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....

[socchic]

I've been a type 2 diabetic since 2010. It was pretty weird since I weighed 120, 5'4" and kept pretty active playing soccer and gym. My weight ballooned to 150 not long after I was diagnosed. This made me depressed, hired a trainer and reduced the weight to 134. I've been able to reduce my meds through diet and exercise. Received the fit bit for Christmas, I figure I can always improve. Lows aren't fun.

[Specguy]

Hi All,

Hope everyone is working hard to reach their goals.  I've been slacking for the last week. Trying to get my sugar levels down. Recently I was told I may have diabeties with my last test @131. My doctor wants me to wait 90 days and redo the blood fasting test to confirm..  Regardless of the outcome, I need to lose weight again.......  Ya, its an on going battle for some of us.  Being 60 years old, I reflect back in my 40's , would run (4) miles in (40) minutes then play full court basketball.    Now its just the past.  But if I may say, we all should look through the windshield vs the rearview mirror.  That in it self is an undertaking.

Well, good luck everyone,

Gordie

[BernieLynn]

I am a type 2 diabetic relatively new to fitbit.  Is there any possible way for us to track our glucose readings on fitbit?  Either manually entered or downloaded from our glucometer.  It would be so beneficial to coordinate our readings with our diet as well as exercise.

[soapsuds]

Investigate intermittent fasting and Dr. Jason Fung

[anrento]

http://diabetes.ufl.edu/my-diabetes/diabetes-resources/diabetes-apps/

Did you google search for diabetes tracker apps.???

[marde]

Hi Laura,

I was diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes a few years ago and have not lost the weight as I should have at that time.  However, in 2014 I started to pay closer attention to my portion sizes and my food choice.  By September of 2014 I lost 27 lbs and that motivated me to really get serious, especially after I visited the doctor and had a very high AIC.  I started keeping a written journal of everything I put in my mouth, as well as started counting calories.  In December 2014, I received a Tablet as a Christmas present and joined Myfitnesspal, started logging in my meals there and the caloric intake would appear automatically.  Now, my daughter gave me a Fitbit as another tool to used.  Since 2014 I have lost a total of 64 lbs., my last AIC testing was at 6.0 (fasting blood sugar is always below 90).  My doctor is very pleased at my progress.  I never eat over 1200 calories a day.  My goal is to lose a total of 100+lbs. for 2015 and get off some or all of my meds.  I have lost 20 lbs since January thus far.  My Fitbit is not tracking activity as it should yet.  But, I have only had it in use for a little over a day and not familiar with it yet as I should be.  I hope to be up and running by tomorrow with my Fitbit tracking.

[anrento]

Well done. you have done well without the fitbit and now with the fitbit you will be unstoppable Keep up the the good work.

[JerriAnn]

write down every thing you eat and put the calorie count in as well. You will be shocked just how many

calories you are eating. Then you will make good use of those calories . I really hate doing it but the truth will be right front of your eyes why you gained 10 pds.

I use the web site   lose it.com . It is easy to use and figures out the calorie count for you. I know it is a pain but we all need tough love once in awhile.

I try and walk 20,000 a day . If I over eat I don't lose a darn thing. The biggest Loser show said

it is 20% exercise and 80% of what you eat. I wish they would show more about the food these people

eat on that show.

Good luck.

[JerriAnn]

I am 65 been type 2 for 10 years. Lost weight too . But my doctor said I probably will always be on

medicine and shots the rest of my life. I have lowered the insulin though. I really wanted to get off all the medicine.

All you new diabetics and are young get serious so you can get off it all. Don't put it off like I did.

So far no serious side effects because I now keep on top of it and keep my A1C in tact.

