Re: Diabetes and eating

June 10, 2006

"Well, I am really frustrated with myself. I say I am going back to the way the Diabetic Clinic taught me to eat and what do I do?"

Hi ,

I am new to this group. I am a diabetic. I lost over 100 lbs and kept it off for 5 years and then gained it back plus more. Yuck.

I can only say that it is very frustrating as you and others know.

I believe that it is a mind set type thing.

We have to choose a good life style and learn not to wonder why other people can eat anything and everything and now be placed in the position that we find ourselves in. For what ever reason, the healthy and good life style we choose for ourselves has to be one of healthy choices.

For the past 4 months I have not deviated from those choices and I have only lost 6 pounds. I have cut my calorie intake way back and I carefully watch it, but the weight loss tells me that what I am doing is not enough. (It is disgusting and discouraging but can be overcome)

More recently I have become physically disabled and am very limited to exercise, but that can not be an excuse. People are very creative individuals and we must continue to try to solve issues at hand so that we can enjoy the healthy life style we have selected for ourselves.

One thing that you might consider at Mc's is getting a hamburger and just eating it in an open face manner with one piece of bread the meat and pickle, lettuce, tomato or what ever you like. Then you can feel great about yourself and the choices that you made.

I have a TV in my kitchen as well as in other rooms, but I have found that in the kitchen I can stand at the sink, which faces onto a road with people going by and I can see the television at the same time, and I can walk or march in place while supporting myself with my arms on the sink. I am 5'5" and this height works for me. Like you, I do not like the outdoor heat. But my exercising inside while watching outside activities at the kitchen window and TV it makes the time go much faster. If I go outside, walking must be done with my walker which also has a seat on it, so I can stop and sit ever so often.

I can do other exercises at the sink area. Leg raises, backwards kicks, etc.

I can only stand for about 3-5 minutes when my body is not supported in some manner, so I have learned to adopt this form of exercise.

I am not suggesting that you adopt this for yourself, but if you analyze what your likes and dislikes are, perhaps you can come up with a plan that will work for you. And the nice thing is that you can always start with small time increments and work up to long time intervals.

I do want to offer you words of encouragement.

For a while I felt that I was being punished because I can not successful eat the things that I like. Ice cream, cakes, cookies, larger portions of food, etc. I am learning not to miss them and not to feel deprived and I am very thankful for that occurrence.

Now I am beginning to recognize that my healthy food choices that I choose to make are for me because I have elected to make healthy choices my life style.

Hang in there.

Jane

June 10, 2006

OK. WARNING! - this is going to be a very 'Tough Love' message - but only

because that

seems like what you're asking for. If you're not - then please pass this by! If

anyone is

upset by this message, my apologies - but the warning is up front!

I will, however, give you the short of it if you're not in the mood for

tough-love. Next time

you feel like going to Mc's, take a gander at this:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/

Gangrene (Warning, not for the easily nauseated, as I'm sure you can guess).

>

> Hi there friends,

>

> I think part of my problem is that my last big blood test at the doctors came

back way

under the diabetic limit. So I feel like I don't have diabetes. There for I

can eat anything I

want and not have to worry about diabetes at all. Mind you it came that way

because I was

eating the way the diabetic clinic taught me to eat, but for some reason I have

this frame

of mind that I can eat anything and that I am not diabetic.

, there is no 'cure' for diabetes. There is no 'reversal' of diabetes as so

many snakeoil

salesman try to say. There is only strict maintenance of good blood sugars -

managed

through proper eating and adherance to medications. You will ALWAYS be diabetic

- and

the moment you allow yourself to think that you aren't, you're heading for

trouble.

> So last night I wasn't that hungry, but my husband wanted to go to Mcs

for

dinner.

First - why did your husband want to go to Mc's? Why isn't he supporting

you

more? The ONLY way that you can make successful changes are if your family

supports

you - and trying (and in this case, succeeding in) to drag you off to Mcs

is NOT

helpful! He has to play his role in this, too.

I really didn't want to go there because we eat there all the time and I am

getting tired of

it.

Stop. STOP NOW. Mc's is not your friend. Mc's isn't even real food.

Well, any way, I ended up with a Big Mac, medium fries, vanilla shake and an

apple pie,

and I wasn't even hungry. After I ate it all, I looked at my husband and said I

really

shouldn't have eaten that. Why is it I don't realize until after I eat

something that I

shouldn't eat something?

Big Mac: 560 calories, 30g of fat (10g saturated), 47g of carbohydrates

Medium Fries: 380 calories, 20g of fat (4g saturated), 47g of carbohydrates

Vanilla Shake (Medium): 550 calories, 10g fat (6g saturated) 128g of

carbohydrates

Apple Pie: 250 calories, 11g fat (3g saturated) 34g of carbohydrates.

So, in total: 1740 calories, 71g of fat (21g saturated) and 256g of

carbohydrates.

Did you test your blood sugar after this meal? What about the next morning? Was

it

surprisingly high?

> How do I get my mind into the frame of mind I had before that got me to really

start

trying to eat right? I was scared into it at first.

Try looking at this, next time your husband suggests going to Mcs. If

nothing else,

you won't want to eat *at all*, let alone something high-carb.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gangrene

I was scared when they told me I had diabetes, so I took it so seriously and

did

everything that the diabetes clinic told me to do. I was losing weight with

doing that.

Then I had my last doctors visit and he told me to not do what the clinic told

me to do and

on top of that my blood sugar test came back like I wasn't diabetic. So now I

have this

thing in my head that says, " I am not diabetic at all. I can eat anything.

Those test before

were just wrong for some reason. "

No, they weren't. You were doing what you needed to bring them down. Just like

less

calories = weightloss, better eating = lower Hba1C.

> So now I am eating anything at all I want at the time. I think it is because

I am not

scared any more. I feel like now I don't have to worry about diabetes at all.

I still take my

at home blood sugar test once a week. It seems to always be good. I take it of

a morning.

I guess what I should do is take it some time after I eat to really see what

this eating is

doing to me. I am just not scared any more and there for not trying nearly as

hard to

follow the way they taught me to eat.

, once a week is NOT enough. Get your doctor to prescribe you as many

strips as

your insurance will cover. I test up to 250 times a month. Yes, you read that

right.

1 time when I first wake

1 time right before breakfast if there's a significant lag time.

