Frustrated at Diet and Exercise Zealots -- and no, it's not anyone here.

[Guest guest]

Hi!

First, some background. I am about as discreet as a nudist colony, except

I have worse clothes sense. So everyone around me, and people far far away

(penpals), knows I have diabetes. Actually, it keeps me humble, since I've

lost about 40 lb since this started. They say " you look good, what are you

doing? " and I tell them " I wish I could claim credit, but it's the disease

and the drugs, but the diet and the extra walk helped. "

This is now becoming a pain because now I'm getting so many people saying

" you can cure/control/treat that with diet and exercise. " True: There are

people who can and do manage diabetes that way. Extra True: Even for those

dependent on oral antihypoglycemics to treat their diabetes should probably

be using it in conjunction with diet and exercise (consult with your health

care team on this -- I don't even play a doctor on TV). But the tone, the

subcurrent I'm getting is along the lines of " real men don't take metformen "

-- as if my pancreas being in semi-retirement were a character issue. I

sometimes feel like I'd have to come back from Hawaii with an Ironman first

place trophy (not first place in age division, oh my gosh I AM getting old!

or finisher's medal) before they'd give up the " diet and exercise " sermons.

It gets especially good when I get this particular line from the

coworkers who look at me funny when I mention " Bicycle to Work Day " or how

great the new LED bike headlamps work (actually, the great part about them

is the really long battery life -- tip for those who cycle at night). I

don't know if I can handle the tedium of , say 60 to 80 " junk miles " on foot

each and every week, but spending all day on a bike when I have a

DESTINATION is a lot of fun. For me.

Oh great, I'm 20 minutes late on my breakfast postprandial bg! AUGH!

Leone rleone@...

Leone, rleone@... " Only you can prevent long sig files. "

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[Guest guest]

<<This is now becoming a pain because now I'm getting so many people saying

" you can cure/control/treat that with diet and exercise. " >>

,

I love your humor - always enjoy your posts. I guess those of us who have

managed to ditch the drugs get overly excited! When I was first diagnosed,

I was on medication for diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol

(triglycerides). When my doctor told me that I would never be off the

medications, but that they would gradually increase, he gave me the

ammunition to prove him WRONG. He told me that I would probably be on

insulin in 2 years. Well, it's almost 3 years now, and I successfully

control everything with diet and lots of exercise. I certainly understand

that not every one can do this. There's absolutely nothing wrong with

having to take medications to maintain your good health. I would encourage

it if that is what's necessary! It doesn't mean that you are a failure

because exercise and diet alone do not work. We are all different. The

next time someone tells you that you can control this or that with diet and

exercise, throw them some of your humor!

Rhonda Y.

rhonda.yeager@...

[Guest guest]

How much excercise do you do Rhonda?

Re: Frustrated at " Diet and Exercise " Zealots -- and no,

it's not anyone here.

the

ammunition to prove him WRONG. He told me that I would probably be on

insulin in 2 years. Well, it's almost 3 years now, and I successfully

control everything with diet and lots of exercise. I certainly understand

th diet and

exercise,

Rhonda Y.

rhonda.yeager@...

[Guest guest]

> I sometimes feel like I'd have to come back from Hawaii with an

> Ironman first place trophy (not first place in age division, oh my

> gosh I AM getting old!

My brother was a Ironman for years - Now he's just 1/2 of one, but still

looks human.<g> He's 54

& T1