It's been a while since I last posted.. since I first started my "diet" or way of eating.. I've now lost 21#.  Proud of myself.
I'm drinking more water..A++  and feeling like I'm moving right along.  
I'm using the 1200 cal ADA diet and Wendell is using 2000 cal ADA. 
The site CalorieCount has been super helpful in making sure I get all the nutrition I need every day.  Loving it!  Good ideas there and especially when it comes to the holidays.  That's normally a bad time for "dieters"..  I don't consider my eating habits as a diet, but a way of life for me.   One day I'll be able to set out on my own without all the helps.    In the mean time, it's nice to have the support of everyone and the online assist too.
I really don't count calories.. I use the ADA exchange system.  It's easier than counting each calorie.. and then put my food choices into the CalorieCount site.  It registers all the nutrients and calories I consume. 
I'm still baking bread and enjoy one slice of this every evening with supper.  It's an oatmeal bread with no sugar added.  Its sweetness comes from honey, and not much of that.  Delicious!   Wendell and I use 35cal bread for sandwiches at lunch. 
I am finding that my Oscar Meyer bologna (chicken/pork) is an extremely bad choice even though I eat only one slice at lunch.  The site grades choices, and that is an F.  No problem.. I have been running straight A's for the days I've been using the site.  This says I am making excellent nutritional choices every day.   It's nothing more than what I've always eaten.. just more controlled.
My last A1c was 6.3, well within normal limits!!

Happy mother's day to all.. I lost 16# when I got on the scales today.. WOOHOO!!!

Down 14#

Good news today... down 14# !!!  YAY!!  I love Special K which I think had something to do with it..

169

Setbacks are not fun.  Last night I had a true craving for chocolate that I just couldn't resist.  So I drank a bottle of Glucerna (for diabetics) and this morning had a major spike in my blood glucose. 
Now, I'm not certain that this spike was just  the Glucerna because I was ill all last evening and didn't sleep a wink.  Today I'm still feeling ill, and haven't eaten much to mention.  Nausea and some fever .. ugh.  I know illness can affect the glucose, so this may have been a contributing factor.  We shall see tomorrow.

89

It is nearly time to leave for church and I'm still not sure I'm going to be able to go... more GI upset..  ugh.
Blood sugar is 89 today.. probably the near fast I had yesterday.

Rough day here- 114

We planned a trip with Paul and family today.. bummer- had some post gall bladder problems and just couldn't leave the house.  Well, we can try that trip again or do something different on another day.
My hope and prayer is that this "problem" won't persist into tomorrow which is the Lord's day. 
I've accomplished exactly "0" today.. no big surprise.
My blood sugar this morning was 114 for some unknown reason, and now today I've had 2 cups of coffee, a bowl of cereal, a couple of pretzel rods, and a serving of jello for the day.. it makes me feel nauseated for some reason.   hmmmmm   wonder what is going on?
Hurting too.. joint pain that I associate with arthritic joints.. so I don't know.

114

Feeling crappy today.. belly ache for some strange reason.  Ugh.  Glucose is high at 114 and I don't know why.. hmmmmm

111

Still running a bit high on the blood sugar.  I think I blew it good today for sure.. ugh.  Breakfast at noon after hubby's appointment.. wayyyyyyy too much bread here.   Then lunch was tomato soup at 4pm.. then off to Bible study.. home at 8:30pm and supper.. ugh.  I'm tired and weary and hubby wants fruit salad for a snack tonite.. maybe tomorrow..

110

Not sure why the glucose is up today.. but have a sneaky suspicion it has everything to do with potatoes and fruit.. I'll be much more careful today.
Just because something is a healthful food doesn't mean you can eat more than a serving.. PORTION CONTROL

100

It was a good day here.. glucose was 100- closer to normal.  I was careful what I ate today.  Breakfast was the usual.. egg, bread, fruit.  We ate out today for lunch though, and I was determined not to undermine my diet again.  Wendell had a hearty breakfast and I had cottage cheese and fruit with crackers.  It was delicious- but way too much cottage cheese so I brought half of it home and had it for supper tonite with a half tomato and a dish of strawberries and a handful of grapes.  Let us hope the blood sugar is normal in the morning.

109

Done in by a bowl of fruit... or perhaps the larger than normal potato last evening at supper... or both.  Rats!  109 today.  I shall endeavor to watch everything in MODERATE portions today.