1 and 2 hours after each meal

1 time just before bed.

How else are you going to know how that McDonals meal effected you? You want

another

'reminder'? Go to Mcs - do it again. Then test 1 hour after you eat there.

Then test

2 hours. I bet even at 3 hours you'd still be flying high up in the 200 range.

>

> I am not losing weight any more. I am having the hardest time exercising. It

is so hot

outside. I can't exercise outside any more. I think it might make it up to 100

today.

Icky!!! I absolutely hate being hot. I am hot a lot inside my apartment too,

because I need

to keep the temp up as much as I can stand it to save on my electric bill. So I

am really

having a hard time trying to get myself to exercise.

>

> Wow, this is a long one. Sorry! I will stop now even though I have more to

say.

, I'm in Texas - and yes, it's hot out. I go walking early in the morning

or late at

night, when the sun isn't up. If you don't feel safe - make your husband go with

you. If

he's eating at Mc's he can use the exercise, too.

Does your apartment have a workout room? Most do. USE IT.

Does your apartment have a pool? Most do. USE IT.

> from MO.

SulaBlue

Who is now putting down the Drill Sergeant Hat.

June 10, 2006

> OK. WARNING! - this is going to be a very 'Tough Love' message -

I did need this. What a wake up call.

You will ALWAYS be diabetic - and

> the moment you allow yourself to think that you aren't, you're

heading for trouble.

The diabetic clinic told me I would always be diabetic too. I guess

I just didn't want to believe that.

> First - why did your husband want to go to Mc's? Why isn't

he supporting you

> more?

He is supporting me. He doesn't understand that the food I was

eating was not helping me. When I told him that what I had just

eaten was not good for me, he said, " Well, at least the apple pie is

healthy. " So you see he just doesn't understand. He really doesn't

know what makes things healthy and what doesn't. He went with me to

the diabetic clinic when they were teaching me stuff, but I don't

know how much he really learned from it, how much he understood.

has CP, but it is really not that bad. It affects his right

arm and he has a little bit of a learning disorder. Other then that

he is pretty healthy. He is getting heavier then he used to be, and

I am afriad that is my fault. He wasn't a little over weight until

after we got married.

The ONLY way that you can make successful changes are if your family

supports He has to play his role in this, too.

I think maybe he just doesn't know how serious this is. Just like I

wasn't thinking any more how serious this is. I am thinking about

showing him that website you posted. It was a wake up call for me

and it might be a wake up call for him too. I know he doesn't want

me to lose my toes.

I also remember a commercial that used to be on about diabetes where

a guy went blind because he didn't take his meds and he didn't eat

right. Well, I'm not on any meds for diabetes. I am supposed to

keep it under control by what I eat. I hadn't thought of that

commercial in quite a while.

> Stop. STOP NOW. Mc's is not your friend. Mc's isn't

even real food.

I think I could eat at Mcs if I ate the salads. I don't think

it would be fair to my husband to say we can never eat there again.

>

> So, in total: 1740 calories, 71g of fat (21g saturated) and 256g

of carbohydrates.

Wow, that is an eye opener. I didn't know it would be that much.

256 carbs? Really? Maybe that was why I was feeling the way I did

last night. It wasn't a good feeling.

>

> Did you test your blood sugar after this meal? What about the next

morning? Was it

> surprisingly high?

I get enough strips to take my blood sugar twice a day. I just

haven't done that any more, because they told me I could stop doing

that. Maybe I will at least for awhile start testing again twice a

day. See what happens.

>

> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gangrene

I remember them saying that things like that could happen, but for

some reason I didn't think it could apply to me. I put that site in

my favorites so that when I am thinking about eating ice cream or

something like that I can go to that website and that should do the

trick of turning me off that food. In fact I might just print off

that page and have it where I can see it and my husband can see it

so I know what I am really working for. Again thank you for posting

that website.

> No, they weren't. You were doing what you needed to bring them

down. Just like less

> calories = weightloss, better eating = lower Hba1C.

I wonder what my Hba1C would be now if I took the test. I haven't

been eating right for a while now. I say I try, but every couple of

days I eat really bad it seems. My next appointment isn't until

October. I will probably have to have one of those test then. The

weightloss is great when I eat right, but losing toes or going blind

is more important to me then just weightloss. Again thank you for

sharing that website. It grossed me out enough to stop me and make

me think. This could be me if I don't get things back under control.

> , once a week is NOT enough. Get your doctor to prescribe you

as many strips as

> your insurance will cover. I test up to 250 times a month. Yes,

you read that right.

I don't know if the doctor will write a perscription for more

strips. I get enough now for twice a day, although I haven't done

that in a long time, because they told me I could just do it once a

week. I will go back to checking it twice a day and see how things

go.

> >

> Does your apartment have a workout room? Most do. USE IT.

> Does your apartment have a pool? Most do. USE IT.

Yes my apartment has a workout room. It has a tredmill and a bike

and some other gadget thing. I forgot what it is called. Then it

has some weights. In the winter and I would walk over there

and I would use it. Don't know why I haven't thought of using it

lately. We also have a pool. A small pool at that, but it is

closed. Don't know why. It has been closed for a few weeks now.

Something must be wrong with it. The other thing I like to do is go

to the mall and walk. I have done it a couple of times in the last

few weeks. Thankfully the mall is air conditioned. Maybe my

husband and I can go to the mall some times and on other times go to

the work out room. That is a good idea. I get bored on the tredmill

though. I wish they had a TV in there. I tried a book on tape, but

it was boring too. I might just have to listen to music instead.

> SulaBlue

> Who is now putting down the Drill Sergeant Hat.

>

Thank you for puttin on the Drill Sergeant Hat in the first place.

I needed the wake up call. I really don't want to lose my toes.

from MO.

June 10, 2006

So I feel like I don't have diabetes. There for I can eat anything I want and not have to worry about diabetes at all. Mind you it came that way because I was eating the way the diabetic clinic taught me to eat, but for some reason I have this frame of mind that I can eat anything and that I am not diabetic., You are on a track of trouble if you believe that. Thats is exactly what my mother-in-law said and she had a stroke not too long after going back to eating whatever she wanted. Be careful.

