MARTIN SHANNON, TYPE 2 COACH

There are only 3 macronutrients: Carbohydrates, Proteins, Fats. If you reduce carbs which have 4 calories per gram you have to increase either fats or proteins to make up the calorie deficit. Increasing proteins will also cause problems in that your body will make glucose from proteins quite easily. Example: If you are eating a 2000 calories diet that contains 300 grams of carbs (typical avg diet of a non-diabetic) you are getting 1200 calories from carbs. Reduce the carbs to 50-100 grams a day would give you 200-400 calories from carbs. This leaves you a deficit of the original 1200 calories of 800-1000 calories, you have to make up the calories from one of the two macronutrients left, fats or proteins or your body’s metabolism will slow down.

GREAT ADVICE FROM OUR DIABETES EDUCATOR

Edith Weil

6 hrs

A GOOD READ. A MESSAGE FROM OUR CERTIFIED DIABETES EDUCATOR*****************Charlee Kimball Deb, I have no idea what meds you are on, so it is hard to help. Here is what I teach........you need 7 cups of vegetables a day. Your body does not make all the enzymes it needs to process your food, and we get the enzymes we need from vegetables. You need good fats. These are flax seed oils, nuts such as walnuts and almonds, avocados, and Extra Virgin Olive oil. You have to make an ...effort to get the bad fats out of your diet. Bad fats are trans fats (ingredient list will have "hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated" ), all plant based/vegetable oils such as soybean, canola, safflower, sunflower, corn, cottonseed, grapeseed, rapeseed, walnut, palm oil, peanut etc. These are not just the oils that you can buy to cook with, but are in just about every processed food. You have to cut out the refined grains. Just about every type of bread on the grocery shelf is "refined" and so is all that flour you buy. And finally, you have to learn the names of sugar and how food manufacturers try and fool you. "sugar free" only means it does not contain table sugar. Honey, molasses, agave, dextrose, lactose, sucrose, fructose...there are about 50 different names for sugar. And finally High Fructose Corn Syrup is horrible and so damaging to our bodies. You have to get rid of this from your diet. You will find it in regular sodas, BBQ sauce,salad dressings, peanut butter, cereals, miracle whip, fruit juice, ice cream, yogurt...all kinds of things. Then keep your carbs to about 100 grams per day. If you focus on REAL food of lots of vegetables and lean meats with some good fat, you will find that you do much, much better. Shop the parameter of the grocery store and avoid premade foods. Shop the isles only for a few select items.

 

COMMENTS BY MARTIN SHANNON

Taking Control
What does it mean to take control of your life, health, physical well-being? When first diagnosed with diabetes it is of utmost importance to learn everything you can about your disease, read, think, read some more. Put into practice what you have read. Use your meter as often as you feel necessary, more importantly than just taking your glucose levels is using the information to better control yourself. Doesn’t matter who you see for your diabetes, the doct...or, the nutritionist, diabetic educator, the Endocrinologist, it is your diabetes not theirs. You need to educate yourself to the point where you can make informed decisive decisions about how you are going to treat your diabetes. Listen to the professionals but question everything they say, and then make a decision. Do not let them decide for you what you are going to take to treat your diabetes. You have to own this disease, control it to the best of your ability. If you’re taking medication and your glucose levels are still out of control, change your diet first not your medication. Diet and exercise is the true key to controlling this disease. All Carbohydrates will have an impact on your blood glucose levels, some faster than others but all will have an impact. If that impact drives your glucose levels beyond your set goal you need to rethink what you are eating. If at some point you can no longer refine your diet in your quest to achieve normal glucose levels than adding more medication makes sense but you have to decide what medication you want to take. Taking the latest and greatest medication is not always the best route to take. Do you have a goal in mind or are you going by what your doctor told you are acceptable levels. What are acceptable levels by most organizations and what will help eliminate future complications are usually two different goals entirely. Learn what normal glucose levels are; decide what you want your goals to be, then strive to obtain those goals.

http://t2dcoaching.com/daily-tips/2014/1/2/taking-control

COMMENT BY EDITH

 As regarding type 2s....it a choice. We are not judging. We are just saying what happening with us.. Of course, it is upsetting to me hear that people don't even research diabetes and test to stay in the normal range. A lot of us who are in the first stages of diabetes try to control by diet and exercise. I choose not to eat certain foods that I know will spike me...I choose not to be on insulin. Not to say I will never be on insulin if my pancreas stops working. But if I can control my type 2 by eating the right foods, that is always the healthiest choice. No food is that important to me. Especially since there are so many good alternnatives. Research and learn. I had steak fajitas for lunch. I did not eat the rice, beans, and tortillas because they will spike my sugars. I ate the steak, the lettuce, the cheese and all the condiments that came with it. Eating what you want and then cover with insulin is never a good choice.,..Eventually you will need more and more insulin to cover. I got myself off metformin with diet and supplements. Yes, I test a lot...before and 2 hours after I eat. I am still not perfect. I am at 6.2 my doctor still wants me to lose 20 pounds and get my A1C under 6. I know what I have to do to lose weight(as most of us do). I have lowered my carb intake, but I would also need to count my calories and watch portion size and exercise. Right now I guess I am not willing to do that. None of this is easy..but I am a cancer survivor and I do everything I can to prevent cancer from coming back and to keep my diabetes in check. Edith, founder and administrator

PENNY'S COMMENTS--BLAMING OTHERS

Sometimes support means tough love. I understand the struggle diabetics have. I will also assume that we are all adults here. That being said, I want to know why it is alright to blame other people for OUR bad eating choices? My husband is not diabetic, therefor I do not feel the need to force him to follow a diabetic diet. My grandchildren are not diabetic and are VERY active, as is my husband. I cook healthy, well balanced meals and eat what is good for me. I also bake and have candy in the house. It is my husbands home as well. He loves chocolate. Does is bother me? While sometimes I still crave chocolate, I know it is bad for me. If I give in is it my husband's fault? NO. While we all have to make decisions for our own families, it is not right to blame others for our bad decisions!

JOYCE H. STORY

Hi diabetic peeps.. I read a lot how shocking it is for some of you when you got your dx.. idky but I wasn't shocked.. nobody in my family had it at the time.. I went to the classes, learned the ADA way.. but after 5 years forgot about it . Fell into old habits.. when doc said IF YOUR A1C doesn't come down from 6.9 we will put you on meds. That kind of hit me. But it took 2 months for me to get going. I stumbled on this group and BAM.. I'm a DIABETIC WARRIOR!! I don't really think.. WHY ME? I think WHY NOT ME? I can still be everything I am and NO LESS. I no longer feel controlled by food. Seems strange to say.. I used to wake up and think about the cookies, cakes etc that are there for my kids.. my kids used to come down and say, MOM, DID YOU FINISH THE TASTYKAKES? I'm no longer a slave to the sweets. I feel free because that burden has been lifted from my shoulders.. My bs has been in the 90s since I started lchf less than a week ago.. I've lost 27 lbs since July.. you can do it people.. a little effort.. maybe thinking outside if the box you are stuck in.. GOOD LUCK, MY DIABETIC FRIENDS..