A week's worth of glucose

I have been working on a photo project and not online often this past week.. but here are my totals..
March 20- 101
March 22- 100
March 24- 105
March 26- 110
Weight loss- now 13#
Amen.
I have to keep a diary closer to see why I'm having mini spikes in blood sugar.
On Wednesday, Wendell and I went out to eat at Ponderosa.  I ate things I shouldn't have .. and fried wings?  I paid for it all the rest of the evening and into the next day.  We had Dreamfields Macaroni in a salad on Thursday - and no real spikes in glucose were noted, so Friday for lunch, I served it yet again.. and today I see this small but significant spike yet again.  Not sure if it's the pasta or just the snack stuff I had- a serving of dry cereal, and an orange in the early afternoon.  As I said, I need to keep a better diary.

93

I guess I can eat a serving of angel food cake and fresh fruit.  93 is good.  Have had a minor GI disturbance today.. lots of cramping.  Not sure why.
Fish tonite I couldn't finish, nor my carrots.  Had 1/2 fish and a salad and a few bites of baked potato.
Hmmmmm

95 and today 100

Laziness made me have breakfast for supper last evening.  I made us eggs and pancakes.. and though I don't believe I overate, it was a lot more than I wanted.
Yesterday's blood sugar was 95.   After last night's bready meal, I thought it best to check today and sure enough, 100 on the nose. 

Today I want to go to the store to get some meat- chicken mainly, but others as well. 

down 12#

I felt like I overate yesterday.. I had this leftover chicken- about a half cup- and couldn't bear to throw it out.. so I ate it.. this, after eating a healthy portion at supper.. Then.. on top of that was snack time and I ate my whole snack- 3 strawberries, 2 strips of fresh pineapple, and a carton of yogurt.. Yes, it was too much.
I've been 0.2# short of calling an 11# weight loss.  I was holding out for today, but wasn't sure my overeating would even reflect it.  Imagine my shock and surprise when I stepped on the scales this morning after breakfast and saw that I not only lost the 0.2#, but a whole other pound with it!!!!   Astonished, I ran out to tell Wendell and  collect an "Atta Girl!!!" from him .. I love that.
I should have known there was a loss here greater than 2/10s of a pound- my pants feel looser and I just don't feel like I'm carrying the full load around any more.  It's coming off my belly and I'm so happy I could crow!!!
YIPPEE!   On to tomorrow and another pound to lose.. one at a time, one day at a time, and control those portions..  no more pigging out even if the meat needs tossed.  (That chicken was like eating butter, but no fat added.. very lean and perfectly baked.)
On to tomorrow... and a controlled blood sugar.
Can't wait to see the doctor in a couple months..If this keeps up, I should be down substantially both in weight and glucose.  YAY!

98

98 is better than 100 or more.  I'll take it.  Was hoping I could announce a weight loss too , but it seems that I still have 0.2# to go to do that .. so I'll wait.  :)

92

Blood sugar is well within normal limits at 92 this morning.  That tells me that the fruit salad we had last night with the dollop (about a heaping tablespoon) of SF Cool Whip is a safe choice for us as a side or snack.  YAY!  I love fresh fruits- this one had 1/2 small banana, 1/2 sliced navel orange, 2 strawberries (note to self- GET MORE!) , and some canned peach slices on top.. very very tasty.

I had chicken (left over) for lunch and supper yesterday.  Supper had a small baked potato, and 1/2 c canned Le Seuer peas (the best), and our usual mini salad.  I noticed last night that hubby didn't augment his plate, and other than the liberal amount of butter he put on his food, I couldn't complain.  Gotta work on that 'serving size of butter'.  He has accepted the dressing on his salad without complaint.

My weight is still at 10#, but I'm watching the decimals go down daily, so pretty soon I'll be able to claim 11.  Smiling here.

102

Bummer!  I just hate when my blood sugar goes over 100.  Well, I'm pretty borderline.  Not sure what caused the rise overnight.  I started the metformin tonite again.  I'm eating better and the queasieness is minimal. 
Snack tonite was angelfood cake, fresh sliced strawberries and navel orange.  I added a Tbsp of SF cool whip too.  Sure is good.

98

I've been without metformin for over a week now.  Since surgery on the 4th of March, I've not been able to continue it due to nausea.
Hopefully, today will be the day.  I'm not too concerned- I registered a whopping 98 this morning- within normal limits.

It's about 6pm.. I've done well today with my diet.  I'm also down 10# total..for which I am grateful and thankful, but it's a drop in the bucket compared to what I have to go.  One step at a time, one day at a time.

