Type 2 Diabetes and the South Beach P1
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| Mon, 02-18-2008 - 10:23am |
Hello, my name is Jason and about 2 weeks ago I received a call and was informed that I had type 2 Diabetes. Of course this was a shock to me and I was in Denial. Maybe I still am! Since that call, I am educating myself as much as possible. Imagine how much fun it is to stick yourself for a blood glucose sample 4 times a day. Not only that, but I have put myself at higher risk for Stroke, Heart Attack, Kidney failure, Blindness, Cataracts,not to mention infections can lead to amputation. There can be other complications as well, so eating healthy is more important than ever. Not only that, but more and more 40 and 50 year olds are dropping dead.
I had been on the South Beach before and had great success before I fell off the wagon. When I first decided to start the South Beach I had two reasons. The first was to motivate my girlfriend Miranda of 12 years because she has PCOS and many of the medications she was on caused her to gain weight she could not seem to lose. This made Miranda very unhappy because when we first met she was around 110-115 lbs and had just finished a long 2 years of working down to that weight from 178lbs. Imagine how unhealthy that weight was for her both mentally and physically. By the way Miranda is only 5 feet tall. The second reason I decided to start the South Beach is because of my weight. At the time I met Miranda I was around 180 and going through the last of my 4 back surgeries. I am fused at the neck as well as the lower spine. My limited mobility since the surgeries certainly contributed to my weight gain, but I was also told several times, my triglycerides were extremely high! Of course, I was younger then and did not take it seriously. So in reality, even though I had weighed less previously, my poor eating lifestyle contributed to my weight gain.
One of the reasons I am writing this post is to encourage others to continue to follow the South Beach lifestyle eating plan even after you lose any extra weight. If you are borderline for Type 2 Diabetes, it might help you avoid a similar situation to mine. While I might have been diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes anyway, the first time I was on the South Beach I lost 21 lbs in 3 to 4 months(sorry cannot remember exactly), and all my blood work dropped with in normal limits. It shocked my Doctor so much he asked me what I was doing. Previous to the South Beach my Triglycerides were so high they could not read them on my blood tests. I strongly feel that if I had continued to follow the South Beach, that I might have delayed my Type 2 Diabetes Diagnosis or prevented it all together. By the way I am 50 years old, almost 51. My age and weight, along with high triglycerides and and low LDL of 26 make me a prime candidate for a heart attack.
Another reason I am writing this post is because of the ignorance I have found that exists within the medical field in regard to the South Beach Diet, not to mention misconceptions in regard to Diabetes. I recently met with a Diabetic Nurse to go over my medical history and plan a proper diet to help control my diabetes. There was also a Student Nutritionist that attended. During our meeting I mentioned at one time I had been on the South Beach Diet and had good success. After I mentioned this, I received a negative response from both the Diabetic Nurse and Nutritionist that the South Beach Diet was Too Restrictive! When I asked how, I was answered with, well there are certain foods that are Taboo, and on the plan we want you to follow, you can eat anything you want as long as you stay in our guide lines. One of their guidelines is 15 carbs or less per day. Of course portion control is another. I personally do not see how that is different from the South Beach, with Phase One being the only exception. From what I understand is that after you finally reach your goal weight, you move to phase 3 for life, which is more or less an unrestricted lifestyle eating plan, tempered with moderation, and better food choices made by the end user. It appears to me that both the Diabetic Nurse and Nutrition Student were totally unfamiliar with the South Beach and had not read the book. I think this is the case for many in the medical industry as well as the lay person. I found before I ever attempted the South Beach, I was eating along similar lines except for my portion control, breads, and soda's.
Since its been a year since I have been on the South Beach, I felt it was safe to make the decision to go back and start with Phase One. I feel very confident that I will achieve good results once again. I am also going to attempt to step up my exercise this time to help accelerate the results. Miranda who is also on this board has told me that another very informed and educated person suggested I proceed with caution because of the Type 2 Diabetes. I certainly will pay attention to her informative suggestions. I do understand, that for many with Diabetes, sometimes its better for them to start in Phase 2.
I would like to thank Dr. Arthur Agatston for all his research and hard work he put into constructing the South Beach Diet program. I would also like to thank Miranda insight and knowledge in regard to this diet. I would ask that anyone who is interested in the South Beach make sure they read the book, and do not allow others who are uninformed or ignorant, to influence your feelings or decision in regard to it.
Sorry about my long winded post,
Jason

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Hi Jason,
I'm sorry to hear about your diagnosis but glad you have decided to do something about it by following this way of eating!
I do want to say that if your doctor has you on medications for your diabetes, you need to be extra careful.
Hi Jason,
I'm sorry about your diagnosis.
Thanks for your advice Dr. Deb!
I am on 500MG of Metformin and just started taking that twice a day. I do have a call into my Doctor. Based on what I have seen from the medical treatment perscribed for me so far, I think the intention is to control my Diabetes with Diet and/or medication.
Jason
Hi Jason, and welcome!
I posted this link in another post, but it is very relevent to your situation. There is a ton of info here regarding diabetes, as well as the way food affects your body, etc.
http://www.mendosa.com/index.html
Take care of yourself!
Michelle
Southbeach since July, 2007
Hello Maggie Kelly. Miranda also says hi. I will finally get to speak with my Doctor tomorrow. Miranda and I have discussed whether I should be on Phase 1 or 2. We both agree since I monitor my glucose 4 times daily without fail, we believe we will be aware if I become Hypoglycemic. We also understand that my medication might have to be adjusted. Since the Doc will be involved in my decision by tomorrow, I think I am probably safe for the next day. Tonight I will be completing my second day of Phase 1, and my glucose numbers are finally starting to fall in the good range.
Jason
Edited 2/19/2008 8:02 am ET by fatboyinil
After discussing this with my Doctor's office today, it was agreed, that as long as I pay very close attention to my daily glucose testing numbers, that it was OK for me to be on Phase One. For anyone that reads this, keep in mind that this decision only pertains to my situation, and any decision you make for yourself, should be made with the approval of your on doctor.
Jason
>>Good luck, Jason.
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