1. < Diabetes & Endocrine System

Lighten Your Limbs With Friends

Posted by Retired Teacher @retiredteacher, Oct 28, 2018

Hello all. I have Diabetes 2 and have avoided exercise for over 2 1/2 years. I am overweight and know that I need to get moving and lose weight. I have always had excuses not to do anything much before. I have a treadmill, and I look at it, but I never use it. A few weeks ago, I decided that it is time to lighten my limbs. I received my Mayo newsletter. and it included a twelve-week Exercise Plan. It was like fate that I had decided to exercise and Mayo dropped the perfect routine in my lap. Because it's 12 weeks and not years and years, as some plans are, the Mayo is doable. They're not asking me to run a marathon!
It's a way to get stronger and healthier. However, one part was missing: I need to be accountable to somebody else. I would love for other Connects to join me so that we could celebrate our success each week. I don't want to wait to January when all we hear is "New Year, New You." So I thought it would be good to start before the bombardment of ads for gym equipment and promises to lose many pounds too fast (and gain it back even faster). I needed a plan that will work for me and anybody else, and Mayo has given it to us.
Let's get a jump on 2019 by finishing strong in 2018. If we start the first week on Friday, November 2, 2018 (only four days from now), it will propel us through the weekend and keep us going. Just think: By January 25th, we will have completed the 12 weeks. Just when other people are trying to keep their exercise resolutions, we'll have finished 12 weeks. We'll be lighter, heathier, and stronger. We also will have gotten into the habit of exercising and hopefully, do another 12 weeks. Doesn't that sound good? To be able to say, "I'm healthier and feel so much better and have lighter limbs." For the first time I am excited to exercise, but I need others to come along with me. I need the accountability.
Please join me and give it a try. Come along with me so we can say it's not just my 12 weeks, but it's our 12 weeks. The first week asks us to do 5 minutes of warm up, five minutes of brisk walking, and five minutes of cool down. That's only 15 minutes. I can do that! The walking is the speed that you are comfortable with. The warm up and cool down are just slower walking. It can be outside, in your house, at a gym---wherever you feel comfortable and whatever time of day is convenient. Nothing required except determination and desire to make it 12 weeks.
I'll post the exercise times for each week once we get started. Let's give this gift to ourselves and improve throughout the holidays. If you have any questions, send me a note, and I'll answer what I have from Mayo.
Everybody's walking! Sounds great to me.

@retiredteacher
Volunteer Mentor

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Diabetes & Endocrine System Support Group.

JK | @contentandwell | Jan 8, 2020
In reply to @retiredteacher "@contentandwell Yes. Diabetes means losing weight which helps the numbers. However, for me to lose weight..." + (show)
@retiredteacher

@contentandwell Yes. Diabetes means losing weight which helps the numbers. However, for me to lose weight I need to eat very little and exercise a lot. Since my feet are not cooperating, I cannot eat many of the foods on the diabetes diet. If I eat fruit, my blood spikes. So I eliminated fruit. I also have a problem with meat, so I'm getting very little protein. Some foods I ate when I was first diagnosed are no longer compatible with my diabetes. So a diet I would follow to lose weight has illegal food for diabetes. Everything has just gone awry. Today in researching I found again that age makes a big difference in the release of insulin and that most Type 2's eventually have to take insulin. I have tried very hard to be strict with myself and have been successful managing without medicines. However, it seems that in the last several months and since my feet gave out that nothing is working. Old age has a part in this chaos too. I just saw my endo ten days ago, and he told me to see a podiatrist. But, my husband's heart appointments are top priority now and until he is through his paces, I can't see about my problems. It is hard, but I do the best I can for my husband and for myself. Just have to be patient and take one day at a time.
Carol

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@retiredteacher I sympathize, Carol. You were so enthusiastic about the walking plan you started and I know you were very judicious about how you ate. Sometimes it just seems as if nothing works. I hope the visit to the podiatrist will help. If you get back to walking that would be great.
JK

REPLY
dorisena | @dorisena | Jan 9, 2020
In reply to @retiredteacher "@contentandwell Yes. Diabetes means losing weight which helps the numbers. However, for me to lose weight..." + (show)
@retiredteacher

@contentandwell Yes. Diabetes means losing weight which helps the numbers. However, for me to lose weight I need to eat very little and exercise a lot. Since my feet are not cooperating, I cannot eat many of the foods on the diabetes diet. If I eat fruit, my blood spikes. So I eliminated fruit. I also have a problem with meat, so I'm getting very little protein. Some foods I ate when I was first diagnosed are no longer compatible with my diabetes. So a diet I would follow to lose weight has illegal food for diabetes. Everything has just gone awry. Today in researching I found again that age makes a big difference in the release of insulin and that most Type 2's eventually have to take insulin. I have tried very hard to be strict with myself and have been successful managing without medicines. However, it seems that in the last several months and since my feet gave out that nothing is working. Old age has a part in this chaos too. I just saw my endo ten days ago, and he told me to see a podiatrist. But, my husband's heart appointments are top priority now and until he is through his paces, I can't see about my problems. It is hard, but I do the best I can for my husband and for myself. Just have to be patient and take one day at a time.
Carol