Down 7 # total

I have been very ill for several days now.  It seems to increase every evening, leading me to believe it's the metformin that is causing it.  Severe upper right quadrant pain, sustained nausea, and horrific diarrhea.  I have pain in my muscles and joints that is worse than I've ever had, and my regular pain med for my back doesn't even begin to touch it.
It is not a constant illness as I had a brief reprieve last evening, followed by a major resurge of the pain all night.
Today I called the doctor, and as I suspected, it was the medication that was causing the whole mess.  I'm not taking any meds today, but will start Metformin ER tomorrow.  That's extended release and shouldn't hit me as hard as the regular.   I don't take a large dose as it is.  1000mg morning and evening is the normal doseage.  I'm taking 500mg every evening.. so it's not the doseage. 
I've never been able to tolerate meds easily and have to really be careful.. glad I didn't get a 3 month supply :)

97

Woohoo!!  Staying in the normal zone!  Today's blood sugar is 97.  Noting I had lightly breaded baked fish last night with potatoes lightly fried in olive oil, and carrots/peas.  Yummy!  I was a bit concerned that the potatoes would cause the rise as pasta does, but I needn't be concerned obviously.
Eating in moderation.  Will weigh in today later.
Have not been feeling well for 3 days.  Upper GI upset and muscle/joint pain that medication doesn't hit.  Assumption is I'm not drinking enough to filter out the medication for T2Diabetes.
Will try this and if it fails, will call PCP.

92

Yippee!!!!  Another great blood sugar reading this morning.  92 and normal.  YAY!!!!  I must be doing something right.  It's a good feeling to know I can eat normally and reduce my glucose.  Now if I can get Wendell's down .. he's tough.

99 !

Wow.. can't beat that much.  99 today.  Feeling good.  Noting all the things that gave me the 99.. like the bowl of cereal for supper?  Hmmmmmmm

Wendell down 8#

Wendell saw the doctor yesterday before the storm got started.  It was his usual check up for weight.  He's down 8# !!!  Proud of you my dear.. Atta boy!!!!  Go Go Go Go Go...

107

I tried something different last night as far as carbs went.. I had 3 small dinner rolls with my vegetables and chicken for supper. 
I added Activia with a dollop of Cool Whip (sugar free, natch).
Today the glucose is coming down, but not far enough.  UGH.

112 :(

Wish 112 was my weight rather than my blood sugar today. 
I can see pasta going away in my life.  I'm certain it was the macaroni in the chicken salad last night, though I didn't overeat, my portions were just right, but the macaroni seems to be a bit too much for my body to handle.. add that to my list of banned foods.
Turkey, beef, and milk... now pasta.  sigh.....
After that I got on the scales.. Thankfully, I still hold my 5# loss quite easily.  AMEN.
Thought for myself:  Don't get hung up on one bad blood sugar.  Learn from it, Keep track of your diet, and know what causes the spikes. 

Breakfast:
2 scrambled eggs - PAM for lube
1 slice whole wheat toast with a tsp butter (real butter, uh huh.)
1/2c sliced peaches
2 small dry cooked strips bacon.
------------------
Lunch grilled cheese,
handful of grapes,
mouthful of canned tomatoes
----------------------
supper is grilled chicken breast- 3oz
broccoli
home made dinner roll
thinking about rice/veggies... would love to see how I react to rice.

down 5#

Well.. I didn't check my glucose this morning, but I didn't need to since I didn't have any cake last night.  Good for me.  When I stepped on the scales, I was pleasantly surprised to see another pound bit the dust.  That's 5 total since I got my metformin started.  Not bad.   I hope it continues.
Today was cereal for breakfast with Coffeemate Coffee Creamer liquid in lieu of milk which my body doesn't tolerate.
Lunch was a grilled cheese with provolone and american cheeses, and chicken noodle and vegetables soup.  Yummy.
I had a sugar free pudding this afternoon.
Tonite was macaroni with chicken and veggies on top.  Very good. 
My bedtime snack is raspberry yogurt with a dollop of SF Cool Whip.  Very filling.
It is peculiar to me that I can eat cheese and yogurt without any side effects, but one swallow of milk and my stomach goes wild.  Ice cream ...?  Well, I can eat a small dish of ice cream, but if I have another one within a few days, it's the same crazy abdominal symptoms.. weird.

103

I should have seen that coming.   We were out all day yesterday and twice had potatoes.  I believe the glycemic load was a bit heavy.  I had bread twice too.. something I never do.
We shall see how it goes on Sabbath when I recheck after little Paul's party..

