Today approximately 31.4 million Americans have Type 2 Diabetes and 1 in 3 have pre-diabetes. It’s the fastest growing condition in the country and is marked by obesity, low energy, excessive thirst and a variety of other symptoms. In many ways it’s a lifestyle disease. While the initial treatment for it is monitoring blood sugar and A1C levels, if not managed well, Type 2 Diabetes can expand into serious health conditions like heart and kidney disease, diabetes retinopathy, poor circulation and neuropathy in the limbs.
I started working with Carol in July of 2020. She is in her late 60’s, a retired nurse with lots to live for. She knew she needed nutritional support as she wasn’t feeling well with the foods she was eating, and knew they weren’t the best for her overall well-being or for her weight. Her Mom is 94 years, in good health, a plus for Carol’s genes.
Her goals at the start of our work together were:
“ to feel better, lose some weight, relax, be less anxious, cook healthier, eat healthier , cut out the carbs ”
Carol had concerns about her previous A1C test results, a measure of her average blood sugar levels over the previous 3 months. The number was edging up into the diabetic region. She was ready for some changes.
We broke her goals into smaller pieces so she wouldn’t be overwhelmed, starting with getting her kitchen organized with quality foods so she’d have healthy things that are easy to prepare,
It’s only been 5 months and here’s what has changed:
her blood sugar had been averaging 138-140; now it’s consistently 98-104 with no medication
she sleeps better and wakes up rested
she is cooking up a storm - soups, veggies, fish, poultry, even trying chick pea pasta
she has more energy
she has a workout room where she does chair yoga, rides a bike and exercises several days
her frequent leg cramps have stopped
her weight decreased from 205 to 195-196, not easy to do with diabetes
Everyone needs a plan
Carol never leaves a meeting without a plan. She leaves with fresh ideas for meals and other lifestyle recommendations that help to balance out a nutritional wellness plan. We discuss Covid related issues such as immune building foods that should be a part of the diet plan. In our most recent meeting we talked about the benefits of being outdoors, even in Winter, for a blast of fresh clean air. Carol touches base with me every couple of days, showing me some of her meals, or a new tool for the kitchen, or what exercise program she did that day. Our continuous communication can quickly put to rest any problems or obstacles that might interfere with her reaching her goals.
A Doctor Who Listens
When first diagnosed with Type 2, Carol was advised to take a diabetes medication. Since she was already feeling better, she decided to wait until December, measure her blood sugar daily, and talk with her doctor about her progress. She saw her doctor who agreed to her plan, and scheduled her for another A1C in January to track her progress.
What Happens When You’re Ready
Carol, like others, say when they are ready, they will do the work.
“I was feeling terrible Recently diagnosed with Diabetes Type 2. I am feeling so much better eating whole good foods, cooking more and have improved my health. ”
Sometimes you just have to feel bad enough to be ready to make changes. But wherever you start, committing to work like Carol has toward feeling better will pay off fairly quickly. I have every confidence that she will continue to feel better and will ward off the hazards that a condition like Type 2 Diabetes can present. With a 94 year old Mom, Carol likely has many years ahead of her, and her commitment to improving her health will make those years enjoyable and worthwhile.