Recently Diagnosed with Type II Diabetes

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Thu, July 03, 2008

I found out about a month ago that I have Type II Diabetes. I had been sick for almost a year but was diagnosed with B12 deficiency (pernicious anemia) in November so I figured the fatigue, weakness, and depression were due to this. A blood test confirmed I have type II and now I have to test my blood sugar level every day and take gloucophage twice a day plus a high blood pressure pill once a day. I hope to be off the high blood pressure meds once I can maintain a healthy blood sugar range and lose weight. I hope to be able to stop taking Gloucophage but I may have no choice to take it or another medication if it has to be changed in the near future.

The transition has been very difficult. I used to eat a lot of sweets and order takeout once or twice a week but now I cook for my husband and me just about everyday. The hardest part has been reading labels and cutting portions and eating better. I look for interesting recipes and ordered a diabetes cookbook so I don't get bored eating the same stuff. I am getting a hang of the change in my former eating habits to a more healthier one, but the most difficult thing for me is to start exercising which I have not done since being diagnosed a month ago. I can't get myself to get going and just feel that I will never be able to lose this weight. I think this is the most stressful part of diabetes for me. I never liked exercising and have been overweight for most of my life so I don't know how to motivate myself to get going. Advice anyone?

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Taking control of my life

7/ 3/08 11:56am

I too was recently diagnosed with Type II Diabetes, ate all the wrong things and didn't exercise like I knew I should. I live in Florida and it is too hot to go walking during the day and I don't like to walk alone when it is dark. These seemed like good excuses to me and I kept saying I would do it tomorrow.

I took a Diabetes class and was told about walking DVD's by Leslie Sansone. I have ordered some and am excited about starting with them when they arrive. She has a lot of different ones, but I am starting with the basic walk a mile or 2 miles. There are four steps she repeats and the instructor said the DVD's were wonderful. I have also ordered one geared to diabetics. Exercising in my own home with the cool air will hopefully get me motivated to move.

It is tough retraining your way of thinking and living, but I am determined to stick with it. Here is the web site I used to find the Walk and Talk DVD. There is a video to show what it is all about.

http://www.lesliesansone.com/store/product149.html

Good luck with getting healthy. You are not alone in your struggle!

Betty

Meg, the Noob

7/ 4/08 6:39am

Hi I was recently diagnosed with diabetes too. I've managed to lose 11 kilograms (24 pounds) so far, without doing too much exercise. I've been mainly focused on my diet and blood glucose. My exercising so far has been 1 yoga class (it clashed with my meal times, so I stopped going), walking home during lunch if the weather was good (I live about 7 minutes walk away), and the occasional walk in the hills around the dam over the weekend.

I like this idea about the Wii Sports:

http://www.healthcentral.com/diabetes/c/94037/32711/encouraging/?ic=4027

Michael Barker

9/30/10 1:52pm

The general attitude is that diabetes is caused by lack of exercise. It has been my observation that it is the other way around. If your diet is poor, it essentially forces your body into a starvation mode. Your body begins to hold on to nutrients causing weight gain and, at the same time, limits energy expenditure.

If your diet is good, you will find more energy and you really won't have any choice, your body will make you move.

You have to be aware of food sensitivities, however. This means that you test your blood sugar 1 hour after your first bite of food. If your blood sugar goes over 160 eliminate that food and keep doing this until you have all your food straightened out.

Relax , it takes time.

yaral

10/26/10 2:54pm

I too had a problem with the exercise. I had gained so much weight that my back and shoulder hurt, I could not touch my toes, could not walk too long. I was depressed so I slept a lot, or sit around watching TV, reading, or on the computer. I was tired all of the time, and just did not feel well. I tried curves, weight training, and walking. I finally went to a therapist for the depression. He told me to get out and walk about 2 hours after the sun comes up in the morning. He told me not to worry about how long, just walk. I started doing that, then when it got warm, I joined the aqua aerobics class at the local "Y". That did it. It includes aerobics, interval training, strength training with water weights, stretching and toning. The pool is inside, but the sun comes in. I go 3 times a week, and I am feeling so good. I get up early, because class is at 8 am. I get in the sauna after the class, sometimes I just swim after the class. My body feels good, I have lost lost 30 lbs. I can walk much farther now, without pain, or exhaustion. I feel limber. I am not as depressed, or stressed, both of which can send your blood sugar up. I am beginning to look much better which also helps the depression, and keeps me going. It is a struggle, but it is worth it.

Recently Diagnosed with Type II Diabetes

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