102

As you can see, my blood sugar is coming down nicely.  I'm feeling a bit different.. tired without ultra tired evenings.  I am refreshed today and ready for the day.

no fasting glucose today

I decided to take a break from jagging my fingers.  Don't panic.. I was told to check my glucose a couple times a week or up to every other day.  So I am still following the doctor's direction.
My diet is improving.  I'm so proud of myself.  The cravings have really settled.
This morning we had 2 scrambled eggs, a small strip of bacon, and 2 small pancakes with Sugar free syrup.  It held me till lunch when I made us each a small bowl of cream of mushroom soup.  I don't use milk in it, just hot water and extra mushrooms of course.  With that we each had a grilled cheese sandwich- one slice of american cheese and one slice of provolone.. Oh.. delicious!
Not sure about tonite.. but I will be having fresh steamed broccoli with whatever the choice is. 
Here's something I found on the internet for combatting abdominal bloating;
Which foods are the best at reducing visible bloat in the belly?


"Definitely reduce fried, saturated fats and increase fat-burning foods like green cruciferous vegetables. In terms of what you should be eating, consume three to four servings of vegetables a day, increase lean protein intake with free-range meats, incorporate high-fiber foods like apples or berries, and make sure you eat the right kinds of fats like avocados and nuts."

I love fresh sweet onions and broccoli.. as well as brussels sprouts..
I shouldn't have a problem with this.  When I scramble the eggs, I use PAM, and if I have to use oil, it's always Olive oil.  I could drink olive oil, but I think I'd be sick if I tried it. 
Time for a cup of coffee..
------------------------------
As things ended up, we had tuna salad again with macaroni.  I was careful to take only a cup of the macaroni, but loaded my bowl with fresh celery and onion, tuna fish, and then a dollop of Mayo for it all.  Yummy and very satisfying.  No snack needed tonite.

107

Wow.. still hanging up there above 100, but going down slowly but surely.  My diet is going well and I find I have NO cravings any more.  That's a good sign.
I thought about a Hershey chocolate bar yesterday, but had no desire to eat one.  Now, that should go down in the annals of time!
Preparing for breakfast..

111

I was really hoping my blood sugar would come down a bit faster.  It's discouraging sometimes to get up and find readings that are above 100.  :(  
But today is the Sabbath and I'm going to worship the King today with a number of other like minded folk.  That makes my day.
BS 111.. weight later.
Off to get some breakfast.

116

Doesn't seem to matter what I eat, my glucose is high in the morning.  Today it's 116.  Sigh...
I will not relent.  I will stay with the diet and exercise too.  Yesterday I had a nice ride on the Schwinn.  I may repeat that today after looking outside- snow.
-------------------
Breakfast was same as always, lunch was not much different- cream of mushroom soup with extra mushrooms , and the rest of teh left over sliced chicken.  
Tonite will be a tuna salad with nuts, apple, tuna (of course ;) ), and celery chopped together with a dab of mayo.. yummy!
snack: cheerios

Glycemic index or glycemic load..

Some good information:

Glycemic Load is the application of the glycemic index to a standard serving of food.
Glycemic index tests are not performed on typical portion sizes. So, by using the Glycemic Index alone, the glycemic effects of foods containing a small percentage of carbs are likely to be overstated, while the glycemic effects of foods containing a high percentage of carbs are likely to be understated. For example, foods that are mostly water or air will not cause a surge in your blood sugar levels even if their glycemic index is high.

This is why scientists developed the idea of Glycemic Load. It ranks foods according to actual carb content (eg. in a typical portion-size), not how fast a 50g amount of carbs raises blood sugar levels.

118

Down 4#, Glucose up to 118
I started the Metformin last evening.  I need to drink more water.
************
Breakfast was the same as usual..
2 scrambled eggs, 2 small dry crisp pieces of bacon, 1 slice toast with a tsp butter.   Of course, 1 1/2 c coffee to go with it all. 
Planning a ride on the Schwinn.  Gotta get that FBS down.
************
Good lunch- same as yesterday,but cream of mushroom soup- 90 calories. 
************
Wish I had some decaf coffee... perhaps I'll get a cup of hot tea.
supper was very good.  Leftover chicken in slices.. I still have another meal I can make with it. :)  Broccoli and fruit salad on cottage cheese, and sliced fresh tomato.  Yum.  It sure was good.
Snack today was cheerios- multigrain. 
I'm very tired tonite.  Heading for bed.

Fasting blood sugar 106

I would guess that this is what my daily morning blood sugar runs~ 106 today. 
Breakfast was the usual-
2 scrambled eggs, 1 slice toast with a dab of butter, 2 small pieces of dry, crisp bacon, and a half of a 6" banana, and 1 1/2c coffee with creamer.
~~~~~~~~~~~
Lunch~ 2 slices bread, 2 thin slices deli ham with 2 tsp mayo, and a bowl of vegetable soup.
~~~~~~~~~~
Supper tonite will be baked chicken, left over broccoli and canned carrots doctored with Splenda and a dab of butter.
I have fresh frozen red raspberries and some SF Cool Whip for dessert.  I will likely add a container of Activia to this also.  I try to do that daily.
I'm on an antibiotic and need the yogurt.
Tonite is my big night.  I will take my first dose of metformin.  It doesn't work like insulin, but makes it easier for insulin to get through to cells reducing the sugar in the blood.  I'm anxious to get started.  I desire that this will work.  I am insulin resistant.

