I have put on a lot of weight since I was diagnosed with diabetes. Part of it was weight I had lost that I think was caused by becoming diabetic before diagnosis (I lost 60 pounds the year before I was diagnosed). However, it was just becoming clear that I needed to work on it and needed some external help because I wasn’t figuring it out on my own and programs like WW aren’t really targeted to diabetics. I could make a list of other excuses, but the main thing is I was a little at loss on where to start and what to do. Not that I didn’t get the idea of fewer calories in than burned, but…I didn’t want to just start a diet, I wanted some one-on-one advice.
So after much research I found a nutritionist/dietitian who also has a specialty in diabetes. I started meeting with her in October/November. I love it.
First, I had to start documenting everything I eat/drink. For this I’m using www.myfitnesspal.com. I can do it from my computer or my phone. It has an awesome database of foods. Every visit we review my logs (including what time i ate each meal/snack and how I was feeling in the notes section). We also try to come up with a plan ahead of schedule. I’m finding that a plan is the key to success. However, there have been other lessons.
I was not eating breakfast at least 95% of the time. And on days that I work from home I might not eat until 3 or 4 and I was really starving. Thus, my body thought it was starving and would hold on to every calorie I took in. The breakfast thing was partly because so many mornings I was waking up feeling nauseous. At first I thought this was from high bg, but after disproving that I think it’s acid reflux. Sexy! I have started taking over the counter meds and it’s been a big help. I’m up to have a diabetic-friendly Boost for breakfast on my way out. The other part of this was discovering I wasn’t keeping food at home I would want to eat. I don’t mean like pizza and chocolate, but just keeping something crunchy and some things that are easy meals – like tuna fish and crackers.
She also reviews some things I’m doing and has simple changes. Like have a fruit or vegetable with every meal. If you are ordering out, make a veg at home too. Set a limit to drinks before going out with friends.
I’m also trying out more cooking at home. Wish I had a dishwasher! I am trying to always do at least enough for dinner and then lunch the next day when I cook. Some things like soup I’ve also frozen some servings for later. I need to do more of this kind of thing, but the progress I’ve made has been good. My lady likes pictures of my food. I don’t photograph them all, but things like a beautiful soup deserve a picture!
She’s also very encouraging. She’s checked in by email a few times between visits. My favorite email was short and sweet: “I’m really proud of you, too. Losing weight and taking care of yourself is never easy… keep it up.”
I can do this!
