As most of you know, or well those of you that read my blog regularly, I was just recently diagnosed as Insulin Resistant and borderline diabetic. The doctors are being generous with the “borderline” part. Technically my fasting blood sugar levels put me in the diabetic range, but I think they are trying to see if changing my diet will help manage that before fully labeling me diabetic and putting me on medication. So changing my diet, I have done.
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For the longest time, I’ve tried and tried and tried to lose weight. It just wasn’t happening for me. Unfortunately, it got to the point where I was starting to make peace with being “the fat chick”. How sad is that? I wasn’t fat my whole life so why should I settle now and accept myself as being fat? It’s simple. It was easier to stay fat than to try and lose weight. No matter how hard I tried, I got ZERO results. After finally conveying this info to my OB/GYN, she decided to run a few tests. I was Glucose Intolerant when I was pregnant with my daughter (which is basically just a step below Gestational Diabetes) and she thought I could be having those issues again. Lo and behold, my fasting blood sugar and my fasting insulin levels were really high.
Right away, I decided to go on the “diabetic diet” that I was put on when I was pregnant with my daughter. Basically I limit my carb/sugar intake to 30-45 carbs per meal. I would be lying if I said it’s been easy. I’ve had MANY meltdowns because I’ve had to turn something away that I wanted to eat, but it wasn’t worth it. I would be wasting all my carbs for that meal and still be hungry at the end of the meal. But…here’s the good news. Since starting the “diabetic diet” I’ve consistently lost 1.5-2lbs a week! I feel better in my skin…I don’t feel puffy…I feel good!
So with that, I’ve decided to start a section on my blog called “Diabetes and Me”. This is where I will put recipes that are diabetic friendly, track my weight loss, etc. Follow along with me on my journey. I know it won’t be an easy one…but it’s a journey I have to take. My life depends on it…and no…I’m not being melodramatic. Reading all the complications that diabetes can cause in your life scares the crap out of me. I’ve been scared straight!
Having been diagnosed with diabetes in July 2009 I know how the diagnosis or threat of it can scare you straight. The diabetic diet has been wonderful for me. I never knew how miserable I felt until I actually felt good.
The other night I ate more of something than I should have and about 15 minutes I felt terrible. Tired, no energy and bloated. I realized that was how I use to feel all the time and don't know how I lived with that feeling for years.
Sorry to hear about your health issues and best of luck with your weight loss! I'm doing Weight Watchers right now myself.
Best of luck!
Hey Leah,
I am one of your FB friends and have seen your posts about how much better you feel and the inches you have lost. I have read back through all of your diabetes posts and I am very intrigued. You said you are following the diabetic diet that you were put on when you were pregnant with your daughter…would you care to share a link to that diet/list/etc? I have done some googling but I can't find something that gives clear concise guidelines.
I am thrilled for you…and your Vitamin D level has me wondering too. I am due for blood work next month so I may ask for this level to be checked. Thanks for providing so much info!!!