A bit of a brag since I worked so hard

[prolesunited]

In April, I tested with a fasting blood glucose level of 105, which put me on the path to becoming a diabetic like my mother.

After watching the horrors she suffered the last decade of her life (cataract surgeries, amputations and dialysis and then a heart attack at 67), I vowed I wouldn't let that happen to me.

But, there were the numbers in April and looking back each year my FBS had inched up. Anything over 100 is considered pre-diabetic and a large percentage of people in this category develop diabetes within five years.

I had some unrelated health problems and major surgery in the middle of last year and my weight shot up quite a bit. Once I was cleared for exercise, I started working on it. By April, I already had lost about 20 pounds through cycling, walking, weight training and yoga.

It was frustrating then when my blood sugar was so high. I was exercising, am a vegetarian and was primarily eating only whole-grain carbs. I wanted to give up, but instead worked even harder and made even more changes in my diet.

When I went in for my flu shot, I had them retest. Not only have I lost 12 more pounds. My fasting blood sugar was 75!!!

I was so happy and relieved that I almost cried. I know this means I won't be able to let up because this works (my new "lifestyle"), but at least I know it's working.

I know a lot of other people have or are facing similar issues so I thought I would share.

[GOPisEvil]

1. That's very good news!

Good for you.

[greatauntoftriplets]

2. Good for you!!!

That shows one hell of a lot of determination and obviously, it is paying off.

[prolesunited]

11. As a nice fringe benefit

I went from a size 12 to and 8. Naturally, I had to go buy some new clothes.

[greatauntoftriplets]

13. That's always fun....

[YellowRubberDuckie]

3. Your info inspires me.

I've got to get this weight off before I become diabetic. I'm all over this. Damn it's so hard, though. Congrats!
Duckie

[prolesunited]

6. Are you in a high-risk category?

Have you had your fasting blood sugar tested?

My advice would be to do something good for yourself each day and keep building on it. Just walking at least 30 minutes EVERY day is a great start.

And, just like anything, it gets easier as you go along. I start climbing the walls if my schedule gets too hectic for exercise for a couple of days. And, if I eat the wrong stuff or too much, I just end up feeling like crap.

[YellowRubberDuckie]

12. I'm borderline.

I did really great for about five months. Then it got hot and it all went to shit.
Duckie

[prolesunited]

14. You're way too young to let that happen

Are you unclear about what you need to do or just not sticking with it?

I'm far from perfect and still have days when I indulge, like a nice dessert at a restaurant. I just try to be good 95 percent of the time. And, if you screw up, the next day, the next meal is a chance to do better.

I'm also taking chromium and cinnamon supplements, which are supposed to help regulate blood sugar.

Here's a good guilt trip for you. I was always angry at my mom for not taking better care of herself. Rational or not, I always thought if she loved us more, she would do the things she needed to do to live, to be there for us.

If you can't do it for yourself, do it for your husband and your family.

[YellowRubberDuckie]

15. It's sticking with it...

I'd heard about cinnamon, but I hadn't about chromium. Sounds like something to try. I've started to feel terrible lately. I'm going to start. Tomorrow.
Duckie

[LynzM]

4. Awesome, dude!

As a Type 1 diabetic myself, I know how hard it is to work and work and work at it. You have my utmost respect for working so hard to keep yourself from becoming diabetic. Excellent job, keep up the good work!

[prolesunited]

9. At least I have more of a choice

in this situation. You would think with all the breakthroughs that they've made, they would finally be able to cure this disease. Were you diagnosed as a child?

Thanks for your encouragement.

[LynzM]

16. To some extent, that is true...

Stem cell research shows some promise, and Bush's veto of that is infuriating. They've done some stell cell research in mice, who showed complete cure. I was diagnosed in 1990, at the age of 9. You'd be amazed at how much the technology for treatment and management has improved since then. Still, you see how much money there is to be made in diabetes "management," and you wonder if some research is being, at the least, slowed down. Who knows.

[prolesunited]

17. Sometimes I think the same thing

When and what is the last disease we cured? You're right in that there is lots of money to be made off managing diseases rather than curing them.

And we've seen corporations definitely put profits over people's lives.

[Haole Girl]

5. You should be very, very proud!

Do you know how many people simply take the easy (or, maybe I should say immediately easier) way out, and ignore their health? Then, pay dearly down the road.

Good for you!! You do, indeed, rock!!!

[prolesunited]

10. I've seen it firsthand

It is definitely NOT the easy way out. The thing that's so insidious is how much damage the disease does internally before things begin to manifest. Too bad we can't see our insides to shock us into getting with the program.

[radwriter0555]

19. What did you do with your diet? Whatcha eating and so on?

And what's your exercise routine like?

INQUIRING MINDS WANT TO KNOW!

And way, way huge congrats for taking control of your life!

[prolesunited]

21. Thanks

Basically, I started eating some form of protein at every meal, started eating more veggies than fruit and found low-carb tortilla wraps (La Tortilla Factory) and Healthy Life low-carb, high fiber bread. I make most meals from scratch and eat very little processed food. Even the veggie frozen meals are way too high in sodium for me as I have high blood pressure. We go out to eat about twice a month and those are my splurges. I eat what I want and even order dessert if I have room.

For exercise, I walk or ride at least 30 minutes every day (usually about an hour three times a week) and do some other type of activity like yoga, pilates or weights. I have a nice fitness area set up in my basement and a ton of DVDs to follow.

I don't think there's any secret, just discipline and work. Now that it's become a habit, I feel out of sorts if I skip exercise or eat crappy -- I still do it once in awhile, but it is less and less frequently. I think the worst were the plateaus, but I just stuck with it, slow and steady progress.

[wildhorses]

7. that is wonderful!! I am so proud of you!!!

keep up the good work...I see so many non-compliant diabetics in the ER and it is such a pity


diabetes and cancer: I hate them BOTH!!!

[MissMillie]

8. you rock!

terrific!

[speedoo]

18. Congratulations!

And thanks for sharing. Your story is great to hear.

[SeattleGirl]

20. Congratulations to you!

You deserve a bunch of

[miss_american_pie]

22. That is wonderful

[jonnyblitz]

23. this is good news!! I was unaware of your health issues

I hope this keeps up for you and I will be thinking of you.