 120. When I get that under control I will try to drop to 100. I know some people who keep it under 50! I'm not anywhere near there yet. Sounds like you've done well and are committed to keeping it up. Hope to hear more from you on here.

Hi, I am 32 and recently was diagnosed with Type 2 just before Thanksgiving 2011. I am a nurse but teaching patients about diabetes and implementing all of the lifestyle changes is challenging, due to diabetes and mult. other health issues I have not been able to work in nursing very often and I miss it terribly. I am a Mom and wife and I want to be around for a long time...I am open to any suggestions,meal and supplement ideas or recipes, and medications that are working for others. I take Metformin 1000mg twice daily but my glucose levels are still fluctuating...so until I see my endocrinologist next month I am doing my best to eat well, follow a diabetic diet and want to start exercising...

Hi CKWS!!
When I was first diagnosed i did go into a panic. My house was in an uproar as I was in the middle of a remodel with NO kitchen. All I could think about was remembering when my mom was diagnosed and her having to get everything sugar free. I spent time on the internet reading as much as I could regarding diabetes and just started making small changes in my life. I did join Weight Watchers and dragged my DH with and it has been a tremendous help. Kind of a pain counting points and carbs but after awhile you just learn which you can/can not eat. I also am not a believer that all fresh fruits should be zero points like WW has. I also took a diabetes course at my local hospital and they helped set up my carb intake for each meal/snack.

What has helped a ton is my going to the gym. I am lucky now as I am officially retired and can go at times when it is not crowded.
First thing I did was hit the treadmill. Now do a mix of treadmill, bike, elliptical and strength training. I am not saying it is easy, but start out in small steps....like walking and you can build up from there.

Hello Everyone.

My name is Chalin, and I am a type 2 diabetic. Have been for the past 20 years. I am very over weight and need to lose about 100 pounds. My issue is that when I take my insulin, sometimes it drops waaay to fast and too far. Now that my sugars are not in the 450's (!!!!) I dont feel my drops until they are in the 40's-50's (!!!!!!). By then all I want is to stuff my face w/ anything and everything to raise them and fast.

I am a SAHM of 2 little girls. Caitlyn is 5 and Erika is 3, almost 4). They keep me on my toes and keep me totally insaine 24/7. I am almost always cleaning or doing something, and now adding a "workout" time in during the day is a bit tricky, but I am finding a time for it.

My biggest issues are when my sugars drop and I reach for anything and everything to get them back up. I dont think about my calories when it happens, just raising the sugars. Then the guilt hits afterwards.

I hope to hear how everyone else handles the lows w/o blowing their calories...

Hi

My name is Nikki, I am 39 married for 16 years and the proud mother to 3 girls 13, 11, 6. I was diagnosed when I was pregnant with my 2nd child and started shots. I think now I have been on a pump for at least 11 years. I did come off in between children but just found it easier to be on the pump and felt in more control of my numbers. I like most of you hope to loose weight and be pump free. I struggle now because I had my thryoid removed in August 2011 and my galbladder removed in Novemeber.

I am thrilled there was a group for type 2 and looking forward to supporting as I can as well as get your support and inputs on how to help with my weight loss.

Nikki