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....

[butterfly1205]

Ok to be clear I NEVER stated that I stopped my insulin. I am an educated NURSE. I have had this chronic illness for many years. Please don't misinterpret What I have said on this forum. This is how I feel and what I do. I am not instructing others at all. These were my first and will be My last posts. I don't have time for high and mighty people who think they know better than what I have experienced for myself under a doctors supervision. I came here for support not criticism

[GoldaT]

Hi, Trazina.  Keep on working at it.  You're on the right track.  Hoping you'll find your FitBit as helpful as I'm finding mine.  Which one will you be getting????  I have the FitBit Flex and am very happy with it even though it doesn't count stairs, but it does count steps!!!!!!  Keep on steppin and best of luck to you.

[GoldaT]

Which FitBit did you get????  Just curious.  My Flex is keeping me motivated and I'm working on "stepping" up my step results.  I'm hoping to lose 48 pounds by this time next year, if not sooner.  Syncing my steps and my caloric intake is helping and watching these numbers is also motivating me.  G.

[LewWagner]

Golda & Butterfly,

Kudos on your accomplishments and sticking to it!

[butterfly1205]

I have the flex and love it. Plus I also got the scale

[butterfly1205]

Thank you! I lost 10 lbs, 4.4% body fat in the past 3 weeks. I am so happy!

[CalgaryMac]

I was diagnosed with Type II in July 2014. I have been a very active person most of my life and never had weight problems - usually I was under weight. The weight gain has been over the last 6 years and followed our moving to a new home. I want to be more active and not return to a gym (been there and done that). I am hoping that the fit bit will provide a record of my activity but also motivate me to be closer to the norms for people in my age group (I am 62). I also have atrial fibrillation which has affected my activities but I am slowly gaining the ability to walk further and further. Although it is only 2 km at the moment, that is significantly better than the .5 km that was able to do when diagnosed. I am on a swank of medications for my heart, blood pressure, and other things but am relying on nutrition and activity to manage my diabetes. So far, my sugars are less than 7.0 for lunch and dinner but usually anywhere from 6.8 to 11 in the morning. WE are working on it.

[butterfly1205]

Yes We are! Best of luck to you on your journey!

[LewWagner]

It's been about 4 months now since I got down to my target weight of 170 lbs and been off all my T2D meds.  I'm maintaining an average 99 glucose which equates to around 5.1 A1C (less than the 5.7 for staying below ADA levels for diabetes).

In case you're interested, here're a couple good URLs on calculating your A1C or visa versa:

A1C & Glucose Conversion Calculator

A1C / Glucose Conversion Table

[GoldaT]

As a type 2 diabetic on insulin, I'd be interested in learning how to log glucose on FitBit --- didn't know this could be done.  I have the FitBit Flex ............. how do I log glucose????  Also, how is it going with your FitBitf????  I love mine and all I can log with it.  Glucose log would be an extra bonus.  Good luck to you.

[GoldaT]

Are you seeing an endocrinologist (diabetes specialist) or is it your GP that told you to find a plan you can live with???  Once I was diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes (after several years of being "pre-diabetic"), I found an endocrinologist whom I can trust and got onto a good track with proper medications.  Unfortunately, after some time of great results, my glucose levels and AIC results went crazy and I'm now on insulin (both rapid and overnight/longterm) with injections of up to 3 times/day before meals and long-acting at bedtime.  We've also discovered that I now suffer from sleep apnea which is probably partially responsible for my crazy/high results.  As for your husband, (mine is the same even though he's also diabetic), you need to convince him that bringing home desserts is not helpful ---- mine took a long time to understand but he's getting better at not providing temptation for me.  I've also discovered Glucerna products that help to curb the cravings for sugar products.  I guess I'm trying to encourage you to (1) find an endocrinologist (if you don't already have one) --- this is major.  (2) find substitutes for sugar products and (3) empathize with you ---- without preaching which is something you don't need.  (4) I want you to know that you are not alone; there are many of us at various points in our journey with diabetes.  (5) If you don't already have an endocrinologist, once you find one ask about support programmes and courses for diabetics that he/she can refer you to ----- I've found these extremely helpful and educational. (My husband is also taking a programme that our endocrinologist hooked us up with and he's beginning to understand what we're both facing and how much I need his support in avoiding sugars as much as possible.)  I fear for myself and for him.  I don't want him on insulin but if he doesn't watch himself he may end up on it as well.  You're right; the stuff on the internet is overwhelming ---- you need guidance (a lot of the stuff is misleading ---- there are no miracle cures.  Please get in touch with an endocrinologist and get proper guidance.  Best of luck to you ..... and stay in touch if you'd like.

[GoldaT]

Are you finding any success with your FitBit Flex?????  I just love having it on my wrist encouraging me to keep on stepping, watching my calories and monitoring my sleep.  I've also hooked up with "MyFitnessPal" which helps to coordinate my meals/calories with the FitBit.  Then, there's my other partner --- my PC which records everything and my printer which produces my data/records so I can see my patterns and provide same to my doctors.  Best of luck to you in your fitness quest.

