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cemays
10-18-2006, 10:35 AM
I would like to introduce myself. I have been on this board before about 4 – 6 years ago. So I am returning.

I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes at the age of 34. (Over 10 years ago now) I had been going to Dr’s for 2 years prior to that for numb feet. I have not trusted Dr’s since that time. As an example of why is because when I told a neurologist that I was “thirsty all the time, extremely tired, and a 30 lb weight lose without trying in 2 months” she said “The symptoms cannot be related to your numb feet” I feel Dr.s are doing exactly what the name implies, they “practice” but can’t get anything right. My mom had already said “Go see a Dr., your diabetic!” when she heard the symptoms. They immediately put me on oral meds and I stopped drinking pop, and tried to cut back on the sugars. I had one visit to a nutritionalist and she wanted me to stay with the stardard recommended diet 50% carb, 20% fat and 30% protein.

My mom mentioned ‘Protein Power’ about 4 years later and how she had heard about it on the radio. I bought a copy on a business trip and read it. I then read “Protein Power Lifeplan”, Dr. Bernsteins “Diabetes Solution”, “Atkis Diet”, and just about all other low carb books. (I am an avid reader of what my wife calls “good for you” books). During that time and when I was on the board I realized that this way of eating helped. After doing it one month back then I had my triglycerides drop to 160. Usually they run 400 even when on Dr. prescribed medicines.

About 2 years ago, I asked to go on insulin, because my blood sugar was running over 200 on a regular basis and the oral meds were not helping. I was not following this way of eating stictly then. I am now on 80 units of insulin every day and I am sure the Dr. will want me to increase that amount, because of where my blood sugar level is. The only thing that has ever helped was the low sugar and low starch diet.

I have also read several books about the Alkaline vs. Acidity of the body. Typically the Alkaline foods are also low gylcemic. I have tried some of them, but they do not seem to help like sticking to the Protein Power Plan.

So I am going to challenge myself and hopefully find accountability (something that I need) on the board for the following goals to be accomplished by following this way of eating. By March 16, 2007, I want the following to have occurred: Body Fat 10%, 30 day blood sugar average 90, 12 day blood sugar average 90, These next two are secondary goals: Weight 180 lbs, Insulin Usage 0 units. Presently the numbers are like this. Body Fat 34%, 30 day blood sugar average 230, 12 day blood sugar average 200, Weight 235 lbs, Insulin Usage 80 units. I made the last two secondary goals because I might not meet them. If I gain muscle, I may still be at 10% body fat but be at 190 lbs weight. Also depending on how badly I have destroyed my pancreas due to the oral meds, I may not ever be completely off of insulin. I am going to post weekly on my progress and try to keep a ticker symbol for each of these. Let me know how you think I am doing.

Thanks

Mitra
10-18-2006, 10:41 AM
Welcome :). I joined the old board in 2003 - must have just missed you :(. Your goals sound great - though it always makes me nervous to see a fixed date. Our bodies have a way of following their own timetables :rolleyes:. I'll look forward to watching those tickers sliding to the right :cool:.

SherryJ
10-18-2006, 10:42 AM
Welcome, cemays! :)

The best thing I can tell you is to JUMP INTO THE OCTOBER CHALLENGE... you will get the best of care, and lots of encouragement!

First of all, read this:

http://72.32.36.211/forum/showthread.php?t=1500

And, then, if you're brave enough, :D, start posting on the "daily challenge" threads... :)

Sherry

kpow
10-18-2006, 10:58 AM
Welcome back, as one lost sheep to another one. I just recently came back to the fold! :)

Kathy

cemays
10-18-2006, 11:10 AM
Thanks for the welcome. The reason I had a fixed date is because if I don't challenge myself with a fixed day, I will just continually slide to the right. The ultimate in procrastination. For the past two years, I kept saying I will get started with this way of eating and then just put it off. By putting it in writing and giving me a date and accountability to work towards helps me work more consistently toward the goal. Eating this way is definately work. It is like a fish swimming upstream. Narrow is the way to life, but broad is the way that leads to destruction.

