Damn, girl. Damn, damn, damn. A person can eat a LOT of cheese. A LOT of tuna fish. A LOT of fish in general.

Don't worry about the woulda/shoulda/couldas, hon. What's past is past. Take it one day at a time, and know that you've got a lot of love and support on your side. Call me if you need anything. Anything.

Love you.
xoxox

Hi Sandy. I don't usually leave comments but I had to this time. The diabetes (sorry I haven't read all the other comments on this)... you can handle it. Just the concept - you can handle it. You have the right attitude - it snapped you into the attitude of "let's do our best to combat this with lifestyle changes". That's a big commitment that not everybody will do.

I know a lady who was in her late 50s when she was diagnosed with diabetes. Weight loss and diet plus exercise = no more diabetes. Period. It's possible for some people to overcome the symptoms. I know you can do it. If your body will let you. (((Hugs))) Best wishes for success in your effort. :)

I am so sorry about you diagnosis Sandy.
I was diagnosed with type-2 diabetes in April and was terribly depressed about it, not to mention so very sick for several months trying to get used to the medication and having my blood sugars in the "normal" range.
Diabetes runs in my immediate family and extended (on both sides!)
You would think I would have taken better care of myself just with that family history, but as hard as I tried I just got so busy taking care of kids and my family that I was the last person I thought about at the end of the day. But now I put myself first (with in reason, LOL)
So I am rooting for you! I know you can beat this!

Speaking of Diabetes, have you seen Knittin Mom's Diabetes socks?
http://knittinmom.blogspot.com/

Oh no... this sucks! But it is reversible, and you're going to reverse right out of there. In high gear! Go go go. :-)

Here we go with the parellel lives again!
For the past 18 months, every blood sugar reading for me has been higher....in that time span I went from borderline to pre-diabetic, and this is despite the fact that I lost 40 pounds. I am now down 50 pounds, and my next check-up is in November. I make a habit now to go for a walk as soon as I drop my youngest off for work. It actually helps put me in a better mood too. I follow the "Rosedale Diet". This is really geared toward people who have high blood sugar, etc. Only after getting this book, do I FINALLY understand what is good to eat for diabetics. And congratulations on losing 15 pounds! I went to the gyne Dr. today, and really, I expected a modest parade celebration for losing 50 pounds since my last visit. Really. What a letdown that they didn't even mention it!! And at my last gyne visit, I got read the riot act about my weight, so it's really annoying that I didn't even rate them NOTICING.
We can do it, we can do it!!!

I feel your pain!! It is soooo incredibly hard to give up foods that we love!! I have battled my weight all my life....it is a struggle no doubt! I think that fact that you have lost 15 pounds is WONDERFUL!!! You have acknowledged what you need to do, the risks, etc. I predict you will "make it"!

So sorry to hear the news, but take heart. It sounds like you're already heading in the right direction. Hmmm - can you knit a new pancreas?

The past can't change, but the future is definitely gonna. Let me know if there is anything at all I can do to support you in this.

You can do it!! Finding out that I had borderline osteopenia at 31 (due to celiac disease) inspired me to take up exercise and get my bone density back into the normal range. These scares can do the trick.

No shouldas here at all. Sometimes things just aren't quite that easy adn you do the best you can. Congrats on losing 15 pounds! As for the carbs, take that slowly. I'm a serious carb addict, but after lowering it a lot I've found I don't have the same kinds of cravings. One thing that really worked for me was having a carb "treat" to look forward to once a day. I'd be lower carb most of the time, but have rice with dinner or a cookie or two as a snack. Helped keep me sane and give some balance.

Hugs, Sandy! I am confident you'll be able to control this with diet and exercise. I need to join you so let me know what you are doing. I am hypoglycemic (opposite of diabetes) but need to be, per my nutritionist, on a diabetic diet. Think that I'll look at Web MD for a diet. I also get some diebetic news emails I can forward to you. You might find them helpful in controlling your blood sugar. Good Luck!

Ang

Congrats on losing weight! I too have been trying to cut back and over the past two months I lose about 17lbs by cutting calories down to 900/day. My biggest friend is popcorn. Filling and low-cal. Also, when I joined BzzAgent they sent me free samples of Simplicity to try... zero calories to sweeten my tea.