MARTIN SHANNON'S STORY

A little back ground on myself..
Let me begin by saying I was a healthy child, healthy adult. I may have been to the doctor's office five times in 30 years, until I turned 50 yrs old. I was 6'1" 250 lbs. most of my life since 10th grade in high school and strong as an Ox, slightly overweight and ate everything and anything that was in front of me.
My wife and I walked 30-35 miles a week for years. She then had medical problems of her own and the walking subsided. It was during this time my Blood Glucose started to climb. The doctor I saw said I probably had Diabetes Type 2 for approximately 3-5 years without being diagnosed. All the rest happened in a short 18 months of my life, as I look back I still can't believe this all took place.
It all started with a MRSA infection on my leg. I went into Diabetic Ketoacidosis twice, the Doctor's at the medical center took my blood and said it was 250 mg/dl, this was after losing fluids for 48 straight hours, before I could get to the medical center. Of course denial is a powerful enemy and I brushed it off. I went through 3 different antibiotics for a month. The yeast infection was some kind of fun; I had it in my ears, throat and mouth.
I finally went to the doctor after eating nothing but eggs and slim Jims for a week and my Blood Glucose was 350, and my BP was 220/110. He put me on some Diabetic and blood pressure medications. After this is when all of the fun began.
We have a very small manufacturing process that requires lots of hand work. Needless to say I had neuropathy so bad in my hands I had to tape Popsicle sticks to my fingers and wear a wrist brace on both hands, couldn't move them without some really outrageous pain. I was a sight to see, Edward Scissors Hands comes to mind.
Two ear aches followed, one in my left ear, so severe I lost partial hearing. Weeks later in my right ear, (inner ear) this one gave me vertigo so bad I laid on the floor for hours just dry heaving after I lost everything in my stomach. Not long after that my back was tightening up, so I had my wife walk on my back as she had done for years. Got a broken rib out of the deal. Next was the chest pain I was having when we did try to walk. I endured the chest pain for 9 months or so. Again, denial is a powerful enemy. Wife convinced me to see a Cardiologist, and within 5 days I had a quadruple by-pass heart surgery. All this because I ignored the early warning signs of Diabetes. I am an owner of a testing laboratory. I decided to take my skills of research and use them to my benefit. I tackled every one of my problems one at a time. Changed my diet, took the right supplements, I am now currently on no diabetes medications. The only prescription I take is a small dose of blood pressure medication for precautionary reasons. My passion has turned from running this laboratory to helping others just like you. I spend countless hours on diabetes forums, Facebook, and other social media sites helping others and informing them of the decisions they do have to make to live a full life.

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DAMITA'S STORY ...TO BE CONTINUED

When I lost my eyesight! I've been struggling with this for a couple of months, but now it's time to tell the story. This is my journey: During the NBA playoffs I notice something going on with my body. Laying in bed I notice that I couldn't see anything that was normal, my first thought was I was just tired and over whelmed from just coming back from Lima. I begin to eat gummy bears by the cases. Setting in church one Sunday I noticed that I couldn't see Pastor Pollard or th...e choir. I whisper to my Hubby that I couldn't see to take the notes. Still not thinking anything was wrong I came home did the normal routine. Monday morning is Sam's club day. I was driving out of the Sub-division it was a right or left turn I keep going cross. I made a quick stop and said Lord something is wrong (not one truck or car was coming) me being who I am I continue on to Sam's Club. Friday morning I keep the normal plans and I had promise someone homemade pizza. I just keep asking God to keep me through the weekend until I could make it to the Doctor. We went to the Doctor he begin to ask questions back did a few test. I begin to tell the Lord you put in my spirit what was going on but if this is the case give me the strength to deal with it. Doctor came back and said Damita Chatman God has been good to you over the weekend. I begin to hold me head down he said hold your head up because God has already healed you, you now must just walk it out, Dr. Blake said you are a Type 2 Diabetic. The doctor stated you should have been in a coma or had a stroke but God has been covering you in his blood. He walked out the room, I said LORD you got to help me. We begin to start the insulin ,the doctor said you must take everything out of your diet that has sugar in it. Well I knew that it was going to be hard. I looked down and said this is the hand that God has deal me and I'm going to play to win. I begin to walk out of the office to tell my husband, I started to shed tears, because eyesight was going out. He looked up and said what did the doctor say. I said I'm a Diabetic and if I don't take over this then it's taking over me. I said Lord if you could just take the taste of sweet from me and give me the strength to do this I know I can. Well today it's been over 21/2 months nothing sweet exercise and doing what I suppose to do. I take 3 shots a day plus pill. The LORD has bless my eye sight to come back and I've lost 30 pounds. I went cold turkey on everything that wasn't suppose to be in my diet. I said Lord if you take the taste from me I know I can do it( God did just what I ask). God spoke and said now you must tell your story because so many folks are in the same place you were. I didn't want any petty parties or anyone feeling sorry for me. When my son said Mom you can't die now, that just gave me more courage to take control of this disease. My A1C 13.4 it will be low when I go back for the retest. NOTHING BUT GOD !! August 9,2014

 

 

MARTIN SHANNON ON MODERATION

Moderation => Frustration
Lots of talk about diet and everything in moderation is ok. I need help in understanding this. To me it is like saying I will take a moderate risk with my diabetes. Now that you have been diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes trying to eat all things in moderation only leads to frustration. You will never be able to eat the things you loved to eat in the past without increasing medications or having to inject large amounts of insulin to cover your meal ...and keep your glucose levels in a normal range. Normal range, that’s the key here. If you are ok with abnormal glucose levels, then there really isn’t a problem. Glucose levels above 140, 7.8 for any length of time harm soft tissue with in your body. You want to try and keep your glucose levels below these limits at all times, your risking complications if you do otherwise. Being a Type 2 with insulin resistance means your food choices before being diagnosed were that of a high carb nature. It is not by coincidence that we were all carboholics before being diagnosed. Your body was starving because the glucose insulin mix was not getting into your cells to provide energy. This set up your body sending signals to your brain to eat something with glucose, carbohydrates, that’s easily digestible. Your brain then rewarded you for this by releasing serotonin creating a dependency on carbohydrates. Your body still cannot use the insulin glucose mix as energy well so it uses it to make fat, while still sending signals to your brain your starving eat something carby. This results in rapid weight gain mostly around the middle part of your body. There is however a population of thin Type 2’s that develop insulin resistance with in their organs, about 20% of the total diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes. The only way to break free of this vicious cycle is to reduce your dependency on glucose by reducing your carbohydrate consumption. If you are still trying to eat everything in moderation your glucose levels are still fluctuating, you are seldom satisfied after a meal, and you are going to make yourself frustrated with this disease. There are thousands of recipes out there for almost any type of food you want to eat that would be acceptable for a low carb lifestyle. Your will find your cravings vanish, your desire to make replicas of your favorite foods diminish as well. You will lose weight, regulate your glucose levels, your cholesterol levels, and minimize your medications and or insulin dosages.
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MARTIN SHANNON: LEARNING TO GIVE UP