Jump to this post

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

REPLY
2 replies
kateia | @kateia | Jan 9, 2020
In reply to @retiredteacher "@contentandwell Yes. Diabetes means losing weight which helps the numbers. However, for me to lose weight..." + (show)
@retiredteacher

@contentandwell Yes. Diabetes means losing weight which helps the numbers. However, for me to lose weight I need to eat very little and exercise a lot. Since my feet are not cooperating, I cannot eat many of the foods on the diabetes diet. If I eat fruit, my blood spikes. So I eliminated fruit. I also have a problem with meat, so I'm getting very little protein. Some foods I ate when I was first diagnosed are no longer compatible with my diabetes. So a diet I would follow to lose weight has illegal food for diabetes. Everything has just gone awry. Today in researching I found again that age makes a big difference in the release of insulin and that most Type 2's eventually have to take insulin. I have tried very hard to be strict with myself and have been successful managing without medicines. However, it seems that in the last several months and since my feet gave out that nothing is working. Old age has a part in this chaos too. I just saw my endo ten days ago, and he told me to see a podiatrist. But, my husband's heart appointments are top priority now and until he is through his paces, I can't see about my problems. It is hard, but I do the best I can for my husband and for myself. Just have to be patient and take one day at a time.
Carol

Jump to this post

Your husband is very important to take care of but if you don't take care of yourself how are you going to care for him? Is there someone who can take him to an appointment if it interferes with your appointments? You need to see someone that can help you deal with your pain and determine whether it is diabetes caused or not. The longer you wait - the longer your pain exists. Also, if you need to start taking meds for your diabetes please do so. Your health is more important than fighting your blood levels all the time. Prayers to you as you go through your struggles.

REPLY
1 reply
Retired Teacher | @retiredteacher | Jan 9, 2020
In reply to @kateia "Your husband is very important to take care of but if you don't take care of..." + (show)
@kateia

Your husband is very important to take care of but if you don't take care of yourself how are you going to care for him? Is there someone who can take him to an appointment if it interferes with your appointments? You need to see someone that can help you deal with your pain and determine whether it is diabetes caused or not. The longer you wait - the longer your pain exists. Also, if you need to start taking meds for your diabetes please do so. Your health is more important than fighting your blood levels all the time. Prayers to you as you go through your struggles.

Jump to this post

@kateia Thanks for your concern. We have been in this situation for years, so we'll be okay. But, I will always put my husband first. I will get things taken care of---all in good time.
Carol

REPLY
Retired Teacher | @retiredteacher | Jan 9, 2020
In reply to @dorisena "Carol, have you considered Metformin as part of your regimen? When I was first diagnosed I..." + (show)
@dorisena

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

Jump to this post

@dorisena I am aware of Metformin and the other drugs for Diabetes. However, I think my endocrinologist knows best what I need. He says I am a controlled diabetic 2 and adding medicines that just mask but do not cure the disease are not necessary for me at this time.
Carol

REPLY
Mentor
Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Jan 10, 2020
In reply to @dorisena "Carol, have you considered Metformin as part of your regimen? When I was first diagnosed I..." + (show)
@dorisena

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

Jump to this post

Hello @dorisena
I realize that your post was directed to Carol, @retiredteacher, however, you make a good point about the use of Metformin. While I am just pre-diabetic, I also take Metformin in order to prevent the reoccurrence of a rare type of cancer. After I started to take Metformin I found myself not craving sweets like I used to. My weight has dropped a little (which was not necessary in my case).
I know that there are side-effects to all meds that we take. I suppose each of us, individually, and with our doctors OK need to decide if the possible side-effects are worth the possible help they may provide.

REPLY
1 reply
Retired Teacher | @retiredteacher | Jan 10, 2020
In reply to @hopeful33250 "Hello @dorisena I realize that your post was directed to Carol, @retiredteacher, however, you make a..." + (show)
@hopeful33250

Hello @dorisena
I realize that your post was directed to Carol, @retiredteacher, however, you make a good point about the use of Metformin. While I am just pre-diabetic, I also take Metformin in order to prevent the reoccurrence of a rare type of cancer. After I started to take Metformin I found myself not craving sweets like I used to. My weight has dropped a little (which was not necessary in my case).
I know that there are side-effects to all meds that we take. I suppose each of us, individually, and with our doctors OK need to decide if the possible side-effects are worth the possible help they may provide.

Jump to this post

@hopeful33250 I appreciate you comments, Teresa, and I am aware of Metformin and have discussed all of this with my endo. The side effects of that medicine are well documented and it is not for every diabetic. I have other issues that this medicine would not help, but make worse. I have read many, many articles, posts, and research and most indicate that this is a medicine that is prescribed too often. I have read posts on this forum that are anti-Metformin. As you said it's not for everybody, and it is a decision my dr. and I make. There is an article that explains this med that Big Pharma pushes doctors to prescribe. If you read "Doctors who know do not prescribe Metformin," you will see the problems. I am doing what I can and what I need to do. If I get to the point that I need a medicine, I'm sure it will not be Metformin. As you said, "We are all individuals and each case is different."
Carol

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