In case you could use something new/different to inspire you... One of our members, Ginger Vieira, has put out a great set of exercise videos for people with diabetes. You can check them out here. The whole set only costs $5, and Ginger donates all of the proceeds to help people with diabetes (not a bad cause ;)
The Diabetes Hands Foundation Development Manager, Corinna, just started using these videos and started a discussion about it, here.
Woah, lots of interesting stuff here since this AM. I'd offer that I disagree w/ one suggestion not to worry about your weight while worrying about your BG. I will see my weight creep up if my settings (I have a pump...) get a little bit hot, I'm eating jellybeans all the time or whatever. If things are "balanced", then I will cut my weight a bit. I try to get as close to the middle as possible, rather than high or low since, if I aim at low I might hit it. Running low trying to beat a high can be risky but can give you good info. I did a lot of guessing for a lot of years and gained quite a bit of weight.
Another suggestion I'd have might be to get a scale for food. I got one when I got my pump and it was really eye opening to weigh things I'd always just guessed at "oh, that's about a serving...". I don't use it all the time but it's there if I want to double-check and I think it's helped me a lot.
I understand what your saying... My point, though, was to tackle the problems in order of priority, so that she doesn't get overwhelmed, fail, and feel it's all too much.
Both tasks -- getting good control of BG on MDI, and losing more than a few pounds -- are very challenging, taxing objectives. Not everyone -- I'd say most people -- can take on two toughies like that at the same time they're also dealing with everything else life throws at them.
Of course, you are absolutely right that it shouldn't be outright ignored... anyone embarking on getting BG in line with insulin should at least be aware that it will lead to weight gain, and try not to let too much of that occur.
I stand by my advice, however, not to try to get the BG in line and at the same time take on significant weight loss. Especially for someone that has struggled with both unsuccessfully for a while.
Pick more modest goals and secure the wins... then build on that success!