So last night I wasn't that hungry, but my husband wanted to go to Mcs for dinner. I really didn't want to go there because we eat there all the time and I am getting tired of it. Why don't you restraunt hop? You can go one place get what you want. He goes where he wants and get what he wants. Then go home and eat together. Just because he goes one place dosent mean you have to. But on a note....there is nothing wrong with going to Mcdonalds. What is wrong is what you chose. Just order a chicken sandwich and a diet coke or even a cheeseburger and a diet coke. Both are acceptable to someone on a diet. But when you start adding the pies and fries those calories are gonna skyrocket. He wanted to go so we went. You cannot live your life the way your hubby does. He may have better metabolism or any number of things. I have been meaning to ask....is he overweight also? If not now he might be heading down that road. He may be in the position you are in right now in 4 years. Instead of getting a salad like I should have. (By the way I really don't like that Asian Salad they have. I think it was the dressing that made it taste bad to me.) Well, any way, I ended up with a Big Mac,See...go smaller.just order a regular burger or chicken sandwich. Big Macs are huge. medium fries, leave fries completely. A sandwich and diet coke really is a whole meal by itself. And if you ever do "treat yourself" to fries make it a small one.vanilla shakeNot for a meal! Diet coke or water is best. and an apple pie,once again.....leave it. go home and have some air popped popcorn. and I wasn't even hungry. Kids meals are a ideal thing to order if you want the whole package. But don't do that every night. Always think of yourself as a small child. Would you go and get a 5 year old a big mac? Order small. Restraunts always give you larger then portion size foods. After I ate it all, I looked at my husband and said I really shouldn't have eaten that. Why is it I don't realize until after I eat something that I shouldn't eat something? I believe it is habit. It seems you guys eat at Mcdonalds a lot or go out for quick snacks and drinks. Go to the Mcdonalds website and look at their nutritional values. Make you a list of foods that are under 500 calories and never order anything that isn't on your list. And add your totals for all your foods. If you had a sandwich that was lets say 450 calories well you know you cannot afford to grab another side with another 400 calories.Ask hubby to do this with you. If he feels it is unfair then you just have to do it by yourself. You cannot adjust your eating habits to make someone else happy. If he wants the largest meal there. Fine...you can't stop him but you can control what you get for yourself.

How do I get my mind into the frame of mind I had before that got me to really start trying to eat right? I don't know. I wish I knew what to tell you. I was scared into it at first. I was scared when they told me I had diabetes, so I took it so seriously and did everything that the diabetes clinic told me to do. I was losing weight with doing that. Do you really want to lose weight? I mean sit down and ask yourself what is more important to you....your health and weight or being able to continue to eat those big macs when a regular burger taste just as good.

I am not losing weight any more. I am having the hardest time exercising. It is so hot outside. yes it is and all this weight we are packing is making us twice as hot as we should be. We have to lose this weight!! I can't exercise outside any more. Yes you can!!!! just because it is hot does not mean you cannot exercise. Sweating is good. Just drink more water. If you don't like that sun pack a umbrella. Have you ever really exercised and not sweated?I think it might make it up to 100 today. Icky!!!100 is very hot! Just don't overdo. Walk 1/2 the way around then sit down and rest and cool with your jug of icewater or even 1/4 of the way and rest. And if you just do not want to go outside stay in your apartment and do one of your videos. You can always jump in and take a cold shower when you are done. I absolutely hate being hot. I do too. Believe me!! I am hot a lot inside my apartment too, because I need to keep the temp up as much as I can stand it to save on my electric bill. It has been miserable here.I got up and did my exercise as soon as I woke up today to beat the afternoon heat.So I am really having a hard time trying to get myself to exercise., I do too. I can sit here and freely give out advise because i know just like you do that it is what we should be doing but I also have a hard time doing some of these things too at times. But you really do have to play hard ball at times with yourself in order to succeed. I sometimes give in completely and eat what I want but for the most part we have to try and make sure that don't happen often. I have eaten at Mcdonalds several time and also taco bells lately. Just please remember to go small. We can do this together!

June 10, 2006

>

> I get no support at home, other than my brother screaming at the top

of his lungs at me that I'm obese and no one will ever accept me as

long as I am. I'm still determined to succeed. I have you guys and I

have .

>

Sorry to hear that Sapphyre. I hope that we can be a help to you

here. There seems to always be someone here to give support out. I

am glad you are still determined to succeed. With that attitude, you

will succeed.

from MO.

June 10, 2006

>, You are on a track of trouble if you believe that. Thats is

exactly what my mother-in-law said and she had a stroke not too long

after going back to eating whatever she wanted. Be careful.

I really don't want to end up with a stroke that is for sure. I

really need to wake up and smell reality.

> I have been meaning to ask....is he overweight also?

He is about 10 pounds overweight now. Before we married he was at a

normal weight. So I feel like it is my fault that he is gaining.

Always think of yourself as a small child. Would you go and get a 5

year old a big mac? Order small.

I hadn't thought of that before. That might just be a great idea.

To try and think of myself as a small child and order that way.

Thanks for the idea. I bet that will work better for me.

Go to the Mcdonalds website and look at their nutritional values.

Make you a list of foods that are under 500 calories and never order

anything that isn't on your list. And add your totals for all your

foods. If you had a sandwich that was lets say 450 calories well you

know you cannot afford to grab another side with another 400

calories.

That is a good idea. I think tomorrow (I'm tired tonight) I will do

that and go to the website. Maybe I can keep that info in my purse

at all times for when I am out.

Do you really want to lose weight? I mean sit down and ask yourself

what is more important to you....your health and weight or being

able to continue to eat those big macs when a regular burger taste

just as good.

Something to seriously think about!!!

We can do this together!

Yes, it works best together. I am so glad I have you all for

support. It sure does help to know that I am not alone.

from MO.

June 10, 2006

,

I'm glad the message helped.

Now, as to your doctor not being 'willing' to prescribe more test strips: It

doesn't hurt to

ask. You may even be able to get it done over the phone. Your doctor doesn't

seem to be

" in line " with the ADA - so likely he'll be willing to prescribe as many as your

insurance will

cover. It's not like they're drugs you can OD on or abuse (Unless, of course,

you're just a

masochist and start pricking your fingers for fun, but I just don't see that

happening!)