[jcpoole]

Hello....I got the news last week that I am pre diabetic. I bought my Fitbit last Tuesday and have been very **ahem** about logging my water and food. I had no idea where to start so I stopped drinking diet soda, cut out all sugar, like candy, cookies, ice cream, well, you know what I mean, no need to list it, and try to keep my carbs to below 100 g a day.  I have only managed to get my steps up to about 9000 just once.  I walk every day at least 3 - 5 miles according to my fitbit. I know it's only been just over a week, I feel I would of expected to see the scale move more than the 1 or 2 lbs that it did.....I feel tired, of course from the lack of sugar, and wonder what I can do to get back some energy.  I do realize that my body is still in shock from all of these changes so any idea how long it will be before I start actually feeling good? Thanks......I have enjoyed reading the posts and learning for all who have been there!!

[Specguy]

I totally understand. The process is slower than what we would prefer. Just
keep it going and you'll reach your goal. It took all of us time to get to
where we are and the changes will also take time to reverse. Remember,
look through the windshield not the rear view mirror.

[Specguy]

That's wonderful, good job.

[anrento]

I am pre-diabetic as well, I just lost 15 lbs and I am going to set my next goal the same amount. I am happy to loose 1 lbs a week=3500 calorie deficit. I have to start moving today to shop so here I go.

[Daywalker]

Well I finally did the education course today, was diagnosed at the end of December. Left with a new understanding of portion control and moderation as a opposed to an all out abstinence. I also left with the Contour Next USB. So I’m now able to check my blood glucose level, did my first check today after I got home 4.7. Have not yet uploaded data or installed the os but I should be able to keep records on computer with this meter.

Since I found out It’s been a scramble of what I can and cannot eat. Canadian Diabetes Association and American Diabetes Association do have some good recipes. I tried a few and plan on trying more.

Pork Stir-Fry with Black Beans in Sauce {corn was added by me} – It’s a bit of work but well worth it, I’d say this is my favourite so far.

Chicken Pasta and Spinach – Another really good dish.

Braised Herbed Chicken {corn was added by me} – Easy to do.

Budget Friendly Herb Garlic Meatloaf {corn was added by me} – I must have done something wrong here, it’ll be a long while before I try this again.

Mediterranean Chicken – Another good dish that's easy to.

[DaisyBordan]

Are you taking vitamins and drinking enough water?  Be sure to fill up on vegetables and salads.  If you aren't eating enough then your body will think itself starving and will hold onto those calories.  Make sure you are getting enough sleep too.  I applaud you for cutting out the sugars and walking!  Losing 1-3 lbs a week is the heathly way to do it.

[jcpoole]

I just had my diabetes education this morning.  It is all so confusing to me.  I am a fairly intelligent person....I think...yet when I look at all the starches, and carbs and fat and protien, it's like I am learning a different language.  Basically, I do what my Fitbit tells me to do....drink the water it says I still need to drink, and keep the calories down.  Now I know I can keep my carbs to 30 - 40 grams per meal.  I am still not sure I am ready to add back in bread, pasta or grains, because I love them so much, I fear I won't be able to keep the portion to what it needs to be.  Thank you for all the advice!  I need to be patient, this is a whole new lifestyle for me......all of us really.  The quick simple fixes won't work for me any longer, I need to read labels, and plan my meals better. Now it's 2 weeks in and I have lowered my reading from 7.5 to 6, and other than feeling tired, I am feeling pretty good.  I've lost 4 lbs in 2 weeks.....Thank you all for your support and advice!!

[SunsetRunner]

I was diagnosed prediabetic in 2006 with repeated high fasting glucose readings. My A1C creeped up from the low 6s to the higher and higher 6s. Last year, I started seriously to look at what I was eating and adding activity to my daily life. I bought a Fitbit Flex in July 2014. I've done some considerable weight loss (losing 32% of my weight) and dramatically improved my fitness (6 days a week fast walking 5K), largely motivated and using my Fitbit and the software on my Android phone.

My A1C dropped from 6.7 in Dec 2013, 5.6 in May 2014, to 5.1 in Sept 2014 and finally to 4.7 at my last check-up in Feb 2015. I am now completely off all medication for this. My fasting blood glucose is also good, it was usually 120-130 before, last check up it was 85. It has been reading under 90 on all my morning fasting checks for months now.

