So I have a feeling I'm diabetic

[TexasBushwhacker]

I was diagnosed with prediabetes about a year ago, altered my diet and brought things back to normal range. I lost my job 5 1/2 months ago and I've lived with depression for my entire adult life.. I'm 67 and at least 100 lbs overweight.

I've been feeling really fatigued and I know that can be a symptom of diabetes. I will be going to the doctor this week but whether it turns out I am diabetic or I'm not, I figure the best thing I can do is eat and exercise AS IF I'm diabetic.

So, any advice for a newbie?

[padfun]

1. I've been diabetic for 35 years

And I am now 68. And both of my brothers are diabetic, both over 65 years old (72 and 66)

At your age you shouldn't have to worry too much. Just keep the carbs low when you eat.
Any serious complications for diabetics usually happens several decades after they have been diagnosed.

[multigraincracker]

2. Keep moving.

Works for depression and blood sugar.
Best of luck.

[MLAA]

3. Great idea to work on your diet.

I’d suggest watching this movie for starters

Here’s a trailer for The Game Changers on Netflix. Best of luck!

Edited to add: if you watch it and want any further suggestions just DM me.

[MOMFUDSKI]

4. Exercise burns carbs and lowers blood sugar.

Get a carb counter book/app and count the carbs you are eating. See a diabetic counselor to learn a lot. Relax. Breathe. You got this!

[woodsprite]

5. One of the first things I was told was

1) Try to limit my carbs at each meal - 45 grams at each meal for males, 30 each for females. 2-3 snacks a day that include protein and no more than 15 grams of carbs at each snack,

2) Walk at least 30 min a day. My dr suggested 10 min after each meal to start.

3) Drink your water! My uro said I should be drinking at least eight 16oz glasses a day flushes the sugars out with your urine. Dehydration can make your sugars go up.

[LetMyPeopleVote]

6. They will start you on metformin

About 9 months ago, my endocrinologist started me on Trulicity (which is a version of Ozempic that has been out since 2014). I have lost 50 pounds and I am now on 25% of the insulin that I was taking. There are reports of people who are on Ozempic or similar drugs not needing any insulin and only taking the once a week shot

[mahina]

7. Do I ever!

Great timing on the question because I just watched this video this morning. For Christmas I bought the books How Not to Die for my family and myself. Dr Greger's website has all his information on it for free. He is not hustling you. https://nutritionfacts.org

I am persuaded and am changing. Plant-based plus exercise, starting small and improving. will get you there with joy and energy.

?si=Tmq8wTKPdp6rkK3s

aloha

[applegrove]

8. I'm newly diabetic. I find a dietician really helpfull.

I'm on an old diabetes med and I find I am losing weight.

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

9. Lose the weight.

Being at least 100 lbs overweight is a serious issue.

Lose the weight. No excuses. Exercise is not going to anything.

[Jacson6]

11. When you are elderly that is easier said then done. n/t

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

12. I'm 75, which I suppose is elderly.

Several years ago I dropped 30 - 40 pounds simply by eating less, every day. How bizarre is that?

One huge problem in our culture is that restaurant meals are HUGE, far beyond what anyone actually needs. But most people eat all or most of those meals. And we're surprised we're all overweight?

Plus there's things like soft drinks. Some times when I'm in the grocery store I'm astonished at how many of those huge things of soft drinks people have in their carts. I stopped buying soft drinks about 35 years ago, when I realized my young son was consuming far more of them than was good. It annoyed me a lot, because I like soft drinks, but I gave them up. Not a problem, as it turned out. These days, the only times I have a soft drink is when on a long distance drive, and I'll get one just to control my thirst. Other than that, I haven't had a soft drink in decades. And I don't miss them.

[Jacson6]

10. You should go to the urgent care if you have Medicare and get a blood sugar level check.

and then make an appointment to see your doctor. If your blood sugar level is over two hundred they will send you to the ER right away.