Struggling Newbie

[WoollyOne]

I’m a newbie. Morbidly obese with type 2 diabetes. I struggle to get started or keep motivated when I start. Feel very alone and wonder if I’ll ever do this. Any advice or tips welcome. Hoping support here will help me do it this time.

[Hidden]

Hi WoollyOne , I love your name! Well you will certainly find support here. I’m sorry you feel so alone. There are hundreds of us here happy to talk. Someone from the Admin team will be along at some point to help you work out how to get the best from this site. You have taken the first step and embarked on what can be a tough journey, but however long it takes, you will only fail if you give up. So think about what regime might suit you best - diets don’t work, a new lifestyle is for good. Some people choose to count calories, no foods banned, just calorie counted - that worked for me, others do LCHF (low carbs high fat), others do 5:2 or other types of intermittent fasting. The most important thing in my opinion, is to cut out any highly processed foods, avoid all snacking, and cook proper food (doesn’t need to be fancy) all from scratch. It can be done, you can read loads of success stories here of people who were type 2 diabetes or morbidly obese and managed to lose weight. It won’t happen quickly, and there will be times you fall off the wagon, but ask for help, get back on that wagon and just keep going. I wish you the very best. 😘🐑

[BridgeGirl Administrator 2 stone]

Hello, WoollyOne

You replied to another member last month and were pointed in the direction of some useful information but maybe you've lost it.

The important thing to know is that type 2 diabetes can be reversed and we have members here who have reversed it.

The next thing to know is that, in the case of type 2 diabetes, it's not about calorie counting or "cutting back" on what you eat, it's about making the right choices about what you eat. In particular, cutting down on carbohydrates and getting your energy from healthy fats. The good news is that it's a very enjoyable way of eating. You don't have to count calories, or anything else, just cut out those carbohydrates that are turning to sugar in your bloodstream and follow the guidance below.

I'll give you these links again. Please take your time reading them and have confidence that, by following the appropriate way of eating for someone with type 2 diabetes, you can see an improvement in your condition and will lose weight at the same time. Here goes

This is written by a GP who has had great success helping patients reverse their diabetes dietdoctor.com/wp-content/u...

This explains it further and is from the National Obesity Forum phcuk.org/wp-content/upload...

This introduces the low carb, high fat plan (the fat is only high in relation to the low regimes we've been told were good for us) dietdoctor.com/low-carb

You'll also get advice from diabetes.co.uk and from the lchf forum healthunlocked.com/lchf-diet

If you join our Daily Diary and start using it to plan your meals, you'll find plenty of members following this way of eating and can share ideas as you go along. Here is Sunday's Diary healthunlocked.com/nhsweigh... and you will find a new one each day in Pinned Posts and in Events.

Start making the changes now and you'll soon see, and feel, a difference

[WoollyOne in reply to BridgeGirl]

Thank you! I did lose the links as not used to forums in general. Will make sure I read them. Hopefully they will help me focus

[BridgeGirl Administrator 2 stone in reply to WoollyOne]

Take your time. Come back with any questions. I'd never been on a forum before this one (not been on another one since, either). There's so much support and information around here so do make the most of it. I'll look out for you during the week

I forgot to say, the HU app doesn't give access to all parts of the forum. If you are using it, I suggest you uninstall it and access the forum via the website

[lea57-49r Maintainer 3st 7lbs]

Welcome WoollyOne. I too love your username and your avatar (I think that's what it's called). I wish you well and do come onto the forum as often as possible - it will help to keep you motivated.

[Pachyderm1 3kg]

Hello WoollyOne and welcome.

When I reversed my diabetes, one of the things that helped me stay motivated was regular testing of my blood glucose levels. This was how I discovered which foods affected me badly and which were ok. Anything that sends your blood glucose levels high will also make you fat, as well as making you feel ill. Most GPs will not prescribe the blood testing kit but you can find cheap ones.

Of course, not everyone likes the idea of pricking their own fingers but you soon get used to it. You can find lots of info on this from diabetes.co.uk which BridgeGirl has included in her list of links for you.

[BridgeGirl Administrator 2 stone in reply to Pachyderm1]

That's really helpful, and good to hear you reversed your diabetes. It should give Woolly One some hope that they can do the same

[WoollyOne in reply to Pachyderm1]

Thank you Pachyderm1 its good to know someone who’s reversed it. I have got a testing kit so it’s a start 😊

[Tiggerr]

Welcome WoollyOne

Lots of great info there and if you have any questions, just shout out.