If he balks - argue. Stand up for yourself. YOU pay HIM. YOU hired HIM. YOU are

the

captain of your health care team and, ultimately, the one responsible for

ensuring that you

have the tip-top health care you can possibly get. Truthfully though I've never

heard of a

doctor not willing to prescribe more test strips, and very few insurance

companies put

tight limits on them (Some even give them to you free under certain plans, or

list them as

tier-one generics) simply because it costs less for them to provide you with

strips NOW

than it does to pay for 3x a week dialysis later in life.

SulaBlue

>

> Thank you for puttin on the Drill Sergeant Hat in the first place.

> I needed the wake up call. I really don't want to lose my toes.

>

> from MO.

>

June 10, 2006

Yeah, well - just tell your brother that you may be fat - but he's mean! Is he

still single?

SulaBlue

>

> I get no support at home, other than my brother screaming at the top of his

lungs at me

that I'm obese and no one will ever accept me as long as I am. I'm still

determined to

succeed. I have you guys and I have .

June 10, 2006

But on a note....there is nothing wrong with going to Mcdonalds. What is wrong

is what

you chose. Just order a chicken sandwich and a diet coke or even a cheeseburger

and a

diet coke. Both are acceptable to someone on a diet.

,

There is very, very, very little redeeming about Mc's for someone on a

diet - and

even less so for someone who is diabetic and on a diet.

The salads are OK - so long as you avoid the Fruit & Walnut Salad (44g of carbs

- the

walnuts are sugar coated) and the Asian Salad w/ Crispy Chicken (Dunno /what/ is

in that

thing, but it's a whopping 34g of carbs - 23 if you get regular chicken which

isn't TOO

bad.) BUT, the Newman's Own Ginger Dressing (Which I'm assuming goes w/ the

Asian

salad?) loads on another 14g of carbs. All the other dressings seem to add 4-9

carbs (The

Ceasar and Balsalmic Vinagrette being lowest at 4 each)

Most of the other salads look " OK " aside of those two big Danger Zones.

For dessert (if you must) the fruit and yogurt parfait without granola might be

tolerated by

some (25g of carbs). If you're just craving soft-serve icecream the Kiddie Cone

is the way

to go, with only 45 calories and 8g of carbs. Admittedly, it's almost pure sugar

and will

send you up faster than the Apple Dippers (SANS DIP) at an equal 8g of carbs but

70

calories.

Personally - if I'm going to have salad, unless I'm out shopping somewhere - I

think I'll fix

my own. Heck, even if I *AM* out shopping, I've been known to pack a salad in a

little

Kooler with an icepack and take it with me. It's just not worth the temptation

of stepping

into a fast food joint.

SulaBlue

June 11, 2006

> But on a note....there is nothing wrong with going to Mcdonalds.

What is wrong is what

> you chose. Just order a chicken sandwich and a diet coke or even a

cheeseburger and a

> diet coke. Both are acceptable to someone on a diet.

>

> ,

>

> There is very, very, very little redeeming about Mc's for

someone on a diet - and

> even less so for someone who is diabetic and on a diet.

I think, especially for someone who is married to a McD's fan and/or

has kids, it's unrealistic to say " I'm never stepping foot into a

McD's again. " So...you do what you can to make it 'okay'. I loved

their grilled chicken cobb salad and it was so tasty that I didn't

even use dressing (and I love dressing!). I'm not diabetic, so I can

get their grilled chicken sandwich w/o mayo and not have a terrible

meal. After watching " Supersize Me " , though, I will NEVER eat their

fries again (and my children don't get them, either). *shudders*

That's not right.

> The salads are OK - so long as you avoid the Fruit & Walnut Salad

(44g of carbs - the

> walnuts are sugar coated) and the Asian Salad w/ Crispy Chicken

(Dunno /what/ is in that

> thing, but it's a whopping 34g of carbs - 23 if you get regular

chicken which isn't TOO

> bad.) BUT, the Newman's Own Ginger Dressing (Which I'm assuming goes

w/ the Asian

> salad?) loads on another 14g of carbs. All the other dressings seem

to add 4-9 carbs (The

> Ceasar and Balsalmic Vinagrette being lowest at 4 each)

But, if I remember correctly, can tolerate quite a few (GOOD)

carbs despite being diabetic. She's not nearly as severe as you are,

so I think she has a bit more wiggle room.

> For dessert (if you must)

I think most of us got into trouble thinking we must. So now,

dessert is a treat. Though at home, we have 'dessert' 3-4 times a

week--fresh strawberries with a little light cool whip on top,

sometimes s/f Jello with fruit mixed in, sometimes just yogurt. I'm

trying to teach the boys that dessert doesn't mean a bowl overflowing

with ice cream, which is what I was taught. Now, with Joanna

Lund's recipes, we'll probably make up a real treat once every 2-3

weeks. Oooooh...just remembered that I haven't posted the cake recipe

yet. Whoops!

> Personally - if I'm going to have salad, unless I'm out shopping

somewhere - I think I'll fix

> my own. Heck, even if I *AM* out shopping, I've been known to pack a

salad in a little

> Kooler with an icepack and take it with me. It's just not worth the

temptation of stepping

> into a fast food joint.

Wow! You are really prepared! See, when I have to go out shopping

(especially true if the kids are with me), I can't imagine having to

pack up my lunch first. I pack healthy snacks...but actually lugging

a cooler around while having to chase after the kids? Yeah, that's

not gonna happen However, I have learned that fast food can have a

(very small) part in my eating plan and not ruin it. I know what I

can get at each place ahead of time and I just stick with it. I don't

know how long it's been since I've strayed from that...a long time.

But, *for me*, it's unrealistic to say I'm never going out to eat

again. It's my mom's favorite past time and about half the time when

we go to visit her for the day, she takes us out to lunch. *shrugs*

Good for you, that you stay away from it entirely

-Bonnie

June 11, 2006

Good morning, !

> Well, I am really frustrated with myself. I say I am going back to

the way the Diabetic Clinic taught me to eat and what do I do? I eat

what sounds good at the time instead. I think part of my problem is

that my last big blood test at the doctors came back way under the

diabetic limit. So I feel like I don't have diabetes. There for I

can eat anything I want and not have to worry about diabetes at all.

Mind you it came that way because I was eating the way the diabetic

clinic taught me to eat, but for some reason I have this frame of mind

that I can eat anything and that I am not diabetic.<

But you *know* that's not true. Have you really thought about what's

going on in your head to justify this lately? If you can, and this is

just a suggestion, take 5 or so minutes in the morning and sit

somewhere relatively dark-ish (and quiet) and just focus. Don't let

your mind get caught up in negative thoughts or anything like

that...instead, think positive thoughts about how you *can* do this.

