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Posted 6/10/2010 11:00 PM (GMT 0)
On Dec 07, 2009, I visited my local hospital, where my family GP is an internal specialist. I had not had a checkup for about 10 years or so. I had been feeling a little "toxic" is the best term I can think of, especially after sweets. I am not , and have never been a sweetaholic, but I do love bread. I am a pastry chef , by trade....Yes the irony is enough to make me puke, figuratively. I need to taste what I make, everyday. Anyways , after my initial exam: BP high normal, weight good: Actually another irony is I have about 6% bodyfat. When I was younger, I did a lot of strength training, and was much heavier, (275lbs). I wasn't AS lean, but in my entire life, have never been corpulent. When I got a call a few days later, my GP had a note of concern in his voice: I want you to go to the nearest drugstore and purchase this prescription. My fasting blood sugar was 16.7! (300.6). One of my symptoms, prompting this checkup had been an insatiable THIRST. I mean 6 litres of liquid consciously consumed everyday, plus whatever else was part of my daily food intake. Another sign was chronic weight loss. NO matter what I ate, and I do and always have been very choosy about what I eat: I buy into the mantra......."You are what you eat". Lately though, I could consume 4000-5000 calories a day, and NOT gain........It just didn't make sense to me. To make a long story short, 6 months later, my hemaglobin A is now 5.5. I am told that at the hospital, I am the "star" diabetics patient. There are no secrets, I suppose that A) I am fortunate not to be overweight, and B) I know how to prepare healthy, tasty satisfying food. I am also as disciplined as a pit bull. I will not sneak a piece of cake, I won't eat white flour. I cannot cheat and use refined sugar..........The bottom line is : I care too much about my health, to trash it just because of FOOD. I love food, make no mistake.......No, I live for food. I just have had to find healthy alternatives, or make them. I suppose I should mention that the results were achieved with 2,000 MG of Metformin daily, and some serious dietary modifications, mostly portion control, and at least 30 minutes of exercise EVERY day. I hope some of this has provided encouragement..........It can be done, it just takes determination.

Post Edited (dohhead) : 6/10/2010 5:03:52 PM (GMT-6)
Posted 6/11/2010 3:07 PM (GMT 0)
Well done doh :-)
Posted 6/11/2010 10:17 PM (GMT 0)
Good on you, controlled with diet..........Awesome, you're doing something right. Here is a link to my blog......it's not about living with Diabetes, but I do post photos and descriptions of meals I have prepared, and I will be adding a repertoire of carb-aware treats and baked goods. Cheers all, Dohhead.

http://dohhead.typepad.com/blog/
Posted 6/12/2010 3:02 AM (GMT 0)
Doh,
I'm a wedding cake designer by trade... and I don't even think about tasting what I make. I have been doing what you are doing, 2000mg metformin a day and very little sugar or grain products. An added bonus is that without the carbs my arthritis inflammation is lower.

Glad to make a new friend here. Not so happy about the reason but it certainly helps to have friends in your corner when you need moral support (or a good kick in the buns!) I couldn't have survived this long with diabetes or gotten off my insulin without this website and all my buddies.
Posted 6/12/2010 3:07 PM (GMT 0)
I love hearing about people who grab the bull by the horns (and stare the beastie down :-)

Kudos to you, Doh!!

Looking forward to hearing more about what works for you - sharing first-hand knowledge is one of the best ways (I think) to learn about the D. Don't be a stranger to posting or replying to posts :-)
Posted 6/12/2010 4:48 PM (GMT 0)
Phishbowl, kudos to your spunk. Type 1, that's some grit required, dude. I stare down my demon MFer everyday, and defy it to beat me! Power to you. I find yogurt does wonders for a sweet fix, sprinkled with a little fibre1, or wheat germ, some fresh berries......No change to the sugar level. Also, for my bread fix, I make a 95% sour rye, that is nice and airy (for a rye), has a ton of flavor, and really fills me up. Kashi bars, 17-20 grams net carbs, great on - the - go carb fixes, as well. Visit my blog, I'll be posting some more healthy carb aware ideas, for meals and snacks, cheers, Dohhead
Posted 6/12/2010 4:55 PM (GMT 0)
Jeannie, keep at it, geez........No cake, that buttercream, Italian meringue, Dacquoise, (sigh!) My sympathies. But, you're doing it, right? We really don't have a choice, the alternative is too scary, cheers, Dohhead.
Posted 6/13/2010 5:14 PM (GMT 0)
LOL... between you and Jeannie, doh, I'm reminded of the Hershey Factory tour I'd taken a few times.

Every time I'd first walk in, I'd think I was in heaven. The smell of chocolate and vanilla was divine and made my mouth water. Watching the factory workers made me think they had the best jobs! Well, somewhere around the 25-30 minute mark... the sickly sweet smell of all that chocolate, candy, sugar, cookies, etc... made me want to lose it. The last thing I was interested in by the end of the tour (conveniently in the "Store"), was purchasing any chocolate/candy of any kind. I was happy to fulfill any orders I may've had but, I had no desire to eat any of it.

I think I might know how you stay away from all that cake and pastry :-)

Kris
Posted 6/13/2010 9:43 PM (GMT 0)
I take it then Phishbowl, that you must live close to PA? I think if I lived anywhere close to Amish country, I'd be the size of one of their farm animals! All that home-cooked food. You're right about being around all that sweet stuff. Once you're immersed in the smell, and the production aspects of it..........You sort of get your fill, and you don't crave it. I always crave bred though, no matter what.....Great bread, some aromatic cheese (read, stinky), and a vintage wine, or artisan beer.......That's as good as it gets, for me anyways..........Cheers, D.
Posted 6/15/2010 1:25 AM (GMT 0)
Nope. I'm Canadian, eh. :-) Live in our nation's capital (Ottawa). The factory is/was about a 30 minute drive outside the city but, it closed down 2 years ago - struggling economy and all that.

Me, I'm a real candy freak and sourpuss. And I love my meat :-) Before the 'D', my loves were bubble gum, candy (especially sour) and french fries with salt & vinegar. Was never into breads, cakes, pies, or most dessert-like things (despite growing up with them available every day - Mom was old-school :-) Pop was something we had a little glass of on special occasions and chips were bought for parties and pic-nics.

I have to say though, over the past few years especially, I've learned to appreciate food a lot more. It's all about quality not quantity for me. There's nothing I deprive myself of but, everything I put in my mouth has a value to it. I won't just eat a candy bar, for example but, I would (and do) savour a square of Lindt dark chocolate almost every night after dinner. I still love fries but, I'll eat them with a meal (that usually includes salad) to keep the portions in check. I'm a berry freak! I eat them every day but, I'd never eat a whole banana. I hear ya on the cheese, beer and wine... Hubby is Swiss-German (think cheese, chocolate, and beer :-) and we make our own wine (and appreciate others). Mmmmm... I'll have some of that stinky cheese with an heirloom tomato off the vine with some quality EVOO and basalmic vinegar, and OK... some crispy aromatic bread and quality sausage meats. Top it off with some wine and the outdoors on a beautiful sunny day.....I'm there!

Cheers,
Kris
Posted 6/15/2010 11:47 AM (GMT 0)
Might as well throw in one of Jeannie's cakes too at this virtual picnic yeah

... but only one cake per picnicker turn
Posted 6/18/2010 6:46 PM (GMT 0)
A whole cake ?!!? Wow! You're generous, Chris! :-) I'm sure Jeannie appreciates your generosity, too - LOL!

Kris
Posted 6/18/2010 7:45 PM (GMT 0)
Well, a virtual cake ;-)
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