Learning to Give Up
Diabetic now, not sure what to do, first thing is learn to give up your old lifestyle. The faster you do this the quicker your body will heal. Wallowing around in denial, fighting this disease, eating what you want, just because you are mad, frustrated, and angry will only elongate the healing process you got ahead of you. The physical aspects of this disease are the easy part, eat right, get some exercise, and take your medications if necessary, the me...ntal part is much more complicated. Your lifestyle choices need to change. You can lie to yourself, well it is just a slice of bread what can it hurt, that’s the mental game you got to face day in and day out. Your brain will adapt to not wanting that type of foods in the long run given if you are strong enough to put off temptation long enough. It is a battle especially when friends and relatives get together and food is involved, but you have to stay vigilant in order to succeed. Your mind will play tricks on you, I can have that, it will not hurt anything, just one bite, and we all have been there in the beginning. You got to tell yourself I can eat whatever I want but I choose not to eat that particular food item. This gives you mental strength, empowers you to do the right thing. Learn to love what you can eat and learn to let go of what you loved to eat. You will get lots of people telling you differently, eat what you want just take your medications you will be alright. Those that are living that lifestyle that you know, do they look alright, do they look healthy, are they losing weight and ask yourself, do I want to travel down that same road. I believe one’s motivation to stay compliant is directly proportional to just how sick with complications they were before being diagnosed. It must be hard for those that have no outwardly signs of ill health yet your doctor just informed you that you have diabetes. I was sick, really sick, being diagnosed was a blessing for me. Those that are newly diagnosed and feel as if there is nothing wrong with you and you do not take this disease seriously, you will in time, I assure you.

RHONDA S. WORDS OF SUPPORT TO NEW MOM

Rhonda L R. Strange You are so young and you can live that long and healthy life and enjoy that child by taking care of yourself. As one ages diabetes will get worse and you will surely suffer from many of the complications associated with this disease. The best thing you can do right now is to educate yourself. Diabetes affects your whole entire body by causing inflammation in all your cells and this inflammation will also destroy the nerve endings, causing more problems. Learn everything you can about your diet and medication and how it all works together. Look at this as a lifestyle change. As your child grows encourage healthy eating for your entire family. You are young enough that you could probably get off medication by following a very low carb diet. You will find lots of tips on here as that is what most of us follow on here. There are great tips up in the files to read. You can do this!

SANDY R. STORY

I just have to share my good news to encourage you. I have been doing low carb since the end of May. I have been eating the right kinds of food and eating NO sugar! Splenda has been my friend! When I had my A1C checked 3 months ago, it was 7.4. I talked my doctor into letting me stop taking thE Glimipiride by convincing him that I had made a lifestyle change and have been doing low carbs. Since I gad lost about 30 then, he finally gave in. Today I got the results of my... A1C and it dropped from 7.4 to 5.2! Yeah me! I am so excited and guess what? He told me I could now stop the Victoza too! Woo Hoo! Can't wait to see what it is next time. Thanks to this group, I have made a lifestyle change (not a diet. It's a brain teaser, I know) and I just have to say to those of you who find fault with those graphic photos........it was an eye opener for me! It can be done, folks. I still have a lot of work to do, but I no longer crave sweets, which is a miracle in itself and I don't eat nearly what I use to. Thanks for the encouragement and support!

SCOTT F. CONVERSATION WITH A FRIEND

Sally: Hi, wow you look different, must be getting older and more refined
Me: Hey, No I insist that I get younger and not let life that me down the tubes
Sally: Have you lost weight?
Me: Yes, I've lost about 18 pounds in the last 3 months.
Sally: Wow you must have really cut back on the sweets, eggs and meats, cause that stuff is really fatty and causes all kinds of weight gains in people.
Me: No I quit eating potatoes, bread, pasta, cereals and oatmeal for the most part
Sally: Noooo, that is healthy food, I mean you've always ate healthy bread and oatmeal is real good for everyone.
Me: No those kind of foods actually is what was causing my blood sugars to go up and why I never had control and led to complications from my diabetes.
Sally: You have diabetes? Me too and I am always giving myself these stupid shots
Me: Well I discovered that if I cut out as many carbs as I can and just eat lean meats and vegetables with extra fats from good sources, I learned to control my glucose levels and it has helped me lose weight as well.
Sally: Impossible fats are bad you, I mean Bob's doctor told him if he didn't quit eating so many eggs, bacon, ham, pork chops and fried chicken he was going to have a heart attack before he was 50. So we cut out a lot of the foods we used to eat and we are in worse of a battle than we used to be, Bob's cholesterol has gotten worse and his sugars are up. We started eating whole wheat pancakes, sweet potatoes, and went to whole wheat pastas and honestly Bob says he feels worse now. We eat a lot of healthy grains and stuff, we started eating all this 'fat free' foods and started eating what the doctor said was better for us. I don't understand why we haven't lost weight and our sugar numbers are still really high??
Me: Well Sally it is because what we thought was good for us really isn't. The old stories about Grand Ma and Grand Pa living to 100 and they basically made their own foods on the farm, ate stuff like eggs, country ham and bacon, stuff that came out of their garden, they worked all the time and only had cake and pies on special occasions is because that ate lean and hardy without the junk, back then they could drive thru a McDonalds and get pancakes, or grab a bagel and cream cheese or a Dunkin Donuts, they ate lots of vegetable and meats they made themselves.
Sally: But my friends and everything I have read says fat is bad for you.
Me: I thought that to until I starting researching more about what causes high cholesterol and triglycerides and blood sugars to be high, its all the carbohydrates that I put in to our live that have caused the problem not the fats, it is when you combine the fats with the carbs that you gain weight and your cholesterol numbers get higher and it causes all sorts of health problems.
Sally: Wow maybe I need to change the way I think and start cooking differently?
Me: Yep and I would be glad to help
So do you ever get into a conversation like this? We must be willing to "Think Outside of the Box" and let go of stereotypical thinking when it comes to changing our lives or those close to us.