And, perhaps, *why* you need to do this. Focus.

> So last night I wasn't that hungry, but my husband wanted to go to

Mcs for dinner. I really didn't want to go there because we eat

there all the time and I am getting tired of it.<

Two red flags went up when I read this. First, you weren't really

hungry (and I know from reading the rest of the post you ate anyway).

Second, you didn't want to go, but you did anyway. Now, I know you

have to be the one to drive, but could you have done what

suggested and grabbed something else at a different place? And a

really important question--did you tell him that you wanted to eat

somewhere else?

> He wanted to go so we went. Instead of getting a salad like I

should have. (By the way I really don't like that Asian Salad they

have. I think it was the dressing that made it taste bad to me.)

Well, any way, I ended up with a Big Mac, medium fries, vanilla shake

and an apple pie, and I wasn't even hungry. After I ate it all, I

looked at my husband and said I really shouldn't have eaten that. Why

is it I don't realize until after I eat something that I shouldn't eat

something? <

Did you know that on the back of the tray liners they have full

nutritional info on all their items? Getting on McD's website is a

great idea, too, though.

Um, back to what you wrote. A vanilla shake is a disaster for ANYONE.

But a diabetic? I can't imagine how you must've felt after having

that. Okay, so focus. What can you do differently next time? You

could ask for their nutritional info before you order. You could come

in prepared. But you gotta know that both the apple pie and the shake

were bad choices. It's almost like you were angry for having to go

despite not being overly hungry and not wanting to go *there*, so you

turned it inward and attacked yourself with food.

, can you talk to your hubby about how fast food isn't great for

you? I know he doesn't have a serious weight problem, but he's still

damaging his health. I wonder what his lipid profile would look like.

My father in law isn't seriously overweight and he's on tons of meds

now for cholesterol, trigylcerides, and...yep, diabetes. Back to fast

food--it seems cheap when there's only two people, but really, you

could save a lot of cash by eating in.

> How do I get my mind into the frame of mind I had before that got me

to really start trying to eat right? I was scared into it at first.

I was scared when they told me I had diabetes, so I took it so

seriously and did everything that the diabetes clinic told me to do. <

It has to be something you really want to do for yourself. I think

the key is, you have to love yourself enough to do it. It's not easy,

it's not always fun, but it's worth it in the end. The more you love

and respect yourself enough to do what's best for your health, the

easier it becomes. The cycle kind of renews itself. You gain

momentum. Yeah, there are bumps in the road...that's when you have to

focus. Keep in mind why you're doing it and move on. Don't dwell on

your mistakes.

>I was losing weight with doing that.<

In your situation, it isn't entirely about losing weight--it's about

keeping your diabetes under control. Right now, you've got a second

chance almost, with as good as your blood sugars were on your last

test. But don't be fooled--if you go back to the way you were, and if

you gain that weight back, the problems WILL come back full force.

> Then I had my last doctors visit and he told me to not do what the

clinic told me to do<

He was an idiot--we all agreed upon that, including you So erase

this from your memory. Wait a minute, something just occurred to me.

, is this how you are justifying eating poorly? Because that

doctor said to ignore the diabetic food plan? If that's running

through your head as you're scanning your food choices, you're going

to have to red flag those thoughts. Sugar and processed foods are

really bad for all of us--for a diabetic, they are poison.

> and on top of that my blood sugar test came back like I wasn't

diabetic. So now I have this thing in my head that says, " I am not

diabetic at all. I can eat anything. Those test before were just

wrong for some reason. " <

But the other tests weren't wrong. Look at how you felt last night

after eating that junk. You're going to have to reprogram that little

thing in your head to say, " I *am* diabetic, but I can control it. "

Really, , you're very lucky. A lot of people are diagnosed later

and they suffer more ill effects (glaucoma, in my father in law's

case). Yours is controlled through diet--so maybe before every food

choice, you should take a moment and think: Is this in my best

interest? Will it keep my blood sugars in check? Or am I sagotaging

myself?

> I guess what I should do is take it some time after I eat to really

see what this eating is doing to me. <

This is EXACTLY what you should do. Especially after the bad meals.

I wish you had the numbers after that McD's meal. That would've

scared you away from ever choosing that meal again, methinks.

> I am not losing weight any more. I am having the hardest time

exercising. It is so hot outside. I can't exercise outside any more.

I think it might make it up to 100 today. Icky!!! I absolutely hate

being hot. I am hot a lot inside my apartment too, because I need to

keep the temp up as much as I can stand it to save on my electric

bill. So I am really having a hard time trying to get myself to

exercise.<

I have a fan set up so I can do WATP or step aerobics and not die. I

know what you mean. But, the more I exercise, amazingly, the more I

can tolerate the heat.

, one more thing...when you start to think of why you can't

exercise (or eat right), why not cut the thought short with " No more

excuses! " I have to do it to myself sometimes, too. Even just

getting in the WATP one mile would be good. Or, like you said in

another post, go to a mall or Walmart to walk. Just do *something*.

And try to remember, we *all* have to be careful when we eat out, not

just diabetics. Even if you're convinced you're not diabetic anymore,

that McD's meal was bad news for *anyone*. Choose wisely.

-Bonnie

June 11, 2006

>> But, if I remember correctly, can tolerate quite a few (GOOD)> carbs despite being diabetic. She's not nearly as severe as you are,> so I think she has a bit more wiggle room.

Yeah, I am not nearly as severe as she is. I am thankful about that. I can have 45 to 60 carbs per meal. But I am supposed to try and stay close to 45 carbs to lose weight. That is just what they taught me at the diabetic clinic, and I am just going to go by what they said I should do. It was working and my blood sugar was coming down when I did it right, and I was losing weight.

from MO.

June 11, 2006

Bonnie,

Thank you for taking your time to respond to my e-mail. You had some really good things to say and I want to take some time and just think about what you and others have said to me in the last few days. More below within your post.> But you *know* that's not true. Have you really thought about what's> going on in your head to justify this lately? If you can, and this is> just a suggestion, take 5 or so minutes in the morning and sit> somewhere relatively dark-ish (and quiet) and just focus. Don't let> your mind get caught up in negative thoughts or anything like> that...instead, think positive thoughts about how you *can* do this. > And, perhaps, *why* you need to do this. Focus.

