Any diabetics using the FB?

[llchevy56]

Wondering if there are any diabetics out there who are using the FB and working towards weight loss?  I'm insulin dependent and trying to lose weight but more importantly trying to regain my health and physical strength while balancing everything.  A challenge a day! Love to hear your stories....

[esoap]

Oh my 13 is your 125 

[sbgrimes]

HI!  I'm a type 2.  Been since 1999.  Hard a heck to loose weight when on insulin.  I was injecting 5 times a day!  Had a fitbit band since christmas.  Also had stomach surgery last summer.  NO MORE INSULIN!!!, but 1000 mg of Metformin a day still.  Betcha there are alot of us out there.

[pulidobl]

I just won my Fitbit at work today.  Yes, I am a Type II Diabetic since 2005. Newbie here. I am also saying Hello!

[sbgrimes]

Hi! and welcome to the fit bit-ers!

[SMBII]

Hi All,

I found out I was diabetic Feb 20, with a trip to the ER and an overnight in ICU followed by a second night in gen pop at hospital. On Glipizide now and my Dr wants to monitor everything and see if I can to Metformin soon. So that will be good, see how it goes. Found out that you can log glucose on Fitbit so went out and got one. See how it goes only on day 3 now. Good Luck to everyone!

[sbgrimes]

As a new Diabetic, they should have set you up w a monitor and taught
you about blood sugars. Have your Dr set you up w a nutritionist and
diabetic educator. Most insurances cover this w a new diagnosis.
Welcome to the club. Not the end of the world, but a whole new world of
things to keep a check on, (eyes, skin, feet, teeth) I was diagnosed in
1999 after being told I have "high" sugars. I went on insulin about 12
years later and was sticking myself 5 times a day. Now, totally off
insulin, still on metformin, but under good control. You need to learn
about your A1C number too. This is an average measurement of glucose
(sugar) in your blood stream over time. Usually measures the past 3
months. There is a lot to learn. Not insurmountable, but you need
educators or a diabetes program.
Good Luck
Susan

[SMBII]

The Dr at hospital wrote script for meter and strips along with the glipizide. They showed me how to use and told me to test 4 times a day. Trying to set up appointment with educator. A1C was 17 during my stay at the hospital. Trying to learn as much as I can. Doing good I think when I went in sugar was 575. Now I am between 100 and 130 most of the time. Keeping carbs down and cardio up. All in all after 3 weeks I feel like I have done well. Thank you Susan for the good luck wishes. I hope that everything keeps going well for you.

[karen46203]

Hi I am new to this thread.  I was diagnosed as a type 2 diabetic in September 2010.  I use a fitbit to see how many steps I get in per day.  Anyone can add me as a friend if they want.  Even though it has been 3 years since the diagnosis I still struggle with the numbers and what I should eat and not eat.

[DaJmon]

Purchased the FitBit to help me with my weight reduction efforts.  Within a week or so after receiving it, was diagnosed as type 2 (A1c 7.8).  Doc prescribed metformin and victoza.  They seem to help with BG readings (range 84-144), and while I know that's important, I don't think the meds will be as effective as weight reduction.  The FitBit is a great tool for weight reduction and a companion for controlling BG.  What I've found is that being 'religious' about entering data into the FitBit gives me a great journal to look back on and determine what caused my blood sugar to rise and therefore avoid or minimize intake of that food.

I have a longer road than a lot of folks because, frankly, I never saw in the mirror what the numbers on the glucometer and the scale prove: I was a master at denial.  So....with the combination of monitoring my BG, never missing a weigh-in on the Aria, and keeping detailed food records, the FitBit does the rest of the hard work in monitoring and reporting my daily/weekly/monthly/annual progress.  I'm 'only' 25 pounds toward my overall 165 pound weight loss goal, but it is patently obvious that I was incapable of making any progress on my own without 1) FitBit 2) unfortunate but totally preventable T2DB diagnosis.

Keeping my expectations high and my goals in small increments.  Fingers crossed!

Joel

[przemmaj]

Hi Everyone :),

I'm looking for diabetics using FB as I'm the one. I also started small research project about active diabetics and I'm looking for people willing to talk about the problems more. Short brief what I'm trying to do below. If anybody is interested and keen to talk/share opinions/feedback - please get back in touch 🙂

Diabetes Lab is an initiative that is going to tackle the problem of control of diabetes type 1. We want to build 'Siri for diabetics'. We want to start from proposing our first feature to active people. The proposed feature is data focused. We rely on the input data such as glucose levels, types of insulin, insulin doses and physical activity of the user. Proposed output is real-time information about insulin dose adjustment, which would let the user keep glucose level in a good range. Described feature relies a lot on the input data, that is why we focus not only on the data provided by the user by hand, but also on the data received from external sensors such as wristbands (Jawbone UP, Fitbit, Nike), continuous glucose monitoring devices, insulin pumps and mobile devices (accelerometers, GPS).

[Kuila]

I have a similar story. Thin as a rail until about 35, then hovered around 135-140 (I am 5'8) when dx'd with type II. So never overweight! I maintained at 120 since then and reversed the labs. Now at 55 my labs are climbing again and I'm still 120. Consult with MD and nutritionist they suggest getting back down to pre-baby weight 110-115. Otherwise, I will need to start meds. I don't want to! Really struggling with it, and people are so MEAN about it.It is very hard. I lift weights, run, get in 10K+ steps per day...eating about 1300 kcal/day. 