STATEMENT BY EDITH, FOUNDER OF GROUP

 We are all different. That is why we say test and test again. We all have to make choices in our lives and how we want to live them and then we have to be ready to accept the consequences of our choices

TONYA W. STORY

I posted this not long ago but after seeing some of the comments & posts lately, I think it needs repeating...
You're a diabetic right?? You eat whatever you want? You don't take your medicine? You want to go out drinking & partying? Go for it! Just remember... I did that too. I didn't take the best care of myself years ago. I did whatever I wanted & let my blood sugar do as it wanted. And guess what happened... I'm now blind in 1 eye, & legally blind in the other, thanks to ...diabetic retinopathy. I have neuropathy in my leg that stops my walking @ times. Neuropathy in my arms & hands. My kidneys failed, I went on dialysis, & ended up having a transplant. And all because I was too stubborn to make the effort to take better care of myself. Look @ the posts on here sometime of people having to have amputations of limbs, toes, etc. Do you want that too?? I wish I'd had this group when I was younger! It would've scared the hell out of me & made me think twice before making some of the choices I made! Diabetes is nothing to ignore! It can kill! I get so upset seeing people do as I did & I want to help you not do it so you won't be in the shape I'm in now. I know this is harsh but I hope it makes some of y'all think twice about your health!! Much love to you all! 

CINDY G. SUCCESS STORY

 I started this journey 11 years ago I gave up sugar watched my carbs and ate and tested and tested and tested I dont do milk fruit cereal at all but I do eat a sandwich for lunch and I pretty much eat rhe same things all the time I just rotate it around I know what I can eat and what I cannot I walk by donuts and drool but dont eat those either this disease effects people differently I learned through my trusty meter what works for me my a1c i s 5.3 consistent my 3 month average is 110 I have lost 80 lbs but more important I have made myself active and have been in control of my journey your make your meter your best friend

JESSICA F. STORY

 , i got diagnosed on May 21 of this year my A1c level was at 7.8 my cholesterol was 219 and my bp was running from 160 ish /102 even got to 198/120. .pretty scary. So my doc. gave me the run down about diabetes and prescribed. metformin 500 mg twice daily and bp meds ( 10 mg ) and cholesterol medication. So on my way home from the dr. i had a long talk with myself and i just had to ask myself " do you want to live longer or continue to eat whatever" so i decided to watch what i ate i went back for my follow up in July my A1c was down to 5.1 my bp was staying 130/ 80 . And as of last month my cholesterol is down to 94 :) . I have lost 25 pounds, still got a lot more to lose but i  i got this

AMANDA H. C. TESTIMONY

Most people struggle with food. I know I do. I am eating low carb but there isn't one day that goes by that I don't want something that is loaded with delicious heavy carbs. Yesterday it was a cheeseburger from Culvers (Wisconsin speciality). Today will be something...usually hitting me late at night. It gets to me cause I do so well and then one moment of weakness can ruin a whole day. I have considered "everything in moderation" or just using my insulin to cover what I eat.... I mean, no one in my family would judge me so why not? Well let me tell you why not...

I was diagnosed at the age of 21 with diabetes but did nothing about it. I had meds to take but was miserable at keeping a schedule for them so they didn't help. I ate what I wanted and had no worries over it. The photo attached to this is me at the age of 24...three years after being diagnosed. I was 350 lbs and still uncontrolled. After two miscarriages, I decided it was time to start thinking about my health. I stopped eating sugar and seriously cut down on carbs. I began eating wholesome and delicious foods...it was a great excuse to buy more expensive cuts of meat! Steak, stuffed chicken breasts, pork roasts, hard cheeses, exotic veggies. I also cut out my three large meals a day and started eating multiple small meals...my hubby calls it grazing. I was hard on myself and the more weight I lost, the more I felt I was fat.
Fast forward to this year...I have lost 125 lbs total since then. The pictures on the right are me now. I know the pictures are improved but now I suffer from consequences of eating wrong for the first few years. I have a dead pancreas (only 4% working), neuropathy, fibromyalgia and gastroperisis.I have super high triglycerides (we are talking 12000 range, now lowered to 3000) I have had three rounds of pancreatitis in two years, Bells Palsy, appendicitis, staph infection and multiple viruses and bacteria infections. I have basically no immune system because my metabolic system is shot. These are all direct results of diabetes. I am 30 years old and have already been in a diabetic coma. I was told I wouldn't make it to 40. I have also suffered three other miscarriages from diabetic related issues.
I am not trying to scare you....oh wait, yes I am! If I can prevent even one of you from living like I did and suffering for so long, then all this is worth it! Weight loss is great but the main concern is eating right...the weight loss then follows. Please realize that myself and the admin team are here to help you. We can seem harsh and maybe even mean at times, but we want everyone educated and healthy. We challenge you and your choices because it needs to be done. We are a support group for you to live healthy. Not to support you making bad choices. We are here to help you learn as well and we love questions and discussions. We understand the struggles because we are one of you.
Please, take your health seriously! Eat well, live well!

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ANGIE'S HUSBAND

Angie posted this in our recipe group
I know I don't say much here but I have been reading everything since I joined. I want to thank you all SO MUCH!! I have gotten some great ideas especially for my hubby's lunches to take to work. He is the diabetic and 3 months ago his doctor said he gave him 3 more months or he was going to put him on insulin injections. We both dug in & today at his appt his doctor congratulated him in the waiting room!! He's numbers were the best they've ever been since he's been seeing him, he got to decrease his glyburide and when he weighed in he's lost 25 lbs! All that hard work has paid off, thanks again to you all!

SHIRLEY M. STORY

 have lost 43 lbs . My dr took me off all my sugar meds, blood pressure meds, and expect to be off cholesterol by next appt. My cholesterol levels arenow in the normal range.my anxiety meds have been cut in half. When I started walking I could hardly walk from neighbors yard now I walk 2-4 miles a day

Konda Detterline 9/19
my BS was messed up.  Been trying this for about 3 weeks and for the last week now I have FINALLY leveled out and gotten control over them and been loosing weight.  You dont feel starved or deprived either.