I will give this a try. I know positive thoughts work. I have been so negative lately. I really don't know why. I can't blame it on my meds, because I have been taking them properly. I will try and do this every day to start my day out in a proper way. I don't know if I will always remember to do this, but I will give it a try. I have heard that postive affirmations really work.

> Did you know that on the back of the tray liners they have full> nutritional info on all their items? Getting on McD's website is a> great idea, too, though.

You know I didn't know that about the tray liners. I might just have my husband grab one for me after he gets off work and I can stick that in my purse for whenever we do decide to go to McD's.

> > Um, back to what you wrote. A vanilla shake is a disaster for ANYONE.I knew it was a terrible thing to order before I even ordered it. Same with the apple pie. I wasn't focusing. I was sabotaging I think.

.. It's almost like you were angry for having to go> despite not being overly hungry and not wanting to go *there*, so you> turned it inward and attacked yourself with food.

I agree with you. I about attacking myself with food. I stay awake nights a lot lately and think of horrible ways to hurt myself and my progress. I really don't know why I do this. Now, I don't stay awake thinking of ways to attack myself with food, but I do believe that some times (Not always) when I am making those bad food choices I am trying to do something totally unhealthy for me. I really don't know what is going on with me lately. The only thing I can think of that is different lately is that I am working towards getting a job. Maybe that is something that I really deep down don't want to happen. I don't know why else I am doing this to myself. I feel guilty about not working. I am stressing though about working. I only got two hours of sleep last night for thinking about all the aweful things.

> Back to fast> food--it seems cheap when there's only two people, but really, you> could save a lot of cash by eating in.

When I go to the store and see how much things coast a lot of times it just seems cheaper to eat out as cheaply as possible since there are only two of us. Meat, veggies & fruit are so expensive.

.. The more you love> and respect yourself enough to do what's best for your health, the> easier it becomes.

I think you really hit on something there. Right now I am really having trouble loving and respecting myself. Like I said earlier in this post something is going on in my mind and it is not a good thing. I haven't told anyone in my family what has been going on. I don't want to worry them. I am afraid if I say something their going to want to put me in the hospital and I absolutely hate hospitals.

from MO.

June 11, 2006

Hi Jane. I don't know if I have welcomed you yet or not. Sometimes my mind slips. LOL But anyway welcome to our group! I seen this note to and wanted to step up and say we're glad to have you here with us.

"Well, I am really frustrated with myself. I say I am going back to the way the Diabetic Clinic taught me to eat and what do I do?"

Hi ,

I am new to this group. I am a diabetic. I lost over 100 lbs and kept it off for 5 years and then gained it back plus more. Yuck.

I believe that it is a mind set type thing.I agree completely!

For the past 4 months I have not deviated from those choices and I have only lost 6 pounds. I have cut my calorie intake way back and I carefully watch it, but the weight loss tells me that what I am doing is not enough. (It is disgusting and discouraging but can be overcome)Good luck and don't give up!

More recently I have become physically disabled and am very limited to exercise, but that can not be an excuse. People are very creative individuals and we must continue to try to solve issues at hand so that we can enjoy the healthy life style we have selected for ourselves.I'm always so glad to hear when people works though whatever disabilities they may have. So many people throws their hands up in the air and just says I can't do that because i have this , that and the other wrong with me. But like you I think you can find a way around almost any obstacle.It is harder, and you might not be able to do things the same way as other people but thats no reason to quit. I have just recently heard about s video done sitting in a chair. That is so great. So many people can benifit from it.

One thing that you might consider at Mc's is getting a hamburger and just eating it in an open face manner with one piece of bread the meat and pickle, lettuce, tomato or what ever you like. Then you can feel great about yourself and the choices that you made.I do this at home a whole lot.

I have a TV in my kitchen as well as in other rooms, but I have found that in the kitchen I can stand at the sink, which faces onto a road with people going by and I can see the television at the same time, and I can walk or march in place while supporting myself with my arms on the sink. I am 5'5" and this height works for me. Like you, I do not like the outdoor heat. But my exercising inside while watching outside activities at the kitchen window and TV it makes the time go much faster. If I go outside, walking must be done with my walker which also has a seat on it, so I can stop and sit ever so often.I think having stuff to look at like out your window helps. I like watching tv while I workout. Or listening to my music. My dad had cebral pasley and walked his whole life with a walker. He used to use his walker as a execise tool. He had like the leg weights attached to it and did execises with it. I wish I could remember exactly what he did but I was fairly young. You might do a search on the internet for exercises with a walker.

I can only stand for about 3-5 minutes when my body is not supported in some manner, so I have learned to adopt this form of exercise.Like I said above there is exercise where you actually take advantage of your walker.You sit down and then use your walker as your tool. Shoot I wish I had paid more attention.

I am not suggesting that you adopt this for yourself, but if you analyze what your likes and dislikes are, perhaps you can come up with a plan that will work for you. And the nice thing is that you can always start with small time increments and work up to long time intervals.Sorta like me with that mini trampoline. I'm starting really small, I'm still doing smal and I'm afraid its gonna take me a long time to build up. But we all have to start somewhere:)

I

June 11, 2006

> I will give this a try. I know positive thoughts work. I have been so

> negative lately. I really don't know why. I can't blame it on my meds,

> because I have been taking them properly. I will try and do this every

> day to start my day out in a proper way. I don't know if I will always

> remember to do this, but I will give it a try. I have heard that

> postive affirmations really work.

, I think you hit on something when you said these behaviors

might be related to your fear of going back to work. Listen, some

people can work and some can't--for various reasons. No sense feeling

guilty about it. It is what it is...accept it and move on. If you're

not ready to go back to work, can you phone the people helping you and

tell them that? Maybe in 6 months or a year you *will* be ready, but

right now, if it's stressing you out that much, it's just not worth

it! It really is okay to just accept the fact that you're not ready.

It's a *good* thing to know your personal limitations.