[CherryN 2st 7lbs]

Welcome WoollyOne , hope you don’t feel alone be for long, there’s lots of people on here. I’m also morbidly obese and am working on it slowly. I’m not thinking too far ahead as that is too depressing, just doing a little at a time. I started off cutting out crisps/chocolates/cakes/biscuits all those things I’d snack on at night. Then I reduced portion sizes and try to prepare more healthy meals. Now I’m building up my exercise which was really really hard to start with but it’s surprising how soon it gets easier. I’m still only doing 20-30 minutes at a time but when I started last month I struggled to do 10 minutes. That might work for you but I think you have to find what suits you personally. Good luck on your journey.

[gman1961 Restart April 2024]

You will never be alone on here ,massive support anytime that you need it .

Open 24/7 365 days of the year..

And you will and can do it .

Good luck

Gary

[Hidden]

Come on here every day WoollyOne for advice, support, friendship, consolations, congratulations, and keep coming, and slowly but surely, you will get there, I guarantee it!

[WoollyOne]

Thanks for all the support, feel more positive already. Will definitely look on here everyday

[S11m]

Hi, WoollyOne , welcome.

If you "slim smart" weight loss is not so hard! It is not all about motivation and masochism.

Some of us here find that what works, for weight loss and diabetes, is a combination of The Low Carbohydrate, High-Fat (LCHF) diet (see the forum here on Health Unlocked) and Not Snacking All Day AKA Intermittent Fasting (IF). See:

Newbies IF FAQ:

healthunlocked.com/fasting-...

The Fasting and Furious Forum, here on Health Unlocked:

healthunlocked.com/fasting-...

[Lilaclady24 Restart Sept 2023]

It’s hard to start something and especially hard when you sense that pain and sacrifice are coming at you. But it doesn’t have to be miserable in any way. See the great advice given by Trimmerteacher and others and do start reading and learning and there is no reason for you not to thrive on here as many of us have. I found IF—Intermittent Fasting—most helpful in stopping my near constant snacking. I do 16:8 and find eating all food over an 8 hour period very feasible. For motivation, turn to this site and get inspired by the efforts of others to walk the same path you are on and you will be impressed by their honesty, tenacity and success. Good luck and I’ll keep an eye on your progress.

[toomuchwool 6lbs]

You are never alone in this forum! Advice and support is always on hand. It's a long, sometimes tedious journey but approach your weight loss in small manageable chunks and it won't seem so daunting. I think of it a month at a time and reward myself with a non foodie treat if I attain my target weight loss

If I don't, I still come on here and vent!- without fail there will always be people to pick me up and set back on track 😊

Good luck!

[Kaaz7]

It's all down to YOU🤗 to start with baby steps by making changes with your food intake.( Reduce white bread intake & changing it to wholemeal)

Cooking for yourself & most of all planning 3 meals a day .

Taking up exercise again baby steps ...do at home , with a friend is better.

It's so hard try using S.M.A.R.T goals to set in place planning & positive mental attitude. S= Specific

M= Measured , A = Attainable, R= Realistic , T= Timed .

I'm too T2, morhibly obese, other health conditions .... I can't do it on my own (I've tried for so many years) I've joined Slimming world not a raging success but I keep going and I am planning & cooking more than I ever did. I use the S.M.A.R.T goals for everything to help MOTIVATE .

Remember baby steps this is long term not over night. To reach success. Many Successful Positive Energises To U 🤗💪👊👌🤘👣🌟🦄

[largelady]

Hi woolly one please don't get downhearted. It's a very hard thing to diet long term. What I do i have a notebook and write everything I eat and put the calories down. I take one day at a time and if I go over my calories. I try harder the next day. I was doing really well but have Ha an accident in the last week which has left me unable to take any excercise. Good luck and please keep trying x

[Hidden]

Hi WoollyOne, and welcome it's great on this forum you get great support everyone is so lovely.

I like you signed up to get my weight down. Type 2 diabetic was on insulin 3 injections a day 2 metforman and another tablet to make me wee out sugar.

I started on here may and I'm no longer on my injections all I take is 2 metforman a day.

I've lost 4 stone 4lb up to now.

I'm on LCHF low carb high good fat.

My goal is 10 stone and I will still be over weight. I have to do it. I have lots of other health problems. Thing is I can never go back to eating carbs cause that's the main thing why I could not lose my weight

I wish you luck in your weight loss journey 🌷

[BridgeGirl Administrator 2 stone in reply to Hidden]

Thank you, you've replied on WoollyOne's old post but she should see it