this is excellent advice, a food diary with bg is really helpful, as you
will se on this group if you read archives, some can tolerate small amounts
of potato while not tolerating bananas at all, and so on, Lee
"Janet" > wrote in message
...
> Kate wrote:
>
> <snip>
>
>> What a neat group of educated folks here.
>>
>> I spoke with my doc's nurse yesterday, and I will be going
>> back to see the doc the first week in January. I need to get all the
>> blood workup done again, and I am happy to do this.
>>
>> For now, she does not recommend that I get a machine to test my BG
>> levels.
>> The worst part of all of this is that the tests will be performed
>> right after the holidays. Oh well, I am determined to eat better.
>>
>> Thanks again.
>>
>> Kate- Who is now down 6 lbs.
>
> Kate, if you can afford to buy a WalMart meter and strips, I would
> *consider* setting aside the nurse's advice, which is probably predicated
> on the idea that "if the doctor didn't prescribe it, you don't need it."
> It sounds like you may not in fact absolutely need it, but IMHO if you are
> going to go through the trouble to seriously revamp your eating habits you
> might as well really know what ou are dealing with--assuming that the cost
> of a cheap WalMart meter and strips is not a problem for you. I also think
> that meter results might help you get through the holidays eating
> realistically. You would know what you really can eat, rather than feeling
> helplessly that you "ought" to cut out this or that.
>
> I can also contrast the feeling I had when first DXed of feeling helpless:
> all food seemed like poison. What could I eat? What couldn't I eat? It was
> so overwhelming. After I got my meter and started testing, I at least
> could feel that I was proceding under my own control, no longer powerless.
> There is a lot to be said for that.
>
> I think it's great that your doctor is sufficiently proactive to give you
> good advice about taking measures to stave off T2 before--hopefully--you
> have a full-blown condition. As I and many others can testify, this
> happens all-too infrequently.
>
> In my small sample of one, I have found that those involved with diabetes
> treatment and education seem to regard those of us who take our condition
> into our own hands as almost unique. They seem to be accustomed to dealing
> with those who are barely compliant, and often seem to tailor their advice
> to that which they think the barely compliant may actually be willing to
> do, which is understandable.
>
> Ironically, in the middle of typing this post, the diabetes case manager
> called to check in with me. She is very supportive, and made some good
> suggestions about strategies for managing my desired increased carb
> intake, addressing specific weightloss goals, etc. I asked her if, as I
> have gotten the feeling, I am the exception amongst those she deals with,
> and whether advice was often tailored to those who are, shall we say, less
> compliant. She--very diplomatically--confirmed my impression. She said
> that many people are simply overwhelmed, and seem to remain so even in the
> longer term. It seems to be a combination of factors: some are of the
> mindset that the doctor will fix any illness with a pill. Some don't seem
> to take seriously the idea that uncontrolled BGs can result in blindness
> and other complications. Many don't seem to believe that they can really
> significantly control their own BGs and really can avoid complications if
> they are willing to work on their eating and exercise habits.
>
> It sounds as if you are planning to continue this course of action for
> several months. I would suggest that if you are going to devote the effort
> to changing your eating patterns--in a way that is, let's face it, not
> convenient or particularly pleasant--and losing weight that you might as
> well do it right: keep a detailed food diary accompanied by a record of BG
> testing. If nothing else, after that time you will know what is really
> happening with your body. I think it is always better to be armed with
> knowledge.
>
> BTW, what are you doing to lose weight? Have you adopted a particular
> calorie target, have you upped your exercise, are you keeping a food
> diary, etc? Do you have a rough weekly goal?
>
>