> I agree with you. I about attacking myself with food. I stay awake

> nights a lot lately and think of horrible ways to hurt myself and my

> progress. I really don't know why I do this. Now, I don't stay awake

> thinking of ways to attack myself with food, but I do believe that some

> times (Not always) when I am making those bad food choices I am trying

> to do something totally unhealthy for me. I really don't know what is

> going on with me lately. The only thing I can think of that is

> different lately is that I am working towards getting a job. Maybe that

> is something that I really deep down don't want to happen. I don't know

> why else I am doing this to myself. I feel guilty about not working. I

> am stressing though about working. I only got two hours of sleep last

> night for thinking about all the aweful things.

Is there anyone you can talk to about all this? It sounds like it's

an awful lot to work through on your own. Can you go in and talk to

your psychiatrist?

And when you're lying in bed awake and having bad thoughts, maybe you

can make an effort to stop them and refocus--think of all the things

you've accomplished since you started your new way of life. You've

come a long way and if you take the time to give yourself credit,

you'll start to see that you *should* respect yourself for all you've

done!

> When I go to the store and see how much things coast a lot of times it

> just seems cheaper to eat out as cheaply as possible since there are

> only two of us. Meat, veggies & fruit are so expensive.

True. I shop sales and can make a huge crock pot of chili for under

$8, though, that feeds all 4 of us for at least 2-3 complete meals.

> I think you really hit on something there. Right now I am really having

> trouble loving and respecting myself.

I used to watch (and lots of others) talk about loving

yourself and roll my eyes. I thought it was all a bunch of

touchy-feely nonsense. But somewhere along the way, over the last 9

months, I've come to really give myself some credit. And you know, I

*do* like myself now. Looking back, I can see a whole lot of mistakes

I've made in my life, mostly due to hating myself--almost done as

punishment. I hated the way I looked (even when I was thin), I hated

that I didn't have any confidence, I hated everything about myself.

Everything was out of control because I was so self-destructive. A

lot of that turned around after having my first child, but deep down I

still didn't like myself. Food was the last self-destructive device I

allowed myself to use. I've got a long way to go, but instead of

starting every morning with a " Ugh, I hate the way I look " as I look

into the mirror, I start it with a happy thought and most days, I

honestly am very glad to be me.

I think the positive thinking has helped me enormously--I was

extremely pessimistic before all this. I don't know...you have to

find what works for you, but it really has helped me to stay focused.

And the better you feel about yourself, the more you want to stay on

plan and live healthy.

And again, can you get into your doctor to talk about some of this

stuff that's going in inside your head? You sound very overwhelmed

and it sounds serious. What does your hubby say?

Sorry, gotta run.

-Bonnie

June 11, 2006

> Hi ,> I am new to this group.

Hi Jane, I don't know if I already have, but I wanted to welcome you to the group. You sound like you truly understand about not being able to eat certain foods and know what it is like.

I am a diabetic. I lost over 100 lbs and kept> it off for 5 years and then gained it back plus more. Yuck.

Wow, You lost over 100 lbs? That is great! How did you do it? I'm sorry that it came back. I had lost at one time several years ago about 70 pounds, but I gained that back plus a lot more too. I agree "Yuck".

> I believe that it is a mind set type thing.

I believe you are right. It is a mind set type of thing. I know when I have my mind set a certain way I can do what needs to be done. I have lost 52 pounds since September, but I have lost the right mind set, and I am trying to get back to it.

> For the past 4 months I have not deviated from those choices and I have> only lost 6 pounds. I have cut my calorie intake way back and I carefully> watch it, but the weight loss tells me that what I am doing is not> enough. (It is disgusting and discouraging but can be overcome)

Good job on losing those 6 pounds. It sounds like you are really trying. I know how frustrating it can be to lose slowly, but it will start to come off again. Just keep working at it.

> More recently I have become physically disabled and am very limited to> exercise, but that can not be an excuse. People are very creative> individuals and we must continue to try to solve issues at hand so that> we can enjoy the healthy life style we have selected for ourselves.

I'm sorry to hear that you are physically disabled. When I first started back in September I couldn't walk but a few feet at a time. I had to use the wheel chair a lot. I started slowly and tried hard to increase my walking a few more feet at a time, and now I can walk a couple of miles when I really try. I got rid of the wheel chair. I used to not be able to stand in front of my stove to cook. I couldn't stand to do dishes. I hurt so bad. Now I can stand to cook and not think a think about it. So I do know a little about being physically unable to do things, but probably not as much as you. I'm sorry again to hear about your physical disability and hope that things get better for you soon.

> > One thing that you might consider at Mc's is getting a hamburger> and just eating it in an open face manner with one piece of bread the> meat and pickle, lettuce, tomato or what ever you like. Then you can feel> great about yourself and the choices that you made.

Good idea. That would cut both carbs and calories. I just might try that the next time I eat a burger. Thanks for the idea!

> For a while I felt that I was being punished because I can not successful> eat the things that I like. Ice cream, cakes, cookies, larger portions> of food, etc. I am learning not to miss them and not to feel deprived and> I am very thankful for that occurrence.

You felt like you were being punished too for not being able to eat those things? I know what your saying. How did you learn to not miss those things and not feel deprived?

Thanks Jane for telling me your story. It does help to hear from others that go through the same thing as you do, and how they get through things.

Again I want to welcome you to the group. You are already a support to me and I hope that I can be here to support you too and help encourage you along your way to a healthy life.

from MO

June 11, 2006

> But, if I remember correctly, can tolerate quite a few (GOOD)

> carbs despite being diabetic. She's not nearly as severe as you are,

> so I think she has a bit more wiggle room.

I debated sending this just to Bonnie, as I don't really want to talk " about "

, so much

as 's diabetes, and diabetes in general. I decided that the message could

be

beneficial to more than just an explaination to Bonnie on my hard stance against

Mc's, fast food joints, and higher-carb meals in general.

If a person is only testing his or her BGs, once a week, while fasting, there

isn't really a

way to decide what he or she can " tolerate " as far as eating carbohydrates. If a

person

doesn't know what they started out before a meal, and then what they ended up

with after

a meal, how can they know how that food affected them? By time you take your BG

at

fasting the next day, your pancreas had had all night to catch up with what you

did to

yourself the previous day.

I really, honestly suspect, , that if you were to test 1 and 2 hours after

one of your

" Diabetic Clinic " meals that you would be shocked to find your BGs going up well

over 180

at 1 hour and still hovering around 140 after an hour. These are guidelines the

ADA says/

used to say were " OK. " But it has been found that damage to the nerves, kidneys,

eyes, etc.

starts at these levels, thus the recommendation of staying below 140 1 hour

after meals

and below 120 1 hour after meals now and a fasting between 70-110.

