Hello, I am brand new to diabetes

[jwalz1949]

I was just diagnosed as having Type 2 Diabetes. In fact, I had blood work this week that confirmed that and haven't seen my doctor for follow up but have an appointment with him next week. I do monitor my blood sugar from time to time at home and know that my fasting blood sugar, in the AM, is usually around 115-130+. I have a feeling he is going to put me on a stict diet (which I need to loose weight) and maybe take medication but my issue is exercise. I have a lot of painful arthritis that prevents me from doing the exercises I want to do. I do use my stationary bike that I have at home. I recently had hip replacement surgery and may have to have surgery on a knee sometime in the future. Can anyone give me their thoughts, ideas, diet plans, etc. Anything would be wonderful as I am brand new with this and can use all the help I can get. Thank you.

[genie86333]

Hi! Welcome to the forum! You've found a great place with lots of great info.

Good to see that you're testing your blood sugar some already. You'll need to increase that testing to see how different foods affect you too, by testing about 2 hours after meals. By that time your blood sugar should be under 140. Some things you'll probably find you need to limit are: potatoes, pasta, bread, rice, anything with flour or sugar (including natural sugars like found in fruit & juices.) How much you need to cut back on these & other carbs depends on what your meter says. Some find they can have good control & still eat 100 or 150 g of carbs each day, others find they have to cut back to 20 or 30 g each day.

As for exercise...do what you can. Any amount of exercise is better than none. Google "chair exercise" for some ideas that you can do while seated since you're having issues with your hips & knees.

[Jnuonum]

Welcome, you will be fine.

[Baylor1970]

Glad to have you at this forum. I have only been here a week and already I think there is lots of useful information. When I was dx'ed as Type 2 my doctor put me on the South Beach Diet. I have never dieted before so this was quite an attack on my system, but it went very well. I like this diet because you can eat till you are full. I do not like to be hungry. My blood sugar is getting better day by day. I would recomment this diet.

[princesslinda]

Welcome Jwalz! Glad you found the forums. Lots of good information and support here.

There's a book you'll see recommended here often, "The First Year, Type 2 Diabetes," by Gretchen Becker. It has a lot of good information in an easy to read format.

As for exercise, do you have access to a swimming pool? This might be a good way to move around w/o putting extra stress on your joints.

[dbaratta]

I was just diagnosed as having Type 2 Diabetes. In fact, I had blood work this week that confirmed that and haven't seen my doctor for follow up but have an appointment with him next week. I do monitor my blood sugar from time to time at home and know that my fasting blood sugar, in the AM, is usually around 115-130+. I have a feeling he is going to put me on a stict diet (which I need to loose weight) and maybe take medication but my issue is exercise. I have a lot of painful arthritis that prevents me from doing the exercises I want to do. I do use my stationary bike that I have at home. I recently had hip replacement surgery and may have to have surgery on a knee sometime in the future. Can anyone give me their thoughts, ideas, diet plans, etc. Anything would be wonderful as I am brand new with this and can use all the help I can get. Thank you.

How about 2-hours post meal? Do you know what your BG average for that reading is?

Don't worry about the diet, lots of people in this forum have stated that they didn't change their diets a whole lot and are doing well. Me personally I have changed my diet 100%, I had to. You will get tons of nutrition tips in this forum, best thing you can do for yourself is choose healthy, unprocessed foods.

Welcome!:D

[kgm0612]

WELCOME to the forum.

My advice........test often & limit your carbohydrate intake. Because you're finding exercise to be painful due to arthritis, swimming may be just the thing for you. Check out the YMCA if you have one locally, or even the closest college or university. Most of them have swimming pools and also sell memberships to the public.

Karen