Most of the senior members of my family are diabetic so I'm pretty sure that it's in my future and I can totally empathize and understand not taking action in anticipation. What's most important is the 15 lbs you lost (hooray!) and keeping a positive and healthy attitude towards it. My grandparents were able to control theirs with a careful diet for many years.

Oh big hugs to you!! I'll join you in your fiber diet.

Congrats on the 15 pounds lost! I am doing Weight Watchers too. I have a couple of my favorite recipes I will send you.I am listening to that wake up call with you.

Ok, so it's official: Meat-topped salads for you and me in Rhinebeck, girl. Yay!

Oh, Sandy! That's you there beside me in this boat (type 2 diabetes -- controled - ha ha - with diet and exercise.)

Many many hugs to you babe.

Congrats on the 15 lbs! You can do it! I'm in a high risk category for diabetes among other things. I struggle with the starches and sugars all the time. I have a ton of excellent replacement recipes for "the good stuff". Even for pasta and cookies. If you want some killer recipes or cook book ideas, let me know and I'll happily pass them on.

Sandy-
15lbs is great! Congrats! I, too, am in the same boat as you... we can talk "offline" as I have some GREAT yummy nutritious low-carb/good carb (not atkins, but more carb-friendly) recipes. They have dramamtically stabilized my insulin/sugar ratios and have helped me lose some weight (more needed, but heay--- it's a start). Dan has grown to love these recipes... and I would be happy to share them!

:) Kate
you sister in weight loss... ha ha ha

Ouch. You are doing the right thing. It is worth ANYTHING to get out of the Hemoglobin A1C abnormal range. Anything.

Oh, Sandy. Fortunately you can turn this around with diet and exercise and it sounds like you've already started and are on a roll. 15 lbs is a wonderful start. 2 years ago I was obese and hated what I saw in the mirror. I was also terrified of becoming diabetic and going into menopause fat. I lost 47 lbs over a summer and fall and have mostly kept it off. I gained some of it back last winter and this summer lost most of it- I have 9 lbs to go. You CAN do it and we will all be routing for you girl! Hugs.

oh sandy. i'm sorry. but it's good news though that you can potentially control your diabetes with diet and exercise.

i'm thinking of you.

Hey it sounds like you're making great progress. Losing 15 pounds in 3 months is good and keeping up with the exercise is good. My husband has diabetes. We found out right before Christmas a few years ago and there was no chance of it swinging back into the non-diabetic category. Not the best time to try to adjust your diet. If you can swing it, see if they have diabetes classes in your area. They are worth it for food planning alone. One of the things they emphasize is to eat healthy. You don't avoid carbs, you eat them in moderation. They even said it's okay to have the occasional piece of cake, as long as it doesn't become a habit. The American Diabetes Association has some great cookbooks too. The meal planning books include all of your favorite foods. Keep up the good work!

Yarn - no carbs

Fiber - no carbs

Sky - no carbs

See, you have lots of favorite things that aren't carbs. Granted, they aren't food either, but I'm working hard here so you'll have to meet me halfway.

Best wishes for you.

Oh, hon, you can do it. I know you can. I am doing WW too -- it's a pain, but worth it. I'll be checking in with you, okay? Just think about tomorrow. Then tomorrow, the next. You can do it.

Finally, after 22 weeks, I'm at 10 lbs. lost. I sure hope the next 5 or 10 (or 15 would be really, really good) comes off a LITTLE easier. I feel like I've got a good start -- and you do, too!

Let's make a pact. No looking back. Only in this moment and the future. A future of being fitter and leaner and healthier. And not insulin dependant yet. Looking forward to a positive future. We've been doing WW here too-Pete is going to meetings and the rest of us (that are still home) are counting points in solidarity. Giving up those carbs are the hardest for me, but when you can trade out a bagel for a lot more food, you do it.

So-high fiber is good too. Here is one of my tricks. Fiber One and All Bran Extra Fiber- a single serving of 1/2 cup is for all intents and purposes (according to the sliding scale) zero points. Now, you say yuck. BUT! Take a cereal you like, reduce the serving to 1/2 cup and add the fiber cereal (14 grams of fiber!!! Can you beat that!?), it isn't like eating total twigs (the Fiber One has a better texture and taste than the All Bran, but I like both now) and gets all that good stuff in you (and in the way of fiber-out of you too!)

I'll pass along other little tips as I think of them. Looking forward, to the woman who will be chasing around her grandchildren, slimmer, healthier, more active, and hiking some mountains with me! Make it a goal. Visualize girl!

