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....

[Daywalker]

I've been using the Fitbit Charge HR for a week now.

In high school I was an active 5'8" lean 195lbs. Somewhere along the lines I developed a severe vary rare condition Cholinergic Urticaria. It basically prevented me from sweating/perspiring, instead I would break out in excruciatingly painful rashes and hives. Physical exertion, heat, sudden spikes in temperature would all set me off. At one point I’m pretty sure I’d gained 60lbs with all the inactivity.

During the weekend of my 40th birthday while in hospital I was diagnosed. I can’t say I was surprised, maybe just disappointed. I’ve always been thirsty going back all the way back to elementary school, so I kinda saw this coming. My biggest weakness, fruity drinks. When I found out I had just finished one of those plastic bottle Minute Maid Lemonades. I was still on the hospital bed with the empty bottle, it would be my last one. Even thou I’ve been diagnosed I’m still waiting for the so called school/course on how to live with the condition.

My doctors pretty confident my new found condition will improve if I drop the weight. Subbing juice for water my weights already coming down. In the last week I’ve changed how I eat and it’s been a few years since my last CU attack. So I did something I haven’t done in several years, I went back to the gym. I had very positive results, no rashes or hives. I was sweating just like a normal person. I tell you, the things you don’t miss until there gone. Just after a full week of weight training I’m under 230 lbs.

[Superfan]

Way to go, Daywalker! You'll find the fitbit community is a very supportive group and will generally offer great advice. For myself, I've found that losing weight AND exercising over the past year has led to greatly improved health and results in my A1c numbers. Of course, everybody is different and that's why it's important to keep track of what works best for you. Best wishes for continued success - I look forward to hearing about your progress.

[dancefoxtrot]

BDa

Seems like eating lots of veggies, low glycemic fruit, some whole grains in small portions and working out really can reduce the am't of drugs needed for T2. Joel Fuhrman, MD wrote an excellent book End to Diabetes. Do you know about him: He has a website with recipes and articles. 

Best,

Barbara 

[beaches1]

I am a diabetic using fitbit. I use Myfitness pal to log my food. I would appreciate encourangement and support in trying to lower my AIC and lose weight. I have read the boards and have seen some of your achievements. 

Please send me your tips and your ideas. I am open to learning from your experiences. 

Thanking you in advance,

I

[anrento]

I am pre-diabetic, A1c6.2 I am working very hard to steer clear of diabetes. I do think I have lots of ideas on how to stay below 1500 calories and still eat a lot of food. Can you see my food diary it is public. I can make omelets with Slaw, Egg whts, beans, pumkin,butternut squash, peas & carrots, I found no cal. I mix a low or no cal. Dressing w.Bandar mint cilantro chili sauce. You can control the heat you like. I am not big on hot but I enjoy everything with this dressing. Dr.Kracker seeds are great. King Soba makes buckwheat and br.rice noodles (low glycemic) I have 1/2 cup of beans with most meals. I like apples and Strawberries are very low. Popcorn with sprayed Pam and (Morton's no salt)container if you think you are intaking too much salt.You do not want to retain too much water with salt as well. I go to the pre diabetic program at the Y. they tell me if you are over 165lbs not more than 40 grams of fat. I buy turkey that comes in four strips of 4oz's. eating. 2oz's for every meal. Salmon has too much fat. I will only use 1oz at a time add Egg whts. Tuna I mix with pumkin or squash add red onions and my chilli sauce w Cilantro. I eat a lot of food but they are low in calories and fat.

[anrento]

I just took a peek at your steps. Thoses numbers have to be higher. Me too. My back pain and my post foot surgery keep me back at times but I know a thiner body will have less pain. I teach swimming 3x a week so that keeps me in the pool for over 2 hrs.( that is my Phyical Therapy) I am alway looking for new foods to try. Plain yougurt with lemon with a 1/2 cup of Kashi Good Friends gives you some crunch.

[anrento]

Thanks for reminding me. I will check his website But I know that is the way to go. I am being success doing that.

[dancefoxtrot]

Just watched a PBS special This is Your Do-over by Michael Roizen, MD. It was super informative. 

He said beware sugar substitutes as they destroy the good bacteria in your small intestine that we need. Then the gut produces bad substances. Who knew? He has a website and there is a brief video clip of it.

Sounds like Anrento has lots of good ideas using veggies. 

Love Dr. Joel Fuhrman's website  with recipes & books. End of Diabetes. 

Walking, dancing, biking, exercise zumba classes to burn it off. 

Best Wishes for your health recovery,

Barbara

[dancefoxtrot]

Daywalker

Inspiring. You got it. No juices or sodas needed. What an absolute blessing to be free of UC and be able to walk and work out. The logging, labet reading, portion control, and exercise with turn this around for you. Your whole body will love you for it especially your hips, knees and feet. 

Adding more steps each day helps if you can't make 10k right away. Many people can move from Diabetes to pre diabetes to normal A1cs and BGLs. 

Do you chart your BGL AM & 2 hours after dinner?  Walking after each meal helps. Small calorie load in each meal helps. Veggies, non starchy veggies , are your friends, healthy, filling and fibrous for slower BG rise. Small portions of meat, poultry is considered 3 oz.  "If it's white it ain't right" is a good slogan when it comes to bread, rice, flour, sugar, pasta. 

Clean the bad foods out of your home so you are not tempted. Even no diabetic people,kids & adults benefit from a healthy diet. They whine at first but get used to it.

Logging each food opened my eyes since I was grazing on healthy raw nuts, dried figs, etc. Well, nuts are wonderful in small amounts as 1/4 cup, a big handful, turns out to be 160-190 cals. That knowledge slowed me way down on grazing. 