Lillian Stevens 9/19
Last April I started eating LCHF (I don't really pay attention to adding extra fat to my diet but I don't restrict it if that makes sense).  My last a1c was 5.6,  my indigestion/acid reflux is gone, my arthritis in my left shoulder miraculously acts up a fraction of what it used to and my knees no longer hurt. I have lost almost 40 pounds.  I went through my closet today to purge old clothes and was shocked at what I saw in the mirror.  I wasn't trying to lose weight (just trying to lower my a1c) but I got the fringe benefit of this:   Makes me smile from ear to ear

PATTY S STORY

My story isn't a long time story, but sometimes "instant gratification" is where its at. So here's my story:   I was diagnosed on August 3 with a A1c of 11 and BG at 253, during a routine physical.  I was shocked because I am not overweight, but I had the worst junk food diet on earth.  Cookies, candy, ice cream, flour tortillas, Pasta, Coke by the six pack, white bread and lots of fruit was about 90 percent of my diet......  I came home in shock.  I was scared and frankly, I would be fired if my boss found out, a requirement of my job is being physically fit for duty.  ANYWAY.... that sucked...but I have a great paying good job and want to keep it. I don't want to be on insulin (again, I'd be fired)  So...... I came home and threw out every crappy thing in this house.  All of the above mentioned stuff and more. I started eating a big salad every night with Bleu Cheese dressing. I'd eat a piece of cheese and cook up a hamburger patty or a steak or a chicken breast.  I made sure I had a high fiber/low carb breakfast, I will have a few slices of bacon or  a piece of cheese.  I walk miles every day at my job so exercise wasn't a concern..... Well, the first week my Blood Sugar inched down to 175, which was a relief... the next week it DROPPED  to 120 or so, didn't ever get up past 140.  Now, six weeks later my highest blood sugar for a long time has been 154 (I think) and that was today and I don't know why.  It runs usually about 95 when I wake up in the mornings, is around 100 at lunchtime and no more than 120 max.  I have more energy and am able to stay awake without taking a nap when I get home from work.  I sleep so much better, I have no heartburn, and I feel.... peaceful.   It wasn't "that" hard to do.  I don't like to let some one or some "thing" (food in this instance) dictate my destiny and my choices.... so I won't listen to the ADAs recommendation that a A1c of 7.0 is "good enough for diabetics"  That's bull crap... I will fight for the rest of my life to keep my limbs, my organs, and my LIFE itself.  If it is good enough for everyone else to have a 5.0 A1c, then it is good enough for me, and by  God I'm gonna get there.  The end.

That's it so far
There was another butt was just too vague and didn't usually show much success. 

UPDATE ON DWAYNE R STORY

In march I was put on cholesterol medication.
I immediately experienced side effects. 
I asked questions in the group and done some homework.
I was skeptical at best but finally just went for it.
I cut 100 carbs from my diet, and upped my good fats.
I also added two natural supplements.
Although it didn't usually change my glucose levels, well here's the rest of the story....
I returned to the doctor in July for tests and I was sweating bullets.
Blood work results came back. My cholesterol levels all fell into the perfectly acceptable range.
I don't do true LCHF, but I try to stay between 100-140 daily. So even though my lower carb higher fats isn't truly LCHF, cutting carbs and upping my good fats was a success in lowering my cholesterol and I also lost 20 pounds in the process.

DONNA F. STORY

After only about a week totally focusing on LCHF and logging everything I ate using an online tracker because honestly until that point in time, it was a 'guessing game and I cheated ALL the time...' but when I saw and was holding myself accountable, my life changed.  I WISH I'd faced this 8 years ago and got tough with myself.  So I'm now well below 50 carbs/day, sometimes have to force myself to eat since my appetite is far less, I feel energetic, 'lighter', have lower readings and think "good grief Donna why didn't you clue in sooner!"  I'm owning my diabetes now, it's not owning me.

CHARLENE C STORY

I am thrilled with the progress I've made with LCHF. To be honest, I really didn't want it to work, but I had to do something. My sugars weren't awful, but I knew I'd become way too complacent about them. When I saw how quickly they came under control, how quickly I lost weight, and how much my body changed, I knew I had to make this my way of life-because it is all about life, you know, and what kind of life you want to live. I didn't kick cancer's ass just to get knocked down by a freakin slice of bread.

LISA'S COMMENTS REGARDING THE TYPE 2 SUPPORT GROUP

Friends...I urge all of you to eat to your meter. Do not put it off and tell yourself "I will start tomorrow" I used that vary statement for almost 5 years after I found out I was diabetic. Although I have been taking better care of myself for the past 4 months, the damage it caused by not doing so sooner is showing its ugly face. 
I have been dealing with diverticulitis the past two weeks that is taking longer to recover from because I ignored that too for two months. I am dealing with a couple other health issues along with it. All these problems are taking longer to heal and deal with due to my sugars being too high for too long.
The Admis to this group may seem a little strict at times but it is only because they have witnessed what this awful disease can do to our bodies.
When I first joined this group I would get so aggravated because they deleted post where people were talking about cheating on their diet or showing pics of food that we all know we shouldn't be eating. I would think to myself...geez, we are only human!! 
I no longer get aggravated with the admis deleting such post, it now breaks my heart seeing others being as stubborn as I was. My attitude was..."I am grown, no one is gonna tell me what I can or cannot do!" That is a load of crap because eventually our bodies are gonna do just that!!! I cannot cheat on my diet because one day leads to two and so on, and before I know it a month has went by and I'm asking myself, " how in the hell did I end up here again?" It is not worth it. I encourage all fellow diabetics to stop using excuses....starting tomorrow is not good enough, you must start now! 
Sorry for the long post, I think I mainly wrote it because I needed to see it and hear it for myself. 
Thank you to all the Admis for the time and energy you put into this page. Some of us may be stubborn and resistant to change, but you never know when the seed has been planted. Thanks for listening!

PENNY's STORY

To the Admins, thank you for all you do to educate and assist all the members in caring for themselves with their diabetes. I would like to tell my story in hopes if helping at least one person. I was diagnosed in 1999 with diabetes and told I would be controlling it with diet and medication. The following year I had to have stents put in my legs because of PAD (secondary to diabetes). While the doctor was going through my arteries he checked my heart and found five block...ages that could not be stented. Nine days later I had a heart bypass surgery. I was placed on insulin shots at this time. My bs were hard to control, but I struggled with it and in 2009 I became very ill and had to give up work. My liver was diseased with nonalcohol cirrhosis and my kidneys were in distress. My stomach would fill up with fluid and every week I had eleven liters of fluid removed. In August 2010 my kidneys quit and I went on dialysis which didn't agree with me. I got sick every time I went. My nephrologist worked very hard to get me on the organ transplant list and one day he said I was on the list, but in the next breath told me I had thyroid cancer (which took me back off the list for 3-5 years. Two hours before surgery to remove my thyroid the doctor told met surgery was canceled and I needed to get back on the transplant list. It was touch and go since I was given only a 20% chance to live six months. The next day I got back on the list and ten days later I had a new liver and kidney. God bless organ donors. I have to take immune suppressant medications and am restricted pretty much to home. Crowds could be dangerous and I could again find myself hospitalized. Hoping this would be enough, not a chance. I developed neuropathy in my legs, sciatica and spinal stenosis. In 2011 I had a heart attack and now have a pacemaker. I have the start if COPD. And as if that is not enough, I have had seven trigger fingers released. I constantly need to be aware of my bs, especially now because a high could mean I'm going into rejection of one or both of my organs. This is a small list compared to the devastation diabetes can have. I hope this helps at least one person realize the seriousness of diabetes. Actually, I hope and pray everyone will take this dreaded and damaging disease to heart and do what is necessary to keep it under control. There is no cure, just control. Thank you for allowing me to tell my story.