15 pounds...that is a GREAT start! Being of that menopausal age and having both a dad and a granddad who have struggled with type 2 diabetes and a cousin with juvenile diabetes, you would think I would be a svelte thing too...nope.....fat. I just joined WW myself! I'll be right there with you!

It's terrific that you've been given a chance to rectify the situation! We can't change the things that have already happened, but some small lifestyle amendments will change what doesn't need to happen!

Good luck with it all.

You can do it! Don't kick yourself for what you may or may not have done--focus on all the things you CAN (and will) do!

Yes, all those foods you listed have carbs, but as was mentioned above, there are good carbs and not so good carbs. Good carbs include (from your list) yogurt with fruit or granola, dried mangos, peaches.

Think whole grains for your breads and pastas. I've found a couple whole wheat pastas, and one of them actually tastes pretty good, and has the right mouth-feel that's so important with pasta (self-proclaimed pasta ho here!).

If you have to have some white bread in your diet now and then, make sure it's sour dough. The fermentation that makes the bread dough sour eats up the simple sugars, making the bread better for you than ordinary white bread.

You can do it, Sandy. Keep losing that weight, discover a new, healthier way of eating (not a diet, think of it as a life-style change instead), and avoid that nasty diabetes that will rob your children of their mother before her time.

Diabetes, be gone! You're doing great - Go, Sandy, Go!

Remember that not all carbs are bad. We need them for energy. Try to get the majority of your carbs from whole wheat, unprocessed sources. I feel your pain, I've gained so much weight since turning 40. I'm pretty active and try to eat right, but these hormones are really playing havoc with my body. I've been in denial for quite some time and it's here - I'm fat - and I can't deny it any longer. I'll be thinking of you and wishing you luck as you try to live healthier so you can live better. :o)

15 pounds in 3 months is AWESOME!!! Keep eating healthier and hopefully it will all be okay.

I did the Flex with WW to lose most of my weight, and then I switched to the WW Core. I eat a lot less bread now. I've been really happy with Core. The beauty of it is that it's still a balance. It's not a low carb thing; it's a smart carb thing. Just making a suggestion.

(((HUGS)))

I feel for you Sandy. All of my favourite foods are carb related, come to think of it I think I unintentionally put myself on a high carb diet! Bagels, cereal, muffins,english muffins,toast,granola bars & donuts we can't forget donuts!

You are already doing fantastic, 15lbs,keep it up! When you are having a bad day and a jones'n for a carb, come to us we'll be here for moral support. Don't dwell on the shoulda coulda, focus on the gonna :-)

Well, I do have empathy for you, as I count WW points and get more exercise. If I can do it, you can, too! C'mon Sandy.

Those wake up calls are always unwelcome but thank goodness we get them in time! You can do it. There are so many helpful recipes and food facts on Diabetes and the food can be very good. You can have the bread (on occasion) and even a sweet treat from time to time. But, mostly you need to eat your veggies just like your mother said;-)

You can do this. Remember to take those baby steps and you will get where you need to be. I have faith in you.

*hugs*

I'm 36 yrs old and lately I've had this annoying indigestion every day. Not really bad, but enough to remind me that I'm NOT taking care of my body. And I say I'm going to start every day and I never ever do.

I've got my fingers crossed for you too. We've got diabetes on all sides in my family. Why is it that the stuff that tastes so good is the same stuff that's going to kill us?

I am back on Weight Watchers, as diabetes is in my family too. Don't try to make drastic changes, but switch things out if you can. Regular pasta to whole wheat pasta! I have to admit that I am a carb-whore, and the more I avoid over processed carbs, the better I feel, and the less likely I am to binge on something.

You can do it Sandy! Every pound gone effects your cholesterol and your insulin. Sometimes it is finding the ongoing will power needed that is hardest.

So, you're shrinking down? That's great. And 15# in three months is pretty quick. Do we need to take you to Downtown Crossing to get you some new clothes? (And there's that new Filene's Basement on Boylston Street.)
I hope you can get to the level that it works out that you'll NOT have diabetes. [Fingers crossed.]

Wake up indeed. I too got that wake up call, only mine is the cholesterol levels. Along with some heart flutters and occasional strange sensations in that area (and a seriously strong family history of heart attacks). Join me for a salad sometime!

You can do it, Sandy. Make the change, one little step, errr, carb, at a time. I'm walking right beside you, my friend.