Just diagnosed with Diabetes page

[heatherok]

Hi everyone.

First, while I have tried PB before, I am not currently practicing.

Today, I found out that I have moved from pre-diabetic to diabetic. This is after a year of taking Metformin, a drug meant to help control blood glucose. Of course, during the same time, I ate tons of fried foods and other bad foods, as much as I liked, without regard for my help.

I am 334 pounds, 5'10, female, and 31 years old.

I'm scared and don't know whether I should just try a lower calorie diet, or whether I should try PB again.

Regardless of what I choose, I am not able to spend a fortune on uncured bacon, grass fed beef, and organic arugula. So if buying fancy, "Whole Foods" type groceries is required, I might as well not even bother. That said, I have what lots of wealthy people don't, and that is time. I am able to prepare meals myself and I do not need to rely on convenience foods.

The last time I tried PB, I was way, way more interested in eating eggs scrambled in bacon grease than I was in eating salads. However, I do like fruits and vegetables and am willing to eat them.

P.S. I just joined a gym yesterday. I'm the type that likes to do a vigorous 30 minutes on elliptical. My understanding is that cardio such like that is frowned upon on span. Thoughts?

[Paleobird]

Hi Heather,
Welcome back.
This guy's journal is something that I found very inspiring when I first started PB. He starts off with a brand new diagnosis of diabetes as well. How he managed to not just "manage" that condition but reverse it entirely is nothing short of amazing.

http://www.marksdailyapple.com/forum/thread12987.html

My father, also diabetic has just recently gone Primal with great results. Swelling and neuropathy pains in his feet are gone and his blood pressure is that of an athletic young man. At 86!

Please, don't "try" PB. Jump in feet first.
And no, you don't have to go for the spendy options, just real food.
A little elliptical training won't hurt you. The chronic cardio Mark is talking about is running marathons.

No more excuses. Just do it.

[heatherok]

Thanks for the advice! I know I need to do this. I just worry about being able to sustain it.

[emmie]

Since your primary goal HAS to be controlling your blood sugar, I'd suggest you check out Dr. Richard Bernstein of Diabetes Solution. He has books, but his website is very, very informative in terms of how to eat to manage your diabetes. Nothing he suggests is contrary to Primal eating, but he explains how to control carbs most effectively (a MUST for any diabetic).

[CarlaC]

Thanks for the advice! I know I need to do this. I just worry about being able to sustain it.

I know it can seem like a lot to bite off, but if you approach it one day at a time you will find it to be a very easy lifestyle. I came to primal after 60 days of Atkins induction so it was easy for me! Nothing scared me as much as pre-diabetes. It's just nothing to mess around with. You are very young and you have a chance to reverse your weight and sugar issues, or you can keep going the way you have been and be blind and with some portion of the four limbs you currently have. It's just really, really bad. Don't worry about buying grass fed products, etc- do what you can do in that regard. Focus on the carb counts and the clean eating aspect. I would never have believed I could do this for so long- and trust me when I tell you I have NO desire to return to the SAD.

Good luck.

[Metric]

Hi everyone.

First, while I have tried PB before, I am not currently practicing.

Today, I found out that I have moved from pre-diabetic to diabetic. This is after a year of taking Metformin, a drug meant to help control blood glucose. Of course, during the same time, I ate tons of fried foods and other bad foods, as much as I liked, without regard for my help.

I am 334 pounds, 5'10, female, and 31 years old.

I'm scared and don't know whether I should just try a lower calorie diet, or whether I should try PB again.

Regardless of what I choose, I am not able to spend a fortune on uncured bacon, grass fed beef, and organic arugula. So if buying fancy, "Whole Foods" type groceries is required, I might as well not even bother. That said, I have what lots of wealthy people don't, and that is time. I am able to prepare meals myself and I do not need to rely on convenience foods.

The last time I tried PB, I was way, way more interested in eating eggs scrambled in bacon grease than I was in eating salads. However, I do like fruits and vegetables and am willing to eat them.

P.S. I just joined a gym yesterday. I'm the type that likes to do a vigorous 30 minutes on elliptical. My understanding is that cardio such like that is frowned upon on span. Thoughts?

I agree with Paleobird 100%. If you can't afford grass-fed, organic, uncured-bacon; that's fine. Just stick to whole foods and get the very best that you can afford. If this means non-organic veggies, that's okay. Just make sure you give your veggies a good wash before eating them. Also, I may be wrong, but if you're not opposed to offal, I think they are generally cheaper, so you may be able to save some money by combining offal during some of your days. Most important thing is to eat WHOLE REAL FOODS.

As for exercise, it is often frowned upon to do chronic cardio. That said, 30 vigorous minutes on the elliptical every couple of days will do you good. If you can make them elliptical type sprints, even better. Walk as much as you can. If you are able to walk to the store to get your groceries, etc, this all adds up. Also, don't be afraid to add some weight training and body weight movements in there. Things like pull-ups/push-ups/planks/squats can be done with relatively no equipment. If you can't do some of these, there are some adjustments that can be made until you can do the movements on your own. ie: wall-pushups or push-ups on knees. Most of these (except for pull-ups) can be done in the privacy of your home, outdoors or at the gym. If you can find a playground, if they have monkey bars, you can often use those for pull-ups (I still can't do one of these ... but working towards it).

[lssanjose]

Your initial tactic, in tackling diabetes, should be switching from dietary starches, time more dietary fat. If you can't afford grass fed, just trim the excess fat, and getting some good oils (coconut, butter, olive oil) it also won't hurt to throw in a little more protein

[TorMag]

Sorry to hear that you have joined the diabetic club, but the good news is you can take control of it and not let it control you. First of all, don't panic, it is not a death sentence. I am a type II diabetic, I have been primal for 9 months now and have lost over 80 pounds. Went from 370 to 287 as of yesterday. I have not bought one ounce of grass feed anything, don't have it in the budget. However, I have been eating clean, whole foods for 9 months. Dropped the grains, dropped the sugars from my life. For the first 7 months, I did no other exercise than walk 6 days a week. You said you have time, then use some of that each day for walking. Get up to at least four miles a day.

Have I cured myself of diabetes? The answer is no, the sugars are still pretty bad, but I am hoping that someday I might. Yours is in the very early stage, most people who catch it early can cure it. The bottom line, for most type II's, if you lose the weight, you will be off all meds in no time.

This is a great place to hang out and you will get lots of support.

[Dr. Bork Bork]

Hands down, choose PB. There's nothing wrong with a diet rich in meat, vegetables, and fruit. It's helped keep me off of insulin & metformin for a year and a half.

[sbhikes]

I estimate yesterday's food intake including coffee and wine at about $20. And that was all grass-fed, wild-caught, pasture-raised organic stuff. And I ate too much yesterday so this morning I had no breakfast. I really don't think eating this way is too expensive, especially if you don't get grass-fed, wild-caught, pasture-raised organic stuff. And if you keep it low carb, ample protein, and super nutrient dense (eat your liver!) you may find you eat much much less which further saves money. If you can get off the diabetes meds, you'll save even more money.