Thanks

gitfiddle
10-18-2006, 11:12 AM
CEMays, I'm glad you're back and I think you have an admirable plan. Like Mitra, I think setting a success date would not be the best thing for me, but of course you know yourself best.

I'm type 2 diabetic and have had success with PP. I'm in it for life, and I'm a work in progress, but my lipids and bs are normal. I'm still working on the weight.

There are plenty of opportunities for accountability here. Show up and participate and enjoy the support we're famous for! :)

Shadow
10-18-2006, 03:17 PM
Welcome, cemays! It sounds like you've got a plan all laid out and are raring to go. Yeah for you!

joanneb608
10-18-2006, 03:19 PM
Hi Cemay!

Welcome, if you need acountability in a nice way (unless Billie gets out her wet noodle) you've come to the right place!

My view is, read either your PP book or the PP life plan book, and follow it pretty much to the letter, get the prescribed supplements too (I like what PP lifeplan suggests for those). For me, after my first 3 days or so it actually becomes EASY to stay with it because even from the beginniing, you're not hungry. In PP lifeplan, they also have a table in the back that shows where you can "up" some supplement amounts to help your balances better if you're diabetic, so that would help you specifically. You might already be familiar with all this anyway.

I have found it to be so much easier (and FUN) to be able to participate in this forum and especially the October challenge. Everyone is super great and encouraging.

We're all "recruits" and Major Billie is the one who the whip! I think there are plans for a November challenge too so you'll be well on your way!:D

Nean
10-19-2006, 10:49 AM
Welcome! But I do have to say, man you're settin' pretty high goals for 6 months. Not that you can't achieve them, but you're gonna need to toe the line. Better head on over to that challenge group. :razz: And be careful - this WOL does decrease your blood sugars/ insulin needs FAST sometimes. :eek:

cemays
10-19-2006, 05:13 PM
Once again thanks for the welcome. Most of you have said that I have set very high goals. I realize those are high goals and if I don't hit all of them that is fine. The ones that I am willing to give up are the weight loss and the no insulin usage although significantly reduce the amount of insulin is a must. I could also not be quite as strict on body fat but I would still like to be close to my goal. I want to make significant progress on all of them. Nean, I realize that this way of eating will lower blood sugar/insulin levels quickly. That is the most important reason I am doing it. If I don't restrict the sugars and starches I cannot control my blood sugar no matter what the Dr. puts me on. That includes additional insulin. I even tried to go up in Carbs to about 100 grams per day and the insulin was not controlling it. I really think it has a lot to do with the liver more so than the pancreas. Let me give you some numbers just so you all can see how I have done so far. These are my blood sugar numbers so far and how they have responded. All numbers are pre breakfast 10/16 315 mg/dl, 10/17 162 mg/dl, 10/18 158 mg/dl, 10/19 110 mg/dl. If fact I have taken my blood sugar 4 times today and none have been above 119 mg/dl and I only took half the insulin this morning as what I was doing. Monday was a high I had not seen before. I had been seeing them go up and were consistantly about 200 in the morning. I have not had any sugar or starch since Monday morning. Although last night my wife served Sphaghetti and Meatballs. I did not have the Sphaghetti and the sauce was low carb. The meatballs were preprocessed and it sent my blood sugar up to about 200 in 2 hours after my blood sugar had been around 150 all day. I excercised and it came back down, but I have to be careful about hidden carbs in that as well. It will be this weekend that will be tough, going to my sons football games and all the other activities that we do on the weekend running around and eating out. I also believe I am starting to get the low-carb headache that occurs when you go off of carbs initially although I did not get it the last time I tried this way of eating. Hopefully it won't last long. I'll have to determine how much insulin I need to take tonight. It is the slow acting insulin so I shouldn't bottom out since my early morning blood sugar has always been the highest so I am expecting a rise by tomorrow morning. I was surprised at where it was this morning. I was expecting it to be around 150. I will need to get over to the challenge area. I might post over there tomorrow morning how I am doing and what my blood sugar is. Like I said that is what I am most concerned about and the amount of insulin I am using.