My right eating lifestyle is dictated by my meter. I'm committed for the long hall. My compelling reason to do what's necessary to control my diabetes journey without medications is both my parents.

They both passed within
10 years of being diagnosed diabetic from diabetic complications and comorbidities. Neither achieved control of their diabetes journeys. I took my Mom to dialysis for 3 years before she passed 30 years ago. My Dad passed 28 years ago Christmas.

I will not put my family through that hell. So I supercontrol my diabetes journey. All my siblings were diagnosed diabetic 10-20 years ago. So I was the last to be diagnosed, February 2021. I am the oldest of 8.

So my plan is to use medications when I cannot safely control my numbers. At present, I would opt for insulin when needed, but that might change. I hope to go 10-15 years without medications, since traveling the next 10-15 years is less emcumbered with fewer medications.

That is my diabetes plan. I will continue to try to help others.

Retired 6 weeks ago, I am 69 with multiple diagnoses and other than, diabetes, chronic Lyme's, Growing cancer, Parkinson's, partial paralysis, diabetic neuropathy, broken ribs, asthma, glaucoma, covid for the last 3 days with severe symptoms, and a continuing list. I am doing well.

Looking at my big picture, These are just minor inconveniences and irritations. I am living my life on my terms. We will have many adventures as we travel the world.

We have been on 5 vacations / holidays in the last 6 weeks.

I will never give up, never surrender, never ever.
You got this.
Have a wonderful day.

Thanks Graham - I do have a plan and it works pretty well seemingly except I get other things thrown at me which tends to blow my blood readings out of the park. My current plan is kick the cancer stuff and then concentrate, with whatever I have left, on the type 2 diabetes. I find diet and light exercise work best for me. Take good care

I got diagnosed just 6 days before my 62nd birthday. Not the present I was hoping for that’s for sure. For me, my first goal was to get my A1C under 6 from 7.1 I am at 6 currently so hoping to get it lower this next time around. My second goal was to lose 30 lbs which I surpassed, then I made the choice to follow a pretty restricted diet. I gave up sugar, potatoes, pasta, rice, and chose to not eat processed and fried foods or chips, etc. It hasn’t always been easy but I want to stay med free for as long as I can. I lost 40 lbs, and finally started exercising and for the most part am in better shape now than when I was in my 20’s. I have searched for foods to replace some of my favorites. I don’t bake as much as I used to but that’s okay. I have introduced some foods back into my diet that I cut out in the beginning like oatmeal, sweet potatoes and cherries. I’ve found portion control is key for me. I have found that as time goes on I am less tempted to eat the foods I know are bad for me. I am also fortunate that I happen to love vegetables. I enjoy finding new and creative ways to cook them. I also found out my husband actually prefers cauliflower rice in recipes over regular rice so it’s a win win!
A benefit of my diet is that my husband has also reduced his numbers for cholesterol. It’s really looking at it from the perspective of a lifestyle versus a diet.

@A DiabetesTeam Member if you can keep your A1C under 6 you are doing just fine.

The European version of the ADA (EASD over there) tracks pre-diabetes because they treat it "just like diabetes" and they have seen pre-diabetics stay at sub 6 levels for more than 20 years simply by intervening early (the way you have).

Over here we don't really screen well enough for it until the Doc gets some hint that maybe it's time to do an A1C test. There is no reason that it shouldn't be done as part of an annual or bi-annual check-up.

The guidance in Canada is "check at age 50" and then again at 60 unless indicated otherwise which is probably why our incidence is so high compared to many European countries (save the UK which is very much genetically driven).

You can't find something if you are not looking for it...

Mentioned Users

A Diabete...

Yes my plan is intermittent fasting low carb healthy living and live by my meter I take lots of notes after lots of finger pricks and have slowly developed a new life style plenty good options. I am getting better loosing weight and reducing meds. This is called phase 1. when I reach my target of no meds management and weight level I will seek phase 2 long term management.