[Caravaggio]

Originally Posted by Girlrilla

I've had type 2 for 3 years now and make no attempts to control it. I never test and I eat what I want, including sugar every day. My a1c has pretty much been around 7. I weight 246 and I am 52. I don't know why I do not deal with this. It seems like it's too hard. I'm worried that I am really harming myself but I can't get going. Any help/thoughts would be appreciated.

Healthy living is hard, even if you don't have diabetes. When I was diagnosed I went through all the phases, anger, depression, denial, etc. Even now I am still in denial at times. But I realize that it's not just me. Even those who are healthy struggle to stay healthy - it's a decision not made any easier by clever food marketing, TV remote and cable TV, and all of life's conveniences.

You have to eat properly and exercise anyway even if you don't have diabetes. Diabetes is merely another reason to keep living heathily. If it's not diabetes, it could be something else.

How to get started? 1 step at a time. 5 minutes at a time. 1 spoonful at a time.

- Try walking for 5 minutes, then 10, then 15 minutes. If it's snowing or cold outside, just march in place while watching TV or brushing your teeth, or you can walk inside a shopping mall. Soon, you'll either want to walk longer, even run , or decide on activities that will keep you moving.

- Is there any activity that you have always wanted to try? Want to be a dancer? How about dancing in your bedroom for 15 minutes?

- Instead of drastically cutting down on food intake, do it slowly. This trick worked for me. Just be patient.

- Find ways to motivate yourself. I pay myself each time I run or swim. I keep the money in a piggy bank. It's nearly full and I can't wait to get myself something special for Christmas!

- Make 1 small change today and commit to doing that small change everyday until it becomes a habit. Then, make another small change until it becomes a habit. Soon, you'll be replacing your bad habits with good habits!

Good luck.

[TomB]

Girlrilla -
Sounds like you're treating your diabetes about the same way it was treated 40 years ago. Back then, it was a death sentence with loss of eyesight and amputations along the way. With today's medical advances in the treatment of diabetes, I find it awfully hard to understand why that is ignored. Perhaps you have other issues.
T

[verynicebecky]

The OP didn't say if she was on oral meds or on insulin. I am assuming she is on oral. Switching to insulin will make you pay attention. You sound like you want to change. Don't be afraid to go onto insulin. I began last Jan. It wasn't until I began using a sliding scale this past summer that things changed. I am not perfect. There are times when I am out and grab a bite to eat and then think, "I didn't bring my meter or any insulin." I just check my level when I get home and inject accordingly. I am not a perfect eater either, but I check my blood sugar at least three times a day and take the appropriate amount of insulin. As you can see from my last A1C on my sig., I must be doing something right.

[PrettynPurple]

I know what its like to have a hard time, I am not a good diabetic either, ummm for the last 2 weeks dinner has been corn tortillas cut into strips, fried and topped with grated parm cheese. It can be hard, moderation is the key but finding that balance is hard. Last year I reached my highest weight ever, 311lbs, I am down to 246lbs. I know I have more to lose, I have hit my plateau. I was diagnosed back in June 08. I hate veggies, won't eat most fruit. I love carbs, I have given up foods. Others I eat in moderation, I found this board today and I am hoping to find support here. Getting help from others that know and understand what you are going through helps.

[kmlpag]

Originally Posted by princesslinda

Welcome Girilla! Obviously, you recognize you have a problem, or you wouldn't be here. I have to say that there are many T2s out there just like yourself...though you won't find many here on the forum.

The thing about T2 diabetes is that you can basically do what you're doing and ignore it and do fine...for awhile, but rest assured, it will catch up with you.

My mom had T2 diabetes found at age 28 after the birth of my sister. She pretty much lived her life as if she were a non-diabetic. She ate what she wanted, had candy bars, bread, sweet tea, continued to be overweight. She said she'd rather have "quality of life over quantity," but in fact, she got neither. When she was 46, someone at work stepped on her toe and the nail became infected and didn't heal. She had to go to the hospital for IV antibiotics, but her circulation was compromised and she lost her toes, then her foot, and finally her leg to above the knee. She was fitted with a prosthesis, but never got used to it, spending most of her time in a wheelchair. At 48 she had a heart attack. By 50, she was legally blind from diabetic retinopathy, and at age 54, she died from renal failure, leaving behind a husband, 2 daughters and 2 lovely grandchildren.

I was diagnosed T2 at age 42. I knew I had to make sure I didn't follow in her footsteps.

Yes, its hard to constantly think about what you can eat, test your blood sugar several times a day, keep up with doctor's appointments.....but it's also hard to lose your leg, hard to give up driving because you can't see, and i'm sure it must be hard to leave those you love.

You have a choice. You deserve a long and happy life, and you can have this, just by making a few lifestyle changes. Living in denial is not going to keep the effects of diabetes away. You have it...its here to stay but you can work hard and minimize your risks of complications. Sure it's a struggle sometimes, what illness isn't?

I'm sorry if this sounds overly harsh..i'm not trying to be mean, but i've seen how your story can end..and it doesn't have to be that way.

You'll feel better than you ever thought you would once you get things under control. High blood sugar can negatively effect just about every system in your body. You can learn to adjust your diet, you can even get in the habit of exercise. I've lost around 80 lbs since diagnosis (still have a ways to go), and many here have lost even more. Take the support you can find here and change your life for the better, one day at a time.

OMG. I am sitting at my desk (I'm at work) crying after reading your story Linda. I am like Girlrilla, I pretty much don't pay attention to what I eat. I have cut out pop and sugar. I use splenda and only drink tea and water. Milk sometimes. I think I need to come on this forum everyday and just read, read, read. Maybe that will wake me up. I have 3 sons and a beautiful granddaughter that I want to see grow up. I am 46 years old and would like to live a lot longer!

[Caravaggio]

Originally Posted by kmlpag

OMG. I think I need to come on this forum everyday and just read, read, read. Maybe that will wake me up. I have 3 sons and a beautiful granddaughter that I want to see grow up. I am 46 years old and would like to live a lot longer!

We need to do everything we could to keep motivating ourselves as diabetes is a long-haul disease.

Motivation is one reason I'm hear. It's motivating to hear from and about people who wake up everyday to do what we ourselves do everyday, who have the same fears, anxieties and problems, and who are not selfish to share their experiences, information, support and, sometimes, just their presence. It's also empowering to share your story, thoughts, frustrations and joys.

[davef]

Originally Posted by Caravaggio

We need to do everything we could to keep motivating ourselves as diabetes is a long-haul disease.

Motivation is one reason I'm hear. It's motivating to hear from and about people who wake up everyday to do what we ourselves do everyday, who have the same fears, anxieties and problems, and who are not selfish to share their experiences, information, support and, sometimes, just their presence. It's also empowering to share your story, thoughts, frustrations and joys.

An excellent post, I think you have really captured the spirit of the forums.