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....

[GoldaT]

Thanks for the encouragement. I am also using MFP and finding it quite
helpful to log my meals --- hope I'm being accurate with helpings though;
often have to guess at serving sizes. Happy New Year and Happy Steppin'.

[Norma-m]

Although I just got my Fitbit this Christmas. I can tell you that a good diet & exercise plan will help with your diabetese. I joined Weight Watchers in June 2012 weighing in at a hefty 260 pounds. I suffered from high blood pressure, taking Metformin for my diabetese, was on a Cpap machine for sleep apena. In July 2012 I joined Jazzercise. I had only planned on working out 3 times a week. Now I work out every day.  I currently weigh 143 pounds & I no longer take any medicine for diabetese & I have not used my Cpap machine in over 9 months. I wanted the Fitbit to work in sync with My Fitness Pal. I log my food there daily. I will be 63 this month. I figure I need all the help I can get to stay healthy & fit. This is my story & I'm sticking to it. So can you! Good luck.

[GoldaT]

Hi, Norma. Thanks for the note and encouragement. You are an
inspiration. Keep up the good work and I'll keep up my efforts. Good luck
to you and Happy New Year. G.T.

[max814]

Hi...I was diagnosed at age 9...55 years ago and am addicted to my
fitbit...if there is any way I can help please let me know...max

[GoldaT]

Thanks, Max. Your offer of help is much appreciated. I'm still learning
but I'm definitely addicted to my FitBit Flex.

[PoppySun]

I'm Type 2.

On Metformin since Sept 2014.

A1C in Sept 2014 was 12.1

A1C in Nov 2014 was 7.1

I've lost about 45lbs since Sept. 

Trying to start off New Year on a good step   

[max814]

Hi...just ask me some questions and I can respond...my story is long since
it covers 55 years...I m currently on p ump and čgm...exercise has been
very very important to me and from My perspective overtime ever the most
important part. ...understanding dietary stuff can be a Challenge but all
of this is better by phone...not sure how to get you phone exchange
numbers. ...I can say that fit bit has really made a huge huge difference
....write with questions and I will send answers

[Norma-m]

Golda T -Just believing you can is a good start that you will.

[SunsetRunner]

I was diagnosed Type 1 later in life - late 40's - 7 years ago now. Last year I went on a pump and CGM which has helped a lot in terms of sugar level control - A1Cs in the high 6's which is not bad. Got a new Charge for xmas and looking forward to seeing how it help motivate improvements in my workouts and training as well as my overall health. I look forward to learning from you all and sharing what I learn as I go. 

[GoldaT]

Wishing you all the best with your new Charge. Hope you see a great deal
of improvement and that you stay motivated. Motivation is the key. Keep
on steppin' and just keep at it.

[SunsetRunner]

I have been diabetic for about 10 years now. I became diabetic while I was gaining weight on some meds that had weight gain as a side effect. Unfortunately, the weight gain got out of hand and I'm morbidly obese. I was on medications and insulin. I really was doing nothing I should have been doing for my health at that tiime and was in denial. Things has changed a lot over the years and I watch what I eat more closely and no longer like sitting still for too long so that helps a lot. I exercise almost every day. I am no longer on insulin and I'm now just taking Metformin for management. Anyone here is free to add me to their friends.

[Sue54]

It is awesome to see other diabetics are having the same issues.  I haven't seen anyone else with hypothyroidism as well and this has been my issue this past year plus now being 60.  Have had a hard time regulating my thryroid so the weight (15 pounds) has increased which is making it hard to get my blood sugars where they should be.  I've been Type 1 diabetic for 20 years and never had a weight issue until now.  I decided to buy FB hoping that it will help shed this extra weight and hope everything else will fall in place.  I've only had it about a week but having fun with it and making sure I am getting my 10,000 steps every day.

