My journey so far

[Voyager1]

I have been diabetic for something like 22 yrs, but have always behaved like |I didn't. I could not accept my diagnosis and struggled to make any changes in my diet or lifestyle. Surprise, surprise, I had a heart attack 9 years ago and was given a stent. It was a wake up call, but I still hit the snooze button. I managed very well on the medication, but really hated going onto insulin. As I have got older, I find I get really tired and have lost my 'spark'. I want very much to get it back, and lose four stones of excess weight. It has been my New Years resolution for too long, so I want to do it this year, before I retire in September. Here we go!

[Bazza1234]

There are worse things than dying!! - for example getting Diabetic Retinopaphy.

[Voyager1 in reply to Bazza1234]

Hi Bazza1234, yes,I've got that as well (and early cataracts). I've had 3 lots of laser therapy and my eyesight is definitely deteriorating/ You would think after the first session I would have had the sense to wake up and smell the roses, but no, I still acted as if I was invincible! I think (I hope) that I've finally realised that things must change, and I'm doing my best to manage better, so that nothing worse happens, like neuropathy and so on. Wish me luck!

[NathanBlau in reply to Voyager1]

I really do wish you well. Take a look at Bazza123's posts about running; here is an inspiration for us all

[Jinky07]

Hi Voyager1 glad I read your message. I was diagnosed Type 2 just over a year ago. Buried my head in the sand and plodded along as normal. In September I took a HA, I am 47. When I got out of hospital I was full of plans to change my life around for the sake of my 3 kids. Knew it wouldn’t happen overnight so set my self a small target each week and attended rehab etc. I had a family health problem week before Christmas when my mum took Heart Failure. I don’t know if this or if I’m using this as an excuse has completely threw me back in to my old bad bad habits again. Since weekend before Christmas I have had a half bottle of wine and a wee baileys every night. I keep telling myself that it’s the festive period and in the New Year I will get back on the right track again. If you find a special motivator or something that gives a good kick up the back side pass it my way as truth is right now I need any help I can get. You would think looking at my kids would be motivation enough but I honestly don’t know why.

I hope for you this time your New Years resolution works.

Take care

Sharon

[Voyager1 in reply to Jinky07]

Hi Jinky07, I was sorry to hear about your mum, these life events can often make us fall back on old comforting habits, but for the sake of your own health I hope you can alter your actions to ensure that you don't jeopardise your future. None of us are perfect but maybe each stumble still carries us forward until we end up on the right path. Trying to set a good example to our children is important, but allowing them to see that we are not infallible, but keep on trying anyway is a great life lesson. All the best.

Andrea

[Chappychap]

There's a frequent poster called Michael who often gets right to the core of an issue.

He's had diabetes for many years, and in a conversation about motivation he said what keeps him focussed are hospital visits where he sees the diabetics who have fallen by the way side, they're the ones with the leg ulcers and the limb amputations.

I suspect obesity is the new smoking, and needs to be treated in the same way. There's recently been a tax added to sugary drinks, but maybe that needs to be increased and extended to take aways, confectionary, biscuits, and cakes. We could price out sugar, bad fats, and processed foods in the same way tobacco was priced out.

Smokers were made to feel like pariahs, maybe instead of being paranoid about "fat shaming" we should be more candid that obese people are not just killing themselves they're also expecting the rest of society to pick up their hospital bills.

And the horrific medical impact of smoking wasn't hidden away, perhaps we need something similar with obesity, and graphically show the gangrene and amputations that obesity can lead to.

I'm in the same boat as you guys by the way. I'm not obese but I'm definitely overweight, I was scared off smoking many years ago, so maybe the same aggressive tactics would scare me off over eating? What's really sobering is that at 61 I suspect I'm in the last chance saloon. If I don't lose weight now then I may suffer joint injuries that will make exercise difficult. Take out exercise and my weight will go up rather than down. I believe there's a tipping point for health, and if you stray beyond it then you're trapped in a vicious spiral of decline with no possibility of clawing your way back.

[jimmyq in reply to Chappychap]

"if you stray beyond it then you're trapped in a vicious spiral of decline with no possibility of clawing your way back."

After all our discussions?

I have clawed my way back from being told "There is nothing we can do" to ideal BP, ideal cholesterol, low pulse, almost medication free (1 tablet left), improved cognitive function in less than a year. My wife's allergies have all disappeared, we were in a house with cats on Christmas Day with no reactions. All down to a Whole Food Plant Based (WFPB) diet.

