I can’t find the proper place for introduction thread, so I’ll try here.
I’m so glad the email for the new community came today; on Monday I got the news that my A1C has me at 6.4, the very top of pre-diabetes. My father and his mother were both Type 2 diabetics.
I’m frustrated and sad because I eat (I think) fairly healthy. But that’s with rose colored glasses because I snack at night and probably my portions are too big (eat for the taste, not fullness).
I read Intuitive Eating a few years ago but haven’t “done the program” you might say.
I can very well understand your anxiety and frustration Sera. My A1c was 6.5 last year. Happily I had come across a web site called Blood Sugar 101 so I immediately read the book (same name) and got educated about what I could do. I also joined a online diabetes forum which provided me with good insights (food alternatives) and answers to my questions. Since last year I have seen my A1c drop to 6.3 then 5.9, next 5.5 and last reading was 5.4.
The bottom line is - don't get angry - get solutions! Yes it takes some changes (same as IE), but once you find what works for you, you can then focus on your life as you want it.
Hi Sera,
When I was first diagnosed with Type 2 over 10 years ago, my A1c was 9.something. I didn't even know what that meant but I quickly caught on it wasn't good for me. After embracing IE as a way to support ED recovery, which I was desperate to resolve, my A1c happened to come down to the 5's. I've been ED recovered for 5 years now, and have both been able to stabilize my weight from a lifetime of pretty intense yo-yo-ing, as well as maintain an A1c, currently at 5.2. Doctors are amazed and even endocrinologists can't grasp that I don't struggle/restrict/"diet" in some way. When I tell them I healed my relationship with food, they look at me blankly and with hesitant praise. Such are the tentacles of diet culture that a "normalized" eater engenders confusion.
Hi Sera,
When I was first diagnosed with Type 2 over 10 years ago, my A1c was 9.something. I didn't even know what that meant but I quickly caught on it wasn't good for me. After embracing IE as a way to support ED recovery, which I was desperate to resolve, my A1c happened to come down to the 5's. I've been ED recovered for 5 years now, and have both been able to stabilize my weight from a lifetime of pretty intense yo-yo-ing, as well as maintain an A1c, currently at 5.2. Doctors are amazed and even endocrinologists can't grasp that I don't struggle/restrict/"diet" in some way. When I tell them I healed my relationship with food, they look at me blankly and with hesitant praise. Such are the tentacles of diet culture that a "normalized" eater engenders confusion.
I concur JP - that medical professionals are just too 'numbers' driven instead of working with the body lived in. I have not been diagnosed as even 'pre-diabetic', but I do want to prevent slipping into that disease. I had my nurse practitioner Rx me a CGM (Continuous Glucose Monitor) so I could see how my body reacted to carbohydrate dense foods. It was helpful, but sadly the app program is geared towards assisting diabetics with insulin administration which I do NOT need. I found myself slipping into being 'captive' by the numbers - yikes! I think its not so cut-and-dry when it comes to what is 'high' or a 'spike'. I found discrepancies in what was claimed to be 'good/harmful' levels and how my body reacted and recovered quickly from spikes.