[GoldaT]

@Sue54: Glad you're enjoying your FitBit --- just be sure to keep using it
to its fullest potential and keep on steppin'; it will do the counting for
you. How are you managing 10k steps per day???? I'm lucky if I get in
2-3,000k --- but then I often spend a good part of my day napping due to my
sleep apnea and not getting a good night's sleep every night (still
adjusting to sleeping with CPAP machine to keep me breathing). I'm
optimistic however and looking forward to increasing my steps by walking
with our Whippet once the weather settles into much more comfortable (i.e.,
no more minus/freezing temps/wind chill that makes it even colder) --- 0*C
is nice enough for me/mild. Take care of yourself and add me as a friend
if you'd like to. Golda T.

[graygeekette]

Hey thanks for the encouragement.  My Cpap is the first thing I want to kick and then the diabetes meds.  About 3 years ago, I got a trainer and lost 30 pounds and my A1c went from 7.2 to 5.8.  It was mostly cardio and I had just started weights.  Then I got vertigo and now I am back to where I was with the additional Cpap!  I know if I loose it will work even being 3 years older.  My last A1C was 8.2 so I am ready to get kicked back into gear and try again. 

[Sue54]

It isn't always easy. One of the things I do at work is, instead of picking up the phone to talk to a coworker, I'll get up and go to them. I have a treadmill also. Every little bit helps.

[LewWagner]

I was diagnosed with chronic thyroiditus way back in 2003.  Body white blood cells kept attacking my thyroids until they basically shut down.  I take levothyroxine, but was able to combat over 20 years of bad eating and no exercise so today at the tender age of 58, I'm down to 170 lbs (my target weight) and eating right as well as exercising each day.

It can be done.  If you're willing to do what it takes...

[GoldaT]

@AliciaM001: I'm with you, Alicia.  I'm finding that with my Flex on my wrist, I'm more aware of my steps, my food intake and now, my water intake.  Like you I wasn't taking in enough water ---- drank lots of tea, though.  Now, I'm trying to add H20 to my daily diet --- it's difficult sometimes for me.  My husband bought me some coconut water and I'm going to try that --- the one I have is low cal and low in sugar.  Other than that, I've tried things like Nestle Splash (which is sweetened with Splenda, I think).    Flex and MyFitnessPal help to keep me on track.  I'd like to get off of insulin eventually, if possible --- ever optimistic but finding it difficult to keep my sugars in balance; they've been all over the place lately but seem to be settling into a good pattern since I was diagnosed with sleep apnea and began sleeping with CPAP breathing machine.  Keep on steppin', Alicia, and I will too.

[MatildaT]

Hi, I'm NEW to FB I've been wearing a FB Charge since last Thursday. I'm borderline prediabetic/prediabetic. I  have yoyo between 1&3 lbs of weight lose and gain. When  I placed the FB on my wrist it was instant motivation. Its a contant reminder to move and be mindful of what I eat. LoL before I would eat junk then remember that I wasn't suppose to eat it or I'd blow it off as just a little wont hurt, then possibly go into  a full blown binge. My goal is to drop 20 lbs.

[GoldaT]

Hi, Matilda!!!! Welcome to the FitBit community. Please take it easy on
the weight loss ---- don't try to lose it too quickly; you'll just gain it
back. Try for a pound a week as I'm doing --- it's more likely to work in
your favour. Add MYFITNESSPAL and sync it to your FitBit Charge --- you'll
be able to keep track of your calories and sugars as well; it helps to keep
you motivated. Also, just keep on steppin' around with your Charge on your
wrist --- you'll see your results every time you sync your Charge on your
pc or phone; I even check on my tablet when I'm out and about. Most of
all, stay motivated and enjoy life. Golda T.

[MatildaT]

Thanks for the welcome and advice. I was going to shoot for 2 lbs a week, but realized I was setting myself up for failure. I'm now aiming for 1 to 1 1/2 lbs a week. Thanks for recommending myfitnesspal. I've been logging everything I consume in great detail through FB and paying attention to the totals but overlooked that it doesn't keep track of sugar intake. I'll be checking out myfitnesspal. Have a Blessed day 🙂