[Chappychap in reply to jimmyq]

Jimmy, you've missed the point. I thought I'd been clear that the "vicious spiral of decline" I talked about is when an overweight/obese person suddenly finds themselves afflicted with joint or other health problems, that then precludes them from taking exercise. As a consequence of their even more sedentary lifestyle their weight then goes up not down, and they begin to slide downhill even faster.

I'm delighted you're suited to your plant based diet. However, as I've pointed out before, the science is divided over different diets. But, there's a growing consensus that each individual may well have a different optimum diet that reflects their own particular genetics, life style, cultural orientation, etc. So even if a plant based diet is right for you, it may well be totally wrong for someone else.

[jimmyq in reply to Chappychap]

It definitely wouldn't suit everyone. I saw my nephew over Christmas. I don't hink he has eaten a vegetable in his life. Thin as a rake though.

[MichaelJH Heart Star in reply to Chappychap]

I think Chappychap had said most of it. As said I have been Type I for decades, well over half a century. The early clinics I attended were scary as I was usually one of the last ones seen so had plenty of time to observe - maybe it was s deliberate ploy. One memory is of a nineteen year old dying of diabetes related kidney failure - yes only nineteen! Often because Type IIs are often diagnosed late in the day complications may develop earlier. I was involved in running a support group for a decade. Two regulars I got to know were Type II. The older one followed the rules and a few years ago was still doing short term contracts overseas despite being in his seventies. The younger one at the same time had failing vision, double BKA and was being prepared for dialysis! In the end it is your choice but after a certain point things are irreversible! One of the best investments any Type II can make is a BG meter - it is usually free for anyone treated with insulin.

I agree obesity is the new health epidemic. It's one thing to be overweight but to get to the point where you are nearly immobile because of a BMI in the obese/morbidly obese is outside my frame of reference! It's life limiting and limits what the person can do with it!

[Kaz747]

I was listening to this podcast this morning on my walk. I’m not diabetic but I listen to a lot of health/lifestyle podcasts. I admire both of these British doctors. You may find what they say about sleep and stress and it’s relationship with diabetes. It’s more than just diet and exercise needed to reverse the condition. All the best.

itunes.apple.com/au/podcast...

[dunestar]

Yeh, Voyager1 I wish you well in your quest to lose weight. You can do it! I'm on a similar journey (but I'm not diabetic). The important thing is to find a way of eating which works for you and is sustainable in the long term. You have to devote a bit more time to thinking about your food. Before I didn't consider it a priority, I didn't plan my shopping/eating, so far too often I ended up in the supermarket grabbing inappropriate stuff.

Good luck!

[Voyager1 in reply to dunestar]

Thanks, Dunestar. I wish you success too. Let us know how you are doing. Andrea

[Chappychap in reply to dunestar]

Excellent point. In particular I totally endorse the message of a diet "which works for you". It's become a cliche that the vast majority of people abandon diets, and any weight lost is subsequently regained. As an example I understand that over 80% of Vegans abandon Veganism within a few years.

So you must be correct, the fundamental, number one priority in selecting a diet or eating regime must surely be simply finding something that maximises the chances of you sticking to it!

You'll be far better off on a not so great diet that you can adhere to for ten years, than you would be on an absolutely amazing diet that you ditch after ten weeks!

[jimmyq]

I recommend that you watch the film "Forks Over Knives". It will show you that you can clear out your arteries. It is on Netflix, YouTube and a website of the same name. It is about medical dietary research, including a massive study of 800,000 Chinese people. You might find it helpful, I did. It discusses heart disease and diabetes.

[Nathan53]

Hello Voyager I can't add anything by way of practical suggestions that hasn't already been offered in many of the super replies to you. I did however want to say that many of us have done things in life when we were well aware of the risk etc - it's a human weakness in some of us. But don't beat yourself up it's never too late to take a different path but yes it does have to 'different' and will take perseverance and determination. You can do it. Good luck and keep us informed.

[Bazza1234]

I have posted this video many times over the years - but it is a wonderful example of what can be done -- "Arthur's transformation" youtube.com/watch?v=qX9FSZJ...(Not working as expected?)

[isobelhannah18 in reply to Bazza1234]

First time I've seen this video-fantastic and thanks for sharing it.

[Voyager1 in reply to Bazza1234]

Wow, I was blown away by this mans achievement. What courage and willpower he showed. Yes, inspiring and motivating, so glad I saw it. Thanks

[Routemaster]

I had never seen the video. It is an inspiration to us all.