If I don't have my steps in I put on music and dance or go out dancing, drink only water until my buzzer goes off. 

. Keep watch on blood sugar levels now that you are active as the amount of drugs needed may lessen. 

Happy recovery,. You have health buddies here so you are not alone. 

Barbara 

[dancefoxtrot]

soapsuds,

low fat product are usually full of sugars that are bad for diabetics. Good fats like omega 3 from salmon and walnuts are important for hearts & brains. 

Carbs from non starchy veggies are fine because that are complex, have fiber and break down slowly. 

Small portions of meat, and poultry are the size of playing card deck. Yogurt plain and then add berries or fruit slices not the commercial  crap loaded with sugars. 

Label reading is essential. Healthy greens, steamed or raw in smoothies or salads. Beware the salad dressing. Read the label. One has 120 cal a Tbsp another has 30. Same with mayo and sauces. Tomato sauce can be made yummy from crushed tomatoes, onions, mushrooms, garlic, green peppers and spices.

Some health programs have low expectations and advocate unhealthy diets. 

Our tastes will change over a month if we stay away from addictive sugars, simple carbs, and unhealthy fats. 

We can do this together,

Barb

[dancefoxtrot]

Absolutely inspiring LewWagner

I have zero problem with cured! If you maintain the healthy regime that you are on there is no reason to believe that your A1c will shoot up to over 5.5. YOU ARE CURED and hooray for that. 

As we age we need to stay active as can be not to slip back into low muscle mass and paunches.

All the best,

Barbara 

[andi1]

365 days a year, 24 hours a day. your body or your diabetes NEVER rests. its like your heart beat. Never stops. I am always trying to loose weight and It is just so hard being insulin dependant and trying to shead the lbs. You would probably benefit from a nutritionist and definately try to get at least 30 minutes of high-intensity walking or aerobic activity  in and if you have the weight to loose, it WILL come off!  You can put money on that, for sure. You probably should! 😉 maybe a motivation factor! I wont say best of luck with that because that is NOT what you need! You need a little hard work and determination and medical attention if need be! Take my word on it, if it were easy EVERYONE would do it!

xoxo 

Andrea D

[miracle]

Hi Laura,

I'm also a Type 1 diabetic, that is insulin dependent. Have had diabetes for 56 years! The FitBit is a great tool to keep us motivated to exercise. If you can get 30 minutes, or even 20 minutes in a day you're on your way to taking control of this awful disease! Have had major setbacks with having had it so long but feel good and hoping to be around to see my granddaughters grow up! If you "fall off the wagon" don't get discouraged. Tell yourself, "I can do this!"

Miracle

[dancefoxtrot]

Anrento

What do you mean those steps have to be higher? Do you think I must do more than 10k? I'm not understanding your meaning. Please explain.... Other than forgetting to put my Charge HR back on after a shower I have been doing my steps and losing weight. With all the extra dancing I do I can feel it in my knees so I need balance of rest and exercise as more torn knee cartledge I do not need. 

Yours in health,

Barbara G

[miracle]

Hi prdmmy3,

I'm new here too. Got my FitBit in October but am just recently using this forum! I have had diabetes for 57 years! I've been on an insulin pump for 20 years ago (roughly)! It's been a lifesaver! I too have such trouble with insulin when I'm exercising. My blood sugars (BS) going into exercise are around 120, I turn my pump off and then check my BS after exercising! Often I'm at 60 or less! I've discovered that if I eat protein of some kind BEFORE exercise, get my BS to 150-160, turn my pump off and then do the exercise, my BS are around 85 which is good.

I do a strength and resistance class 3x's a week at the local YMCA, than try to walk 10,000 steps with my FitBit the other 3 days! For the life of me I cannot lose any more than .8 pounds. This has been going on for almost 2 months now! I also have hypothyrodism and I believe my thyroid is off! I'm going in for a blood test tomorrow cause this is ridiculous!

I know when my BS drops low, my adrenal gland kicks in and makes my BS go VERY HIGH! I wonder if that's what is happening with your basals? Maybe you should just suspend your pump when you're exercising? Might be worth a try. My A1C's have been 6.7, 6.5, and occasionally 7. If you figure out the secret to loosing more than .8 pounds please let me know!! Hang in there!

[miracle]

Dear pydmmy3,

Maybe you should adjust your basal to give you more insulin after your workout for a couple hours and then go back to what your basal was before your workout? 

[dancefoxtrot]

new recipes at DrFuhrman.com. Lot's of yummy recipes especially vegan ideas. Excellent dressing with cashews blended. 

Barbara 

[anrento]

So sweet of you, Thanks.

[Mrsaireysson]

​Hi,

Motivation is the key and it all depends what you want to achieve, and how
much you want it.

Living with type 1 diabetes can be challenging at times, and I accept I get
things wrong, even after 42 years, and I am always learning. I am never
afraid to ask questions of my diabetic nurse, and if she does not know, she
has asked my consultant to ring me.

I am a firm believer that my diabetic control can improve, but not to the
extent it becomes obsessive, and stops me doing the things I want to do.

However, I recently learnt that I am finding it very difficult to reduce my
weight in that the more insulin I take, the harder it is to shift the lbs.

Cheese is my weakness so I take cottage cheese instead, and that helps, but
it takes time.

Keep at it and you will succeed

paul

[anrento]

You have to track your food with myfitnesspal. I can not be successful with out it. I love gadgets so the fitbit keeps track of my activities and it comes with friends. (that is great) Pain is one of my motivators. If I loose the weight I will have less pain. I am going to weigh in with my pre diabetic program now and I believe I have another minus #. They teach us to no more that 40 grams of fat a day for someone over 165lbs. I don't buy cheese anymore for now.