Carol, have you considered Metformin as part of your regimen? When I was first diagnosed I didn't need it, but after my back surgery and less gardening, the two pills in the evening helps bring down the numbers overnight. .My son takes his pills after breakfast and after dinner, so his doctor recommends different timing. I wish you would avoid that word "illegal" because it doesn't apply to a diabetic diet, really. Food helps your body, except sugar which has no nutrition but does provide calories. Making good choices and not purchasing high glycemic carbs keeps me feeling better. Some days I am more active than others, and, I believe age contributes to the problem.
I am studying the Mayo Clinic diet book, but find that the protein amount recommended is not enough for me so I eat more. I skip- all listed snacks and sweets, so dessert doesn't exist in my life right now. I am getting my fasting number down now, but it is slow progress.
It is not as easy as when I first started. Back then I lost weight easily, and then it quit. Some things are a mystery to me. Dorisena