JASON'S STORY

Hello Everyone. I just joined this group last week and I can't tell you all enough how much I love it. I have struggled with my diabetes for 5 years and have never gotten a handle on my numbers. I have not been exercising. I barely changed my eating habits, and have been very inconsistent with taking my meds. I am 40 years old and I have High BP, slightly high cholesterol, Type 2 Diabetes, and Atrial Fibrillation. I am a walking stroke waiting to happen, among other thin...gs. That was before. I can't believe how much motivation I get from seeing your posts every day. Even just the morning roll call motivates me. I have been taking my meds regularly, eating healthier(today i started counting carbs and keeping a log), and plan to get some regular exercise. I know I can't beat this disease but I'm going to control it from now on. Today is the first day in a long time that my numbers were BELOW 140 every time I tested. Thank You for the inspiration.

DEBRA'S STORY

Hello everyone. Thank you for approving my "membership" here. My name is Debbie. I have been Type 2 since 2011. I weighed 236 and managed pretty well for a while. My A1C was a steady 6.5 so I was good. Eventually, I stopped checking my BS and thought I was eating okay. Fast forward to Jan 2014. I was feeling pretty bad one night and checked my BS. 469. I was scared. I called my doc the next day for an appointment. My A1C was 8.5 - the worst I've been. I immediately started a low-carb diet. As of May, I have lost down to 185. For the past 3 months I have been playing around with the same 5 pounds but I've been sick with sinus infections and summer colds all summer. In May, I had my lab work re-checked. My triglycerides which were 387 in Jan are down to 150. My good cholesterol is 60 - it was 20 in Jan - and my total cholesterol is 163. My A1C....is 5.5!! While I am struggling this summer, I know I am better able to control my cravings by not eating the harmful carbs associated with higher BS levels. I no longer view food as a crutch for emotions but rather a source of energy or sometimes, just something to make the hunger go away. I am healthier than I have been in a long time. I still have a goal to reach of 140lbs of which I will reassess when I get closer. I might find comfort at 150 - who knows. I hope my story can be an inspiration to others as I know others will inspire me to continue moving forward.

• , pray and find what works for you. I bought Atkins frozen dinners, meal bars and dark chocolate shakes. I spent a lot of money on those for the first 3 months. I ate eggs for bfast (sometimes using egg substitute for omelets) and bfast meats. I didn't worry about fat content at first. I was only focused on NOT eating the carbs. Initially, I ate 1800 cals a day with 20 carbs per day. I drank a butt load of water. I ate 1 frozen dinner for lunch and sometimes another meal bar for snack. I ate meat and veggies for dinner. I did this for 3 months until I felt I didn't have to use so many atkins products. I have returned to the shakes and bars since I am trying to refocus my efforts. I have decided to "go back to the basics". My short term goal is always the next level - I need to get under 180 - then I need to get to 175, then under 170 - etc. 5 lbs at a time. If you mess up, who cares? Dont beat yourself up, just start again with the next meal. This is a life journey. We don't really mess up, we simply test ourselves until we learn what works and what doesn't. We are all different so work with your body to learn what works best for you. You CAN do this if you WANT to do it. Blessings.

Debra is a member of the type 2 diabetes weight loss group

MICHAEL'S COMMENT ON LCHF

What is the best diet for diabetes? I'm sure many of you think I'm going to say LCHF, since that's what I promote the most. Why do I do that?
Because that's what has worked for me. But I do believe there is more than one way to skin a cat. I've said it before, and I'll say it again, the best diet for you as a diabetic is one that meets the following two criteria: 1) It helps you to maintain normal blood sugar numbers (70-99 fasting, 70-140 at all other times), and 2) one tha...t you can make into a long-term lifestyle. It has to be a lifestyle change or it won't matter. If you're diet meets these two criteria, then I'm all for it!

The main goal of your diet and exercise program should be to get your blood sugar numbers under control. That is my wish for you ... by any means necessary. Does this mean that I support a higher carbohydrate diet (150 grams/ day or more) if it requires the diabetic to take oral meds and insulin? Not really, but I'd rather see you have control over your blood sugar than not. That being said, if you're taking meds and insulin and you seem to be stuck on the blood sugar rollercoaster, consider your diet. If you aren't getting the results you want, it may be time to try something else.

STACEY'S STORY

Just kinda wanted to share my story to maybe be a wake up call for anyone that may need it...... I was diagnosed with type 2 at age 28. For the past 6 yrs I have had uncontrolled diabetes in the high 600+. In 2013 at age 33 I married and became pregnant with my first child in January of 2014. We were so excited. At 22 weeks we went to find out the sex of our baby and were told he had a brain condition called holoprosencephaly. Likely caused by my out of control sugar levels.... We were told he wouldn't survive and if he live for any length of tine he wouldn't be able to function. Our baby was born a week later and died mins after. This condition happened in the first 3 to 4 weeks of conception when I had no clue I had even conceived nor was I trying. This is by far the worst thing Ive ever had to endure and knowing it was preventable by me taking care of myself is even worse. Im not looking for sympathy I just want people to know diabetes affects more than just the person with the condition. Take care of yourself people.

JOYCE-HER THOUGHTS ON LCHF LIFESTYLE

MY THOUGHTS ON THE LCHF LIFESTYLE:
Understand the Physiology Behind Low Carb Diet/Lifestyle
I've noticed that a lot of people in the group showing concern about this I call "lifestyle" not "diet" because I feel diets don't work and don't last. But when it's a lifestyle that means this is apart of your life and it is what it is. This is just my thoughts on this way of eating. Many low carb dieters stall at three weeks into their diets. This is because at the three week point y...our metabolism adapts to the high fat low carb diet you've been eating and becomes far more efficient in burning fat.(Technically what happens is that muscles switch from using ketones to burning free fatty acids.) Your body also has made some changes that allow the brain to use more ketones. This, in turn, reduces the amount of carbohydrate needed to run the brain.