TOTAL ACCEPTANCE

It's odd to me that I have this total acceptance and calm about being a new diabetic.  Wonder why that is?  I believe it is God's grace showering me with peace. 
I have certain goals today:
1. Blood sugar fasting = 109
2. Weigh in= same as dr office yesterday- too high to print.
3. Exercise in some fashion
4. Eat well=
Breakfast 2 eggs, 1 toast with 1 tsp butter, 2 slices crispy bacon, and 1/2c fruit- peaches today
Coffee!  Yes, 1 1/2c as usual.
This is a normal breakfast for me- nothing out of the usual .  It's hearty and healthy.  I am using 35cal bread for my toast, and the bacon is cooked twice to get all the fat out that I can possibly do- it is so crisp, it falls apart.
5. Drink water
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
It's after lunch now.  I had a ham sandwich, a dill pickle, and water.
After consulting with Wendy, I decided to buy a loaf of Sara Lee whole wheat bread that is free of high fructose corn syrup.  I was surprised how good it was.  So 2 slices of bread with 2 tsp mayo and 2 slices of deli ham.  I sliced up a garlic dill pickle and poured a glass of water which I'm still sipping.
I think I need a fruit here.  I'll see if I have any mandarin oranges left, and if not, I'll try a half banana.
One day at a time.
I started my antibiotic horse pills today, and got my box of lancets and test strips.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Supper was very good and low calorie.  I chopped up 2 tiny pieces of chicken and braised it in a little bit of olive oil.. then I added chopped onion, carrots, colorful peppers, broccoli, and mushrooms.  Oh yum!  I skipped the rice tonite~ I spooned the veggies and chicken over a dollop of cottage cheese for a much different taste.  So good.  For a dessert, I added a dollop of SF Cool Whip to my nightly Activia and then tossed in a half cup of frozen red raspberries, strawberries, and blueberries.  So very delicious!
I feel stuffed.
I'm working on Glycemic Index- 0-55 is low, 56-70 is medium, and over 70 is high.  I'm going to try to concentrate on the low GI veggies and fruits, as these don't raise the blood sugar like the medium and high GI does.  You don't get the high spikes of blood sugar when you use the low GI veggies and fruits.  I'm learning .. day by day I am learning all over how to eat and keep my blood sugars under control.
Glad you stopped by.  I'll be back with more reports on various topics and, of course, give an update on my journey into diabetes.

Diabetes, the diagnosis

Today truly is the first day of the rest of my life.  I saw the PCP today.  Good news.. most of my labs were perfect.. except for the one that I was afraid might be out of kilter.. that of the A1c which is slightly elevated and says I'm heading for Type 2 diabetes.. and then he saw my fasting glucose.. a whopping 128 !!!!! This should be under 100 to be high normal.  With those 2 factors together, he announced to  me that I am no longer Pre diabetic, I am full blown type 2 diabetic.  I'm not upset or unraveled..  In fact, it's a relief to be diagnosed so I can get the medication that will help me along.  I don't metabolize carbohydrates well, if at all.  I've suspected that for a while now.  In fact, I crave carbs so much, I could be manic about them.. but I'm never sated after eating them.  Dr Harry says it's because though I'm eating them, my body is not metabolizing them, and just turns all that food into fat and applies it liberally to my body and asks for more. 
So, when the pharmacy sends my meds, I'll be starting Metformin, an oral medication for diabetes.  Metformin is used in Europe as a weight loss drug, but in the US, we use it only for diabetes.  I should lose weight on this and get the glucose under control.  It's not totally outlandish now, but it could become so without treatment.
I now have my own glucometer.  I ate supper tonite and when I got home, tried it out.  My glucose was 128 after a meal.  That's not bad.  We shall see in the morning.  I plan to do several checks before my meds arrive.  The office was to fax it to the pharmacy so I could have a 3 month supply.
Pray this works.  He also told me that my muscle aches and pains should diminish or disappear with this, as that can easily be caused by the diabetes..
*My plan is to do something with exercise officially every day whether it's walking from one end of our trailer to the other, or a good walk around the perimeter.. maybe a dip in the pool at the Y.. we are long overdue there.
* Plan to eat better quality foods and watch those calories.. especially the carbs.
Here we go Marilyn, here we go!!