SparkPoints: (8,291)
Fitness Minutes: (3,281)
Posts: 753
4/9/13 6:16 P

I have to say I think all of us go through "stages" when we find out we have diabetes, my "discovery" was in 1975 right after I turned 18. Here I had all these plans to be able to go out and eat what I wanted, do what I wanted and instead I was handed this "plate" which I really didn't want. I went through the anger, denial, refusal stages, and I learned from each one. Thank goodness my mom was there and helped me learn all I could about the disease, because even though my Great-Great grandmother and great-great aunts and uncles were alive until I was 16, none of them ever had the disease and neither did anyone else in the family..I was the first.

What I did learn, through the years, is how important control is, the sooner the better. I also learned that no matter what, you won't see anything happening in the present in regards to bad blood sugars and not following your diet, taking your insulin..you'll see it years later.

I've had 2 kids who turned out just fine and I've learned so much. For the past 10 years I've been on the Insulin pump and I LOVE it. I had been taking 9 shots a day, and this is so much better both on the body and control. My A1C dropped from 9.5 to 6.7 in a months time of switching to the pump, thank goodness.

So stay with the diet, stay with your plan and things will get better. Take care of yourself bottom line, and have a great day!

current weight: 258.4

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Posts: 468
2/11/13 7:40 A

Welcome

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Posts: 832
2/1/13 4:23 P

Another resource I've found helpful was Geneen Roth's Women, Food, and God. It helped me deal with some of the non-hunger reasons I was eating.

I tend to be pretty rigorous (my husband would say anal retentive) with my routine, so for me, no carbs (other than veggies) keeps my cravings under control. Perhaps a food scale would help you with portion control, and that way you could 'budget' your carbs to allow for the occasional pasta or potato?

Pounds lost: 1.4

0 6.75 13.5 20.25

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SparkPoints: (278)
Fitness Minutes: (150)
Posts: 8
2/1/13 2:04 P

When I was first diagnosed I too read Richard K. Bernstein's Diabetes Solution. I followed that diet for a year and kept all the weight off, however, that diet was sooooo restrictive. Along with that diet, I was walking 10 miles and 2 hours spent in the gym daily. I simply became addicted to such tight control, I nearly lost it!

I can't imagine a life without fruit, potatoes and the occasional or more bowl of pasta. I don't need a lot of starch daily but cutting it out, I will binge. I really need help in portion size!!!

My Endocrinologist thinks I have great control over my diabetes but it's not reflected in my weight, which is very upsetting. I too find myself grateful to be Type I diabetic, it really does make you take of yourself, whether you want to or not!!!! I love cooking and I love healthy food. My problem is eating out often with my husband and simply eating out of boredom/stress/etc!

My husband is deploying to the Middle East this month and although I am worried for him, I am taking the time he is away to get my act together and take care of my weight as much as I take care of my sugar!

Thanks for sharing! I don't know any Type I's out there, so it's refreshing to see someone who deals with my struggles and has found something that works!

current weight: 254.8

258 237.25 216.5 195.75

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Posts: 832
2/1/13 12:32 P

I've had type 1 for 20 years, and in a way, I'm grateful. I'm healthier than I've ever been and I attribute that to the fact that I HAVE to take care of myself!

I was struggling to find ANYTHING that would help me lose the weight that piled on after diagnosis. I was one of the first to say that it was simply impossible for me to lose.

Then I read Richard K. Bernstein's Diabetes Solution. I cried through much of the book, because I finally read something that made sense! I started his plan and lost 38 pounds in three and a half months, without exercising (I was doing a desk job at the time). I was (and am) sold on low carb for diabetics.

Over the years, I bounced around different ways of eating, and let the pounds creep back up. Almost two years ago, I decided 'enough is enough' and gave myself the gift of trying Medifast for a month. Well, I was hooked, and I've lost 60 pounds, so I KNOW that it can be done.

My husband is a type 2, and not the type to diet. He watched me losing and wanted to try too. But he didn't like the restriction of Medifast, so he's following another, simpler plan. He's lost 50 pounds, so my 16 year-old son has started too. He's losing about 2 pounds a week. Here's what they're doing, which is what I'll do when I reach goal:
www.cnn.com/2011/HEALTH/04/22/weight.loss.
anita.mills/index.html

Good luck!
Valerie

Pounds lost: 1.4

0 6.75 13.5 20.25

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SparkPoints: (278)
Fitness Minutes: (150)
Posts: 8
2/1/13 12:19 P

Hi, I just joined SparkPeople and found this team to join. I have been Type I for a decade. I was diagnosed a month after my 21st birthday, at my healthiest! It was a crushing blow to see the weight pile on throughout the years. At times my diabetes is all consuming, while other days I just want to throw my hands up and not check my sugar (I check between 4-8 times daily). It is frustrating trying every type of diet to only lose 1 pound in a month to others 30 lbs!

I'm giving myself the chance to not think about the past and how I have failed numerous attempts at weight loss. Today is a new day and hope to take control of my life and get my weight down while continuing to lower to A1C.

current weight: 254.8

258 237.25 216.5 195.75

175