If you have been eating a very high protein input much of that excess protein has been turning into carbohydrate. This is because 58% of ALL the dietary protein you eat that is not needed to repair muscle is converted into carbohydrate. The process takes many hours--often up to 7 hours after you eat, but once it is converted, the carbohydrate made out of protein raises your blood sugar and requires insulin for processing just like any other carbohydrate.
For the first couple weeks your body needs about 110 grams of carbohydrate to fuel the brain, but after the changes that occur around three weeks into your low carb diet, that amount drops dramatically. You can now get by with 50-60 grams of carb for your brain and that means that excess carbohydrate that comes from protein now raises your blood sugar instead of getting burnt. I've lost 105 lbs on this lifestyle in 11 months of being diagnosed, with finally being taken off insulin. It was the best choose l could've made in taking control of my health and this disease.

SCOTT'S STORY

In the end of September I was drinking lots of water and cramping a lot at night, so I was planning on going to the doctor the next day. I got up to go to work and I knew something wasn't right, so I drove to work which is one hour away from me and when I got there, I said, "can someone take me to the ER." That's when it all started. My blood sugar was 530 and my A1C was 11.5. I really didn't eat much for like a month, but I went to class and read a lot of stuff on the net. That's when the weight started coming off. I still eat almost everything now, but I watch how much I eat now. I weighed 280; now I am at 225.  My goal is 200. No snacks and no regular soda. I lost 55 pounds in 4 months. Went from 11.5 A1C in October 2013. Now at 5.6

JOYCE'S STORY

I don't mean to keep mentioning what I've been through but it's just my way of hoping to help someone else in this struggle. Today is my first year being a "person with diabetes". My journey started in 2011 when I was told I was "pre diabetic"and I didn't have to be on insulin, and that all I had to do was watch my diet, exercise and monitor my BG. I did well for a while but then became complacent and stopped doing it all. In 2013, I became very ill, was drinking tons of water back to back and literally running to the restroom. I knew something wasn't right and I went to the ER and was told then that I'd made it to the ER in time because I was going into "diabetic coma". My a1c was 28.2 and BG was 650 (mg/dl). I was hospitalized and was put on Metformin which didn't work. Was back in the ER hospitalized and put on Glipizide which didn't work either. I was finally put on insulin and soon over the months my numbers started going down from 420-350-200. When I joined this group less than 7 months ago, I learned so much through research and what members of this group have gone through. My BG and A1c was still decreasing. Finally I learned about the LCHF diet although I choose to call it a "lifestyle". Then one day my doctor and Endocrinologist decide to take me off insulin in July after being on it only 11 months. I'm now meds free with an A1c of 4.8 and BG 90-108. Weight went from 265-160, all done by committed diet and exercise. So I encouraged all who's struggling to fight this assassin DIABETES, and those who still won't take this illness serious. Especially those who feel like giving up...you can do this! because the strength that brought you this far will carry you the rest of the way. Thank you for your time.

MELISSA'S COMMENTS

I have to start off by saying this group has helped me in ways I could never imagine. I want to thank each and everyone of you for all the support, questions posted and answers given. I have learned more in the past 2 months then I had known in the 10 years my father had diabetes. With that being said, I was diagnosed pre-diabetic in Feb, but did not do anything. In June I received a wake up call with BS numbers in the 500 range and the rest of the blood work through the roof!! I am happy to announce that this week, I am down 53lbs from Feb, BS was 94 before eating or taking meds (and 3 hours after I woke up). I am at a weight that I have not seen in over 7 years, and the Dr. said I may be able to be off the meds by Christmas. And the best news of it all, is that I can safely start trying to have a family!!!

SHERRI'S STORY

, thought I would forward what worked for me in the beginning. I am not a Dr. by any means but I followed this religiously. Have lost a total of 32 pounds from my highest weight. I get my A1C tested the end of this month. I am excited.
This was the break down of what the nutritionist in the hospital gave me. It was my first information and I stuck to it like it was the Bible for over a month. I started doing my research and was able to add foods and exchange foods.... I weighed 190, had a 6.8 A1C, my liver enzymes were off, my sodium was low, cholesterol was high, triglycerides high. After 1 month I had my liver enzymes down and sodium up. My blood pressure was on it's way down. I had given up salt when my blood pressure was up. That was self induced on the sodium.

Breakfast
Grains, Beans & Starchy veggies 30g carbs 2g fat 160 calories
Fruits 15g carbs 120 calories
Meat & Meat substitutes 7g protein 8g fat 45-100 calories
Added fats 5g fat 45 calories
Lunch
Grains, Beans & Starchy veggies 30g carbs 2g fat 160 calories
Fruits 15g carbs 120 calories
Nonstarchy vegetables 10g carbs 25-50 calories
Meat & Meat substitutes 14g carbs 16g fat 90-200 calories
Added fats 5g fat 45 calories
Dinner
Grains, Beans & Starchy veggies 30g carbs 2g fat 160 calories
Fruits 15g carbs 120 calories
Nonstarchy vegetables 10g carbs 25-50 calories
Meat & Meat substitutes 21g protein 0-24g fat 135-300 calories
Added fats 10g fat 90 calories
This is pretty restrictive but I followed it to a tee in the beginning because I didn't have any other information or instructions. It worked really well for me. I did find that by eating the quantity of each type of food satisfied my appetite.

GEORGE'S COMMENT

Just have to brag a little over the course of the last three years have lost 118 pounds and am keeping it off. High protein low carb diet. My diet has changed drastically my A1C is down to 6.7. If I can do this everyone can

TAMARA'S STORY

had my three month check up this morning my A1C went down from 9.7 to 5.4. . Was taken off the glipizide and lowered my lantus I am very pleased with this. Been on real strict diet low carb only eating anywhere from 30 to 40 carbs per day. Was a little upset (sad:() that I have not dropped much weight only down 13 lbs but guess thats ok at least my bs# are down.I eat lots of veggies and meat... no bread potatoes or pasta or rice in 4 months... some days are harder than others and every now then I will treat myself to some french fires my favortie but eat less than a serving size then

A NOTE FROM MICHAEL

This is a great support group and I think it is great that there is so much participation these days. It's awesome. The thing is, don't believe everything you read. Admins aren't on all the time and there is a ton of info posted here every day. If it sounds too good to be true, you can bet it probably is. You can get your diabetes under control, but there is no magic pill, no magic drink, no magic potion to make it happen. It takes hard work, a focus on diet and exercise, and meds as needed. Many people here have been able to get off of meds by focusing on diet and exercise (I'm hoping to join them one day soon!).