I am on a list, Diabetes-int. We've wondered why more doctors don't push for

lower

numbers. Some simply aren't specialist and aren't 'up' on the latest way of

thinking, having

been brainwashed by the ADA. Others fully admit that they are /afraid/ to do so,

because

they have very few patients who are willing to keep a tight enough reign on

their numbers

that they believe if they give enough medication to get those lower numbers that

their

patients will experience hypoglycemic periods - and that is just a lawsuit

waiting to

happen for them, and dangerous for their clients.

Speaking of hypoglycemic - it's possible that a person can have " hypo-type "

reactions to

carbs. Sure, this is great as it might bring their #s down - but bad, in that it

means their

body IS responding to lots of carbs by shoving out more insulin. This situation

is bad

because while the body is able to 'keep up' it's doing so at the cost of a

singularly

irreplaceable part - your pancreas! The harder you make your pancreas work, the

more

beta cells (the cells that produce insulin) you kill every day. Eventually you

reach the point

where you eat that hamburger one night - and the next morning you wake up with a

surprisingly high number. And then it happens again, and again... and the

numbers keep

going higher, and higher.

Well, guess what! That person has just killed their pancreas and effectively

become

insulin-dependent. Now, there's nothing " wrong " with using insulin.

Unfortunately doctors

use the /threat/ of having to go on insulin to try and scare their clients into

better

compliance. I, and many people on Diabetes-int, CHOSE WILLINGLY to go onto

insulin

because of the flexible control it gives us. Right now, I COULD CHOOSE go to

Mc's,

have the Big Mac and shoot enough insulin that my BGs would never go over 140.

But I

don't, because I personally feel that that's not a good use of my rather

expensive

medication

I do not consider my Diabetes to be 'severe' - it is easily controlled when I

apply the

proper discipline. Now, it's darned hard for me to be disciplined when I go into

situations

that offer too much temptation. Parties, bbqs where I didn't get to help plan

the menu,

buffet restaurants, and fast food joints are all potential plan-killers for me

(Just like any

dieter). I control with diet, exercise, 8mg of Avandia (max dose), 1,000mg of

Metformin

(1/2 the max dose), 8 units of Levemir (Below normal starting dose, I'll be

moving up to

10, which is the lowest recommended dose, soon) and Novolog insulin " as needed. "

I need

about 6U of Novolog in the morning due to insulin resistance/carb sensitivity.

Generally

speaking I rarely shoot a bolus insulin for lunch or dinner unless I'm eating

something

particularly carby.

I have no diabetic complications as of yet, after 5 years. Not a hint of

retinopathy last time

it was checked (I really need to go back), no neuropathy, no damage to my

kidneys, and

my wounds heal quickly. I consider myself lucky.

> > Personally - if I'm going to have salad, unless I'm out shopping

> somewhere - I think I'll fix

> > my own. Heck, even if I *AM* out shopping, I've been known to pack a

> salad in a little

> > Kooler with an icepack and take it with me. It's just not worth the

> temptation of stepping

> > into a fast food joint.

>

> Wow! You are really prepared! See, when I have to go out shopping

> (especially true if the kids are with me), I can't imagine having to

> pack up my lunch first. I pack healthy snacks...but actually lugging

> a cooler around while having to chase after the kids? Yeah, that's

> not gonna happen However, I have learned that fast food can have a

> (very small) part in my eating plan and not ruin it. I know what I

> can get at each place ahead of time and I just stick with it. I don't

> know how long it's been since I've strayed from that...a long time.

> But, *for me*, it's unrealistic to say I'm never going out to eat

> again. It's my mom's favorite past time and about half the time when

> we go to visit her for the day, she takes us out to lunch. *shrugs*

> Good for you, that you stay away from it entirely

By cooler I mean one of those little ones that hang off your shoulder by a

purse. An

insulated lunch bucket I also don't have kids, so this admittedly makes

things quite a bit

easier for me! But, really, once you're diabetic life takes more planning.

That's just how it

is, and it starts to flow over into other parts of your life

Dieting is hard enough. Dieting when you're a diabetic adds on extra layers of

challenges

and obstacles. It really stinks that several of the diabetic medications either

cause hunger

or weight gain!

SulaBlue

> -Bonnie

>

June 11, 2006

>

> Good morning, !

> > Then I had my last doctors visit and he told me to not do what the

> clinic told me to do<

>

> He was an idiot--we all agreed upon that, including you So erase

> this from your memory. Wait a minute, something just occurred to me.

> , is this how you are justifying eating poorly? Because that

> doctor said to ignore the diabetic food plan? If that's running

> through your head as you're scanning your food choices, you're going

> to have to red flag those thoughts. Sugar and processed foods are

> really bad for all of us--for a diabetic, they are poison.

Actually, Bonnie, I'd be more inclined to agree with the doctor. Diabetes

" clinics " are

usually about 20 years behind the times. , he told you not to pay attention

to them -

but I don't remember what he DID tell you to eat?

>

> , one more thing...when you start to think of why you can't

> exercise (or eat right), why not cut the thought short with " No more

> excuses! " I have to do it to myself sometimes, too. Even just

> getting in the WATP one mile would be good. Or, like you said in

> another post, go to a mall or Walmart to walk. Just do *something*.

I read a line in an article yesterday. It read " If you justify your excuses,

that's as far as

you'll ever get. "

> And try to remember, we *all* have to be careful when we eat out, not

> just diabetics. Even if you're convinced you're not diabetic anymore,

> that McD's meal was bad news for *anyone*. Choose wisely.

Amen.

> -Bonnie

SulaBlue

June 11, 2006

Hi Jane!

I'm curious - have you considered a walker? I have one from when my back went

out (Need

to return it to my mom's friend's son before his next knee surgery!) It's

actually wider than

most walkers, too, as he's well over 400lbs.

It could give you the option of working out somewhere other than the kitchen, if

you were

so inclined. When not using it it folds up easily and slides under a bed or

closet.

SulaBlue

> I can do other exercises at the sink area. Leg raises, backwards kicks,

> etc.

>

> I can only stand for about 3-5 minutes when my body is not supported in

> some manner, so I have learned to adopt this form of exercise.

> Jane

>

June 11, 2006