I am a 47yo Male, 6' 0". I did not dramatically change my diet. I dropped most calorie dense side dishes and replaced them with large servings of low calorie veggies. I still eat Pizza (maybe once a week, 2 slices max), I still eat out, just get better options or make sure I count the calories. I drink diet soda, for me it keeps my interest in sweet stuff lower. I still eat bread and pasta, just watch my servings. As a active male, I have a good number of daily calories to work with. I mostly just eat less, to keep within my calorie limit in Fitbit. I've found protein high items and fruit are very filling, along with Greek Yogurt as a snack/weekday breakfast. I've set my Fitbit to use a Sedetary setting. (Log > Food > Options). I set it for an easy (-500 calorie deficit) weight loss plan and have been keeping to it since July.

For exercise it has all be walking or treadmill mostly. Mornings before work. All of it at a walking to fast walking pace, no running. Max is about 4.6mph. I do inclines and definitely huff and puff. Listening to music I can do this endlessly. I actually can't do this while watching Netflix or something. I've done some stationary and regular biking, some elliptical, and I am just starting strength training. But I got to those lab results with 95% walking as the calorie burning exercise.

I generally hit 15K-16K average daily steps. Often see 20K days. Rarely fail to hit 10K. I still have myself set to a 10K goal, I should do 13-14K.

Move more, eat less totally worked for me.

[Lightsinger]

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@Daywalker wrote:

Well I finally did the education course today, was diagnosed at the end of December. Left with a new understanding of portion control and moderation as a opposed to an all out abstinence. I also left with the Contour Next USB. So I’m now able to check my blood glucose level, did my first check today after I got home 4.7. Have not yet uploaded data or installed the os but I should be able to keep records on computer with this meter.

Since I found out It’s been a scramble of what I can and cannot eat. Canadian Diabetes Association and American Diabetes Association do have some good recipes. I tried a few and plan on trying more.

Pork Stir-Fry with Black Beans in Sauce {corn was added by me} – It’s a bit of work but well worth it, I’d say this is my favourite so far.

Chicken Pasta and Spinach – Another really good dish.

Braised Herbed Chicken {corn was added by me} – Easy to do.

Budget Friendly Herb Garlic Meatloaf {corn was added by me} – I must have done something wrong here, it’ll be a long while before I try this again.

Mediterranean Chicken – Another good dish that's easy to.

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I notice that almost all of these meals feature two starches, and no vegetables.  I cannot eat rice or corn without serious spikes in the blood gluose numbers.  So I always include a vegetable in place of rice, potatoes or corn/peas, although I do have some small amount of potatoes from time to time for the nutrition.  I eat them skin on, too.  🙂  That's where all the nutrients are.  I know a lot of folks don't like vegetables, and I'm lucky that I love all of them, but I definitely cultivated a taste for them after I was diagnosed.

[Lightsinger]

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@Jeni84 wrote:

Hello everyone,

I'm brand new to Fitbit. I don't have diabetes, but my youngest has T1D. She was diagnosed a year and a half ago. I understand what a strugle it can be to have it and to deal with testing blood all the time and getting injections. I help my daughter with her injections (when she is not on the pump) and help her with testing and carb counting. Since she was diagnosed she has only gained around 2 pounds. She is only 9. She did gain back the 10 pounds she had lost when we first found out. Now any time she gets sick she drops 10 pounds in one day. I would love to be able to talk to others that are diabetic or not.

Thanks for reading!

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If you haven't already, check out the on line community forums on the American Diabetes Association website.  We have folks from all over, Canada, the U.S., Australia, and they have forums specifically for parents of children with diabetes.  Check them out.  Every parent needs support, but parents of diabetics have special challenges, and those folks know what you're dealing with.  🙂

[miracle]

These dishes look delicious! Thanks for sharing Lightsinger!