[CalgaryMac]

I have my family doctor and a specialist available. Most of the monitoring is by my family doctor. I am also using one my pharmacists as she has a specially in diabetes control. I think that the treatment part is under control. The pharmacy also has various clinics for diabetes and blood pressure and I take advantage of them as they are free. They are providing A1C testing which is convenient rather than going to a lab to draw blood. The last one was 7.9 which has been pretty stable. My blood sugars are stable although I sometimes have readings above 7.0 in the morning. Otherwise the readings have been in the optimal range.

My biggest challenge is the monitoring of nutrition intake so I have an appointment at the beginning of January to discuss with my counsellor at the diabetes clinic. Fortunately and although I have a sweet tooth, I have been able to avoid sugars. Desserts disappeared out of the house as soon as I was diagnosed and there hasn?t been any issues. We also stopped eating out as much as I can control fats, sugars, salt, etc. better if I cook at home.

I also somewhat resent the fact that I need to eat 3 meals a day. I am not always hungry so I am experimenting with alternatives when I am not hungry - usually at lunch. Glucerna and similar drinks seem to do the trick.

Things are going well for the most part but I don?t want to get cocky about it and get sloppy. It?s been about 5 months now so things are becoming a habit.

I will have to try some of the other technology tools.

CalgaryMac

[GoldaT]

Best of luck to you. Thank heavens for Glucerna .... it helps to fill the
little hunger pangs between meals as well.

[Candleman13]

I have had type  2 diabetes for almost 10 years.  I can not control my weight or my numbers.  I see no reason trying to fix something that will remain broken.  I am alone in my battle with no family support.

I have tried all the herbal suplements, and a ton of medication.  No help at all.  

I hope others are doing better than myself.

[GoldaT]

Hi, Candleman13: Are you using FitBit to measure your steps during the day
--- watching the numbers climb is a great motivator as I've been finding
out. It's amazing how much walking we can do in a day. I empathize with
your Diabetes/Weight struggle --- I'm in the same boat but I'm finding that
with the MyFitnessPal calorie counter and my FitBit Flex I'm burning
calories during the day even though I'm not overly active --- lucky if I
can get my walking into my day (even walking around the house counts to
burn those calories).
I'm working on regulating my sleep (I have sleep apnea and now am using a
CPAP machine to keep me breathing throughout the night) and am finding that
a good night's sleep (even if it is only 5-5&1/2 hours) helps to keep my
sugar readings from going into the double digits. I'm learning to stop
beating myself up about the things I cannot do at the present time and
trying to focus on the things I can accomplish even if they are small
steps. I'm offering you my encouragement and good wishes for a successful
outcome in your efforts --- please try to look for the positives in your
life and offer yourself encouragement. Just don't be too hard on yourself
--- small steps make for great progress --- do the things you can at the
moment and you will find that in time you can do more. Golda T.

[tkdgirl]

I am pre-diabetic... my experience.. I have been having the absolute worst experience trying to lose weight. Years..  Years of the yoyo syndrom .. losing a 1 lb.. gaining all of sudden 2 lbs.. or three the next day. 

Tons, of tears and depression.. 

I cannot tell you , how miserable I have been feeling for a at least the last three years. 

I know it sounds so unbelievable .. but since I happen to become a fitbit owner.. I have been losing weight.. 

Not losing then gaining.. NO.. I mean losing.. and continuing to lose weight.. 7 lbs so far.. and I've only had it for about 3 weeks. This to me.. tells me.. that fitbit charge.. a tiny tool with huge results is a blessing. 

That's my short version of my story.. 

Loviing my fitbit charge

[GoldaT]

@tkdgirl: Great achievements. Keep up the good work. G.T.

[teachergma]

I am diabetic but on meds not insulin.  Be sure you add Myfitnesspal and sync with fitbit.  Makes it so easy to log foods and keep on track.

It may be slow, but keep up with it.  It does work.

[LewWagner]

tkdgirl,

I feel your pain.  I was in denial for so many years and "pre-diabetic."

I just had to find the right motivation.  I stopped blaming everthing and everyone else for my weight and health issures.

So, in Oct 2013, when I was diagnosed with T2D and was at 300+ pounds, I got very mad at myself for somehting could have totally prevented.  Luckily, no liver damage, so the oral meds worked.

But, I channeled my anger into OCD-like motivation to eat right and exercise. 

You just have to decide if YOU HAVE FINALLY HAD ENOUGH.  If you have achieved that enlightenment, then you can keep at it.  Focus on averages and loss over time,not the daily ups and downs. 

It's nice to have others recognize your efforts, but when the chips are down, only you can do this.

I'll be pulling for you.  Don't wander into the kitchen to snack.  Don't have tempting edibles in your house.  Ge an electronic scale and weigh your food.  Eat fresh fruit, nuts, and meat.  No processed foods and try to avoid starch and pasta.