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Reply: Do I have Diabetes?

The past poster was correct. We are not doctors, but I can tell you some basics, and...

Posted by Phototaker123

The past poster was correct. We are not doctors, but I can tell you some basics, and about myself, and maybe that might help you.

I started out at an A1C of 5.9, and I was told I was a diabetic.
I'm glad I was told that. I did start with diet and exercise alone, and no medicine and did well for about almost 3 1/2 years. I went on two cruises, with a lot of exercise and ate pretty healthy, but I did taste desserts on the cruises, fruits, sugarless ice cream, and tastes of things. I figured I walked so many miles on the tours. I did lose a few lbs. and actually felt really good. After both cruises, I started extreme exercise dancing 5x a week for an hour at a time, did photography walks, swimming, other kinds of dancing, etc. I feel I overdid my exercise, and started getting really hungry and ate "more".
I went up to 6.1 and now am in the middle 6 point range. I struggle eating having 1/2 an apple without my numbers going up. I started a low dose of Metformin medicine too.

My recommendation, from my own experience is this. Buy yourself a testing kit, and test your blood sugar numbers before you eat in the morning, and two hours after your lunch and dinner. Chart your numbers.

See if you can talk to a dietician about healthier food choices.

Start an exercise program, but don't overdo. Even walking for 30 minutes a day is fine to start. Find an exercise you love, hiking, volleyball, biking, running, swimming, dancing, etc.

Cut out "all" candy, pop, cake, cookies, chips, etc.
Eat protein, chicken, fish, a fist sized piece of lean meat, etc.
Make a huge salad, and read carbs and sugars on the dressing bottles. I have a lite Paul Newman's Vinegarette dressing. I'm sure others have ideas. Eat vegetables.
Stay away from white bread, pizza, white rice, white potatoes, etc. Try to be stricter at first,to get off the weight. If you do all these things, you may put your diabetes in remission and not need medicine. Then you probably could have a taste of something once in a while. You can buy whole wheat or whole grain bread, and only have one slice, instead of two. They have whole grain pasta, too, but take "small" portions of that.
It's best that you get this weight off first. That will make a big difference.

Good luck! You're smart to look at this. It may "cure" many of the little problems you're having like bathroom issues, eye problems, confusion, infections, etc. Of course, this has to be done with your doctor's approval. Talk to him/her about the best route to go. Maybe you'd like to try this without taking medicine to see if you can get down your blood sugar numbers. If you're consistently testing in the 200's, that's not good.

Be serious about this. We'll help you get started, if you decide this is something really important for the rest of your life.View Thread

Posted byPhototaker123

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Reply: good morning

Well Tang, I'm glad it's a new start! I want to wish you much success. I'm working...

Posted by Phototaker123

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Reply: Monday Muster - August 13th!

I had a pretty uneventful weekend, as I'm trying to rest my hip flex-or as much as...

Posted by Phototaker123

I had a pretty uneventful weekend, as I'm trying to rest my hip flex-or as much as possible, before I'm off on a photography trip.I see my physical therapist tomorrow. I haven't been able to do most of my exercise, UJam dancing, dancing on Friday and Sat. nights(salsa, ballroom), etc. but I have done the town music series on Friday nights with two friends, danced a few little dances(regular style), be able to swim, and that has been just joyful. I also went to Carmel and Monterey with a school friend this past week, and took some fun photos. I was able to walk around town, and I was happy about that. I met another friend I haven't seen in a while for lunch, too, and drove to San Juan Bautista for lunch another day. Mostly, I've been staying in, though trying to heal it.

I had the 2nd of my first cousins pass away suddenly, just recently, one a few days ago. This hit me really hard, as I grew up with both of them! They lived far away from me, and I only saw them occasionally as adults. One was my age.
It just makes me more feisty, that I'm going to get out of my box and do more things. I'm taking a small risk on my trip, but it's my "first" real out of the box things I'm doing. As our Michelle said, "Savor every moment!" I'm doing that more and more, taking risks I wouldn't have before, not waiting for tomorrow.

I also have another trip planned to see both my brothers and some friends. I didn't have the time or energy when I was teaching full-time to fly back East. Don't wait! Do it now, if you can.

Haylen, sorry about your father-in-law! It sounds like he's going to be okay...just needs a little bit of help recovering his speech.
Dave...hope you both can get the projects done together. It's good that she has some time off to relax, too.

David, hope your eye appt. goes well.

Michelle, those new friends sound wonderful. So good that you got your mom closer to you.

Deb, it sounds like you have a lot more energy now. That's great! I haven't been able to read too much lately.

Flute...have a wonderful 50 anniversary! Awesome!

Laura, that's great you went down in size...super! Sorry about the bruise...better than a broken leg!

Have a good week, everyone!View Thread

Posted byPhototaker123

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Reply: good morning

Is this Den? Sure sounds like him... Nicely done!

Posted by Phototaker123

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Reply: start fresh web M.D.

Smilingis4theweak... Den is trying to be truthful. I wouldn't recommend that he lie...

Posted by Phototaker123

12 Replies | Reply | Watch This DiscussionReport This| Share this:start fresh web M.D. Smilingis4theweak... Den is trying to be truthful. I wouldn't recommend that he lie...

Reply: start fresh web M.D.

Den, I also believe that WebMd only leaves up the last few comments there, not...

Posted by Phototaker123

12 Replies | Reply | Watch This DiscussionReport This| Share this:start fresh web M.D. Den, I also believe that WebMd only leaves up the last few comments there, not...

Includes Expert Content

Reply: I've been thrown a nasty curve ball!

That's such a great idea, Michelle, even though your cancer blog has helped thousands...

Posted by Phototaker123

11 Replies | Reply | Watch This DiscussionReport This| Share this:I've been thrown a nasty curve ball! That's such a great idea, Michelle, even though your cancer blog has helped thousands...

Reply: ROLL CALL! (and an art project photo)

Phototaker Biggest Challenge- Right now I'm trying to get my hip flexor muscle...

Posted by Phototaker123

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Reply: never knew of the members past

Good first step, Den...to look "outside" yourself and realize other people have...

Posted by Phototaker123

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Reply: OT Need some help

Why do you feel you have to be "perfect"? Why do you need our approval? Love...

Posted by Phototaker123

5 Replies | Reply | Watch This DiscussionReport This| Share this:OT Need some help Why do you feel you have to be "perfect"? Why do you need our approval? Love...

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