My Big Plan to lose some weight with Type 2 Diabetes

LillythePink

Hi

Just stumbled across this thread and have to say - I'm with you there.

My dr diagnosed me with diabetes a few months ago and referred me to our diabetic clinic at our hospital, I haven't been yet as it's in the middle fo the working day and not easy for me to take 2 hours from work to go each week - but I am going for a 1 to 1 consultation with the nurse on Monday.

I know that I have to lose weight and I was doing quite well, but fell of the wagon after easter.

I have swapped food - I now 98% of the time only eat granary bread, have olive oil based butter/spread and a few other things.

Like you I don't have breakfast, but eat my sandwich about 9.30am and then just snack on either rice cakes or a cereal bar and take in a fresh fruit salad for the day.

I haven't really lost any weight, I don't exercise and know I should but just haven't got the motivation for it at the moment

I also have high BP which I am on meds for.

I will subscribe to your thread so please keep it updated

Good luck to you and would agree that your sores are because of the diabetes not necessarily the weight/size as I am the same size as you and I don't have them, although I do have patches of psoriasis which is linked

xxx

JoJoB

A lot depends on your personality as to which sort of eating plan will suit you. I like weightwatchers as the tracking every bit of food I have during the day has really helped me see where all the empty extra calories come from and where I can make healthy substitutes.

I went for a few meetings but now use WW forums and mumsnet as my support system - weightloss forums are really really helpful, and I've found mumsnet and minimins to be the best for healthy recipe ideas.

Basically a general rule of thumb is to make sure you eat more than 1200 cals a day or your body goes into starvation mode and hangs on to every calorie - so your skipping breakfast may be a big factor. Though your diet is also very carb and fat heavy in the evenings which is something you can change quite easily. It's great you don't eat junk, so you won't have any withdrawal pangs.

As for exercise, the walking is great but maybe you could invest in a wii fit or a couple of exercise dvds? Lots of people swear by Shred and davina and it's something you can do at home in your own time. Just half an hour a day can work wonders.

It's good to identify your weaknesses too. My weighloss has been slow because I keep having sociable weekends drinking too much alcohol and eating rubbish the next day when hungover. So i've only lost a stone since January. But knowledge is power and I'm now reigning it in and starting to lose again.

I personally would recommend weightwatchers and slimming world as there are lots of resources and forums online where you can get support in your weight-loss journey. It does help to have people you can chat to every day (albeit online) and share your new foodie discoveries. Both eating plans have lots of "free" foods which you can eat as much as you like of, so there's no need to go hungry.

ovoreo

Good luck! Have you decided how to refresh your diet? I lost 24lb at the end of last year (and been working hard to keep it off) by using a hybrid Atkins low carb diet. Cutting out sugars was the best thing I've ever done. I even managed to give up sugar in tea and coffee! Never thought I could do that. I've not successfully introduced regular exercise yet so I know my fitness levels are shocking but for me I had to start controlling what I ate. Plus loosing some weight gave me a real boost. The rest will follow. You may need to see a dietition to make sure whatever you try will be okay for your health.

LillythePink

I have just looked at WW online and they exclude the channel islands! Why??? It's an online service!!

They are on quidco and you can get £15 cash back if you register for their online service!

cuthbert_the_octopus

Go to Topcashback instead £30 cashback for a WW online subscription, I believe this will cover 1st 3 months membership.

I have been using WW online, as it gives you access to all the online tools you will need for ur 'healthy eating' plan.

I was the same size as you (18-20ish) and over the last year I have lost a 1/3 of my body weight (although I still do not have a healthy BMI) following the plan - and have learnt alot about portion control, and things I thought were 'healthy' have turned out not to be!! I cook from scratch, so find it easy to follow the plan, as I can control whats in it, and much cheaper than ready meals.

Exercise has been the key to me, developing good habits, even meaning when I dont exercise I miss it! I have fit it around my lifestyle, for example I know that if I go straight home from work, I will not do any exercise, so instead get up early and swim before work. I would strongly recommend aquarobics as a good place to start, as it low impact and the water supports your body. It is all about forming good habits!

Good luck, you can do this when you put ur mind to it.

Greenbix

What worked for me was eating adequate meals (not too much, not too little) going to the gym 3 times a week and walking to work rather than getting the bus.

Lil_Me_2

Quite a few GPs will prescribe a 3 month course of Slimming World if you go and ask them, I think it would help you with your health and also the bank balance! They do expect you to lose something (a stone for example) in that time, and some might then go onto prescribe another 3 months. There is also a very supportive thread on here full of SWers if you want people to chat to - https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/3205350.

With your new diagnosis I agree with what Margaretclare has said about keeping a stable blood pressure. Eat little and often. Good luck!

Mojisola

I've managed to stay off medication and have now reduced my sugar levels to normal by low carbing.

These are two useful sites - https://www.diabetes.co.uk/diabetes-forum/viewforum.php?f=18 and http://forum.lowcarber.org/forumdisplay.php?f=45 - with experienced people willing to help.

Becles

Silver-Cat wrote: »

I went to a few evening classes with some friends but was the biggest girl there and with feeling so low it just put me off. I think if I wasn't feeling so bad about myself I would have been fine, even if I was the biggest person there!

Do you live in the North East?

I'm a member of a fantastic women's only boot camp. We train in all weathers outside and do military style fitness training. It's tough and you really feel it, but also you really get results. There is also an online diet plan to follow.

Nobody bats an eyelid at the size of people. We've got ladies who are all shapes and sizes and nobody ever gets singled out for being the biggest and I've never heard a nasty comment made.

We support each other a lot and comment if we notice someone has lost weight or is looking toned. You'd definitely be made very welcome and it's so addictive too.

I used to be in a gym but hated it and thought this might be a passing fad, but I've been going three times a week for about a year now. I even attended in the minus temps and snow we had last winter

ailuro2

Ignore the horrible friends, they're not real friends if they thought it was funny to do what they did to you.

You need to read up a bit on GI foods and choose the lower GI version where possible, and eat little and often. Also I think diabetics need low fat food aswell as low GI, at least for most of their food.

You also need to see a specialist nurse who can advise you on what to eat. Some areas are better than others for this. The to eat fruit or not debate with diabetes is something you'll have to find out for yourself, I know someone who was told to steer clear of fruit as it was the wrong kind of sugar for him. That's why I'm saying get some professional help.

It sounds like you do all your eating at night time - and not healthy things either - white pasta and a sauce made mostly from cheese, minced beef and white rice.

You can make a few changes that will benefit you even before you get in to see the practice nurse - having porridge made up in a tub the night before to heat up in the morning then add some banana or blueberries / strawberries for a quick healthy breakfast - a few days worth can be made in one go then refrigerated. Making up a salad for lunch with lots of veggies little ham or tuna. Then at teatime have a stir fry with loads of veggies and some lean protein like chicken, with some wholegrain rice. This would be a good way to eat for anyone looking to eat healthier.

I can't repeat often enough that you need proper advice regards what to eat, not all people who are diagnosed as type II go on to need tablets or injections, some of them can control it with diet and exercise ( bloke who was told not to eat too much fruit uses his exercise bike for half an hour every day, and walks to and from work, he says this helps enormously to keep his sugars evened out)

Good Luck!