So, please, take everything you read here with a grain of salt. Remember, none of us are doctors and there is no one here who can diagnose your problems over the computer - even if they are a doctor! And if you have factual information to present to others, then do it, and post links to your research or sites where you got the info. I don't think anyone here is an expert, and we're all open to new information. But let's make sure the info is real and not hype.

Thanks for letting me ramble. 

MICHAEL TALKS ABOUT THE KETOGENIC DIET

Michael  Ketogenic diet, on the other hand, is all about getting your body into ketosis, which most people can do with less than 50 grams a day of carbs. Ketogenic and ketosis simply means that we turn our bodies into fat burning mechanisms instead of using carbs for fuel. This helps those of us that need to lose weight as an added benefit. Blood sugar control on a ketogenic diet is nothing short of amazing. Hope this helps. Anyone else ... feel free to chime in! 

MICHAEL'S TALKS ABOUT THE PALEO DIET

Michael  Think of paleo as more "pre-farming" diet. It's supposed to be what our ancestors ate in the paleolithic era. So there's lots of meat ... which is why it's good for us. Foods like some roots and nuts, berries are included from the "gatherer" portion of the hunter/gatherer society. So, it's not really about carbs or ketosis, but rather getting back to basics, before farming and cultivation of land. This lends itself well to us as diabetics, as long as we watch the starches.

SARA'S STORY ABOUT HER MOTHER

Ok....I have a confession to make. I am not diabetic (yet, or that I know of). But I wanted to be here because diabetes runs rampant in my family...my most recent loss (several years now) to the disease being my mother, at the age of 60. She took so many meds, she needed a dispenser to keep them organized...meds to help with the meds that caused problems...on, and on, and on...She was an elementary school teacher...concocted the flu. Couldn't keep meds or food down for 3 or 4 days. My father wanted to bring her to the doctors, but she refused...saying she was feeling better...never wanting to be a "burden". That day, she was found on the kitchen floor, in a coma in a state of Diabetic Acidosis....her blood sugars were in the 1400's. Her organs and blood were literally turning into acid and shutting down. I spent two weeks watching her...looking for any signs of a come back. A move. A twitch. Eye contact...something....but there was nothing. Nothing but the machine filling her lungs with artificially earned air. She waited until the last of her five children made it to the room, and we all watched as she let go....as the line went flat on her monitor. Not being able to do anything about it. I am here because, I WANT to be able to do something about it. I want to be able to support others. To prevent my own fate with this disease. To help others out of their state of hopelessness....I am here to support, listen and encourage others, while educating myself. I can't relate to your daily struggles, but I can relate to the effects Diabetes has on families, the community and the world. I don't know many of you...but I hope to. Prayers for health and happiness...

COMMENT BY BETSY

 I almost died from a massive heart attack but they determined it was caused by diabetes being out of control, last year a good friend of mine died from kidney failure, bought on by diabetes, same thing with my Uncle years ago, my poor Uncle diabetes took him slowly and piece by piece, first it took his eye sight, then one foot, then a leg then the other leg, then came kidney failure, hope that clears things up.

DANNY'S STORY

I just joined this group and wanted to say hi. I'm a type 1 diabetic juvenile diabetes almost 20 years of fighting sugar issues. Most of the issues we have type 1 & 2 have same problems with eating right and exercise. One thing I need to do myself take my own advise. I just recently got out of the hospital for the 5 times going into a diabetic coma sugar running @ 1140. My grandmother told me when I was diagnos with it , not to think it was the end of the world that it is a part of my life for now on and able to a happy life. But being hard head still today its hard I'm 36 years old and having people with similar issues to talk with might help me be on this earth a little longer and hope to help you all cope with some of the complication with diabetes.I have neuropathy issues bad knees to my toes. Very fortunately I have kept a close eye on my feet and had some problems with my toes. Best thing to do is some kind of walking and moving around to help your blood flow cause if not the pain is so painful and if you smoke like I do it blocks blood flow to your legs and feet. And one other thing skin issues with diabetes,if you keep your sugar regulated close to normal And taking vitamins to get some nutrition thats hard to get from food we dont suppose to have will help with these sores and bumps we get on our skin and helps heal cuts and scraps we get on a daily base fast. Thanks for letting me share and hopefully this will help one of you. I wish I'd listened to my doctor when I was 17. Yes I'm still up and walking around and don't look like I have any health problems but I try so hard not to show the pain and agony I'm in everyday. Father of 3 and my wife sometimes I feel like a burden so I keep it to myself a lot of times. This picture was from memorial day weekend. Again you don't want to be there and thanks again for listening.

MELISSA'S STORY

I was mistakenly diagnosed with gestational diabetes in 2006 while pregnant with my first child. Soon afterwards, it became clear that I had type 2. I have let my diabetes go unchecked since 2009. I decided last week that I need to get serious about this disease. After watching my mother ( diabetic for 40+ years) pass away last year from complications from diabetes, watching her health decline for a long time, it really hit home that I do not want to suffer as she did. I have... made an appointment with my doctor for Wednesday to get the medication I need. For 4 days now, I have cut out sweets, checked my sugar regularly, and drank more water. I am so glad I found this group, because it's really hard for me to stick to my goals and watch what I eat. I am very proud of my progress these last few days, and really could use all the support I can get to continue this journey!

JIM'S COMMENT

What's on my mind, eh? Well let's see.......I let an infection go in my left foot last March (I have neurapathy in my feet). Well, infection went up to my groin. So I went to ER. Thought I was going to get a shot and antibiotic. Well, 14 days in hospital ..IVs. And on April 1st, lost my left big toe and part of my foot. (doctors kept threatening with leg amputation). Now, going on 15 months later of wound vac, wraps, total contact casts (3)..foot just healed and hopefully thi...s coming week get my special shoe. I see a chiropractor, councelor (shrink), wound doctor, diabetes doctor...And thoughtful neighbors & Church. There isn't an issue I haven't stressed over...Anyone out there with similar issues, minor amputations (if there is such a thing), diabetes, insulin, diabetic diet, stress, poo-pooh party, etc. and need to share, please by all means drop a line. Maybe my issues can help yours. drop a line...

CAROL'S COMMENT

Sitting here waiting for them to "pull the plug"on my friend who had multiple strokes,etc from diabetes. HEART wrenching to see her family,especially her daughters. I wish I had 1 day for each time she "cheated"just a little...laughed and said"Well ive been good all week,I can eat one small sliver of cake,etc" Its a disease people.......is one piece of cake worth what her family is going through? We have the power to heal alot of type 2 and we just laugh/shrug it off....I bet Nora wished she could take it back. Heart broken — feeling sad.