[Spang]

I am a diabetic and was just moved from insulin to Metformin (type 2). I have found that since I use FB and track my eating as well as activity that I have been maintaining a BG of around 98 for 14 days. I have strted to go to an endocrinologist and have found that her knowledge is a big help. I have been a diabetic since 1992.

[DKK]

Last Friday I was told I'm Type 2 diabetic with a A1C 6.1, fasting BS 109.  My mom died of diabetic complication in 2008 and I've been considered "pre-diabetic" for a couple of years.  My doctor has given me 4 months of diet and exercise before considering going on medication.

Here's the deal:  I know about dieting having been a WW member since 1978.  Hit lifetime status twice but am now 25# over my lifetime goal.  I am not an exerciser!!!  Bought a FitBit and an Aria scale in April.  I've been trying to get in at least 20 minutes of walking each day per the doctor's instructions.

But.........haven't had any counseling yet and although I know about carb units, not sure how many for me.  I'm 5'7", weight 200#

Any others out there that are newly diagnosed (or a pro at it) that could provide a little guidance.  Right now I'm following WW's simply filling plan which is more about "shopping around the outside of the grocery store" type of foods: veggies, fruits, lean proteins, healthy grains, no processed foods per se

Thanks in advance!!

[Spang]

Having been a diabetic since 1992 I know that it is not easy to get in the groove. Any exercise at all for 15 to 20 min. three times a week, best if you can do every day, will help control you BG levels. I have been told that a meal is 30 plus carbs and a snack is 15 carbs. I have fond that them more protein I have the better. The protein helps to keep the levels level with out as many peeks.

I just recently went to a endocrinologist and have had more success than ever before. My BG average for 14 days is 98. That is the best it has been . I am waiting of an AC1 test -- in July to see how everything is working. 

Check your feet daily -- amputations are one of the things that happens with our control and have an eye doctor give you a diabetic check. This is one where they take pictures of your eye and then track your eye changes -- blindness is a complication.

[DKK]

Thanks. My mom lost both legs, went into kidney failure, heart issues, etc before passing away. I know how serious this is. Need to meet with a dietician I guess. Doctor told me to find a plan I can live with forever- to check the internet. There's so much info it's overwhelming. And I think my hubby thinks it will all pass. (As he brings home 4 cinnamon rolls yesterday)

[MamaBear22]

Hello all,  I'm new to Diabetes and the FB.  I was diagnosed with Type 1 in April and immediately started trying to educate myself and change my lifestyle (so hard!).  My A1C is 6.8 and I am no on insulin, oral med only.  I have taken off 13 pounds (10 of that I gained in the past year).  My daughter motivates me with her 31 pound loss and was my fitbit inspiration as she has used it for about 6 months.  I went on a medically referred exercise program and meet with a trainer once a week.  I'm trying to start by working out 3x week and still trying to have my first 10,000 FB day.  Maybe today is the day!  Good luck to all who are battling this disease.

[LPB]

MamaBear22:

If you are taking oral agents, you have Type 2 Diabetes, not Type 1. If you have Type 1 Diabetes, your pancreas does not make any insulin and you can't live without insulin. If you are taking oral agents, your panreas is still working, just not efficiently.

[Southernkiss47]

I have been diabetic for 2  almost 3 years now, I started on my weight lost journey September of this year. I have lost a total pf 52lbs so far, my goal is to get off of the medication  totally. I had horrible blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetic and over weight. A true walking time bomb. This is the first time in years I have been under 300 pounds. I have been working hard to continue to lose and it seems to me that I have to work harder everyday. I go to the gym  Monday - Friday and I do 30 minutes on the bike at level 7 and challenge myself to gain more distance and speed during the same amount of time as I increase my levels, then I do 20 minutes of free weights working on my arm and back and abs then I finish with 20 minutes on the elliptical on level 8 I have set a personal record of  minute of pedalling backward not an easy task but I fell great with every goal I reach for myself. I use to struggle with my levels dropping really low before the weight lose but now I do not seem to be having much of a problem either way. My pressure is so normal until it scares me sometimes. I try to add new activities to my schedule that challenges me and are fun so it does not seem like working out but just having fun. I do not see the lost in myself the way my friends and family do most of the time, I still see myself as the same but I feel better. I am walking more everyday, not afraid to take the stairs and set little personal goals everyday. I am also the first most people want to have on their teams for weight lose, lol. It feels good to be picked first for a change, I say this to all if you have any weight to lose, if I who was too over weight to be considered for the weight lost surgery can do it we all can. Do not beat your self up, just find other ways to make it happen, I have learned this is not a one size fits all, quick or easy process, it is a life change. Start with being honest with yourself. It did not happen over night and it will not happen over night.  Thanks for listening.

[LakesView]

Lonnie:  Thanks for the tip about walking after meals.  I just started insulin in February and gained 10 lbs and I'm not happy about that at all!  I got my Fitbit Flex today and am excited about getting started and getting motivated.  Normally, I do pretty well with my diet but lately I've been slipping.  Staying motivated to move is the hard part for me, but I really like your idea and will give it a shot.  Thanks for posting.

GL

[LakesView]

You are doing an awesome job!  Keep up the good work!

GL