First off, let me just say, if you’re feeling overwhelmed and shouting out on the inside “someone, please help me,” that’s okay. You have a right to feel that way.
Type 2 diabetes is VERY overwhelming and can be really frustrating as well.
When it feels like your life revolves around poking your fingers, taking your meter and supplies with you, more frequent doctor visits, watching your diet, checking your weight… I’d be hesitant to believe anyone who felt managing their condition was easy-peasy.
We know that depression in those with type 2 diabetes occurs at double the rate of non-diabetic people. Anxiety is often high as well, simply because of the increased worries over the many health care components you have to manage.
Sometimes taking care of yourself can feel like an endless chasing-after-the-wind and you may wonder if it’s even worth it.
You may feel like it’s all too much and you should just give up — eat what you want, do what you want, stick your head in the sand and deny it — maybe then it will go away.
Look, we’re here to hold your hand and assure you, you’re not alone. These feelings are normal.
But if you’re feeling overwhelmed don’t give up or stick your head in the sand — your very life could depend on it…
Coping and Emotions
Remember that healthy coping is a huge component to managing your diabetes. If knowledge was all you needed, you wouldn’t be struggling so hard to make healthy lifestyle choices.
Everyone knows that emotions play a big role in our choices as well. Regarding your condition, you may go through anger, denial, depression, acceptance, apathy, proactivity and many more emotions and feelings throughout the course of your life.
What is most important is that you learn to cope with the difficult emotions and transition toward the empowering ones. Getting stuck can leave you in a really rough spot, leading you to take actions you’ll likely regret later on — like doing nothing, which can dramatically worsen your condition.
Have you ever heard the expression: “Ignorance is Bliss?”
It’s true that in the short-term, not thinking about difficult things is more pleasant than dealing with them. But unfortunately, that doesn’t make them go away.
Instead they simply fester into something entirely worse.
I don’t like taxes or obeying the speed limit laws, but that doesn’t make them any less a reality. If I refuse to pay or drive appropriately, I could find myself in jail, which is far worse than paying what I ought or driving slower than I’d like.
While everyone has their own motivations for wanting to be healthier, digging deep to find motivation can be difficult in times of distress. We understand this.
But seriously, the worse thing you can do is stick your head in the sand and claim ignorance and bliss. It will not end well.
Complications are No Joke.
I really don’t like using scare tactics or negative ways to enforce motivation. But it is appropriate to mention complications because they can be powerful motivators.
The reality is, the worse your blood glucose control is, the higher the risk for complications — serious complications you really want to avoid.
We’re talking:
- eye problems (glaucoma, cataracts, and even blindness)
- kidney problems (chronic kidney disease which can eventually lead to kidney failure and a need for dialysis)
- heart disease
- neuropathy (pain or numbness in the extremities and internal organs)
- sexual dysfunction
- depression
- dental problems
- infections and many more
Because blood vessels feed every body system, having elevated glucose levels for any length of time can negatively impact all of these, which results in complications.
The complications of diabetes are much worse than the challenges needed to keep it under control.
Don’t stick you head in the sand, dig deep and find the motivation.
You’re Not the Only One.
While it doesn’t make your struggles any easier to manage, sometimes it brings comfort knowing that you aren’t alone in your struggle — there are thousands of people in the same situation as you.
Some people have it much worse, others much better. Some people struggle with willpower when it comes to food, others struggle when it comes to work or family commitments.
Some people don’t struggle with willpower, but can’t get organized enough to do meal planning or remember to take their blood sugar.
Others have financial constraints that heighten the level of challenges.
Others want to change, but incur resistance from friends or family members. People who don’t have type 2 diabetes struggle with other issues. Trust me–they do!
Yes, it can often feel like you got the short straw when you compare yourself to others, but I hope this community here at Diabetes Meal Plans has showed you that there are MANY people just like you who are wrestling through.
You can read about the success they have achieved by getting motivated and making some changes.
You will also find people you can look to who have successfully managed their diabetes for decades, paving the way for the next generation. It IS possible
Managing diabetes is challenging but highly possible.
Focus on the Things That Matter
There is SOMETHING that is most important in your life. So, don’t let diabetes steal that away from you.
What matters to you?
Is it your family? Your friendships? Your contribution at work? Your spirituality? What makes you light up and give you life? Who is it that ignites your soul?
Whether you want to be around to see your grandchildren grow up, be there for your spouse, honor God