I decided after working and reading and sorting out all the options that I needed to focus and get my act together and so I started working hard core at losing weight. You can go at my doctor office to dietician meetings whenever you want so I stopped in and did a refresher on measuring and goals. I modified the heck out of the doctor's diet and stayed on what I call a No Carb/Lo Carb diet - Mediterranean Diet for gastroparesis. I can't exercise because of neuropathy pain like some people do but I walk as much as I can -- but lets face it, as a full time teacher I don't have much personal time. This wasn't going to be easy.
After a very focused 5 months, I had a great doctor visit. My blood work was awesome, AiC 4.6. Cholesterol, etc all great. Oh, and I had lost 50 pounds. My doctor was thrilled and after working hard for this I am off the insulin. I knew there was only one way to get rid of the two kinds of insulin, 4x a day injections, lose the weight. As a T2 with gastroparesis, BSs were really unstable and unpredictable and I didn't think we'd ever get here but we did. After a month on Byetta (and a month of throwing up - lost another 15 pounds) I was switched to Victoza and life is good. One shot a day. BS in the zone. NO NAUSEA! and no insulin. I think I wore out two sets of measuring cups but war is hell!
So -- Don't Give Up. The reading, the measuring, the watching, the testing, it was all worth it. My doctor asked me, doesn't it feel good after all this work to see the results? Oh yeah. It will be awhile until I meet my goal weight but meeting that first goal felt great.
wow- good for you! congratulations and keep up the amazing work you're doing!
OK - update!
I have now lost 100 pounds. I am on a smaller dose of Victoza and my AIC is 5.2. No more lows. I am as stable as stable can be. GROOVY!
I also started going to the Y and exercising. Who has the time. Not me, really. So I decided small increments and do your best and don't be obsessed with going every day. Can't do it. I am now going x3-4 times a week for small visits and I go on the treadmill - 25 minute mile and another machine called the nustep for 10 minutes and then I'm home. Basically it is like a stair master working your arms and legs but you sit down. I also starting lifting some weights once a week on the weekend to work on my arms. Its hard going after work -- I'm really tired and the neuropathy is a true pain. I get REALLY bored after 25 minutes on the treadmill so I usually stop and don't do the 30 minutes I started with. That's when the pain pushes me off. So gotta rethink that. But my heart rate is where it should be so gradual is the plan. And Aleve is my BFF.
When the weather warms up I want to start swimming but this chick is not getting in a pool until the sun is shining. Too cold! I hear that is better on the neuropathy.
I still have more weight to lose but its coming off. Isn't it funny that sometimes I still feel huge and the same size as I started. But I think about it, look back at some pictures and realize I've come a long way. I was hoping for a better situation with the neuropathy pain but so far, same 'ol, same 'ol.
Everyone out there DON'T GIVE UP. In three months, if my numbers stay good, doctor is talking about looking at taking me off the Victoza = JUST oral meds. YeeeeeeeHaw. That would be such a miracle. I know would love to cut down the meds I take. And that is truly my carrot.
Have FAITH - you can do it.
Work with FERVOR - be passionate about your health.
FOCUS on you and your health.
FINISH the job. I'll be at the finish line before you know it!
Good Luck everyone!
So tell me about your diet plan. I'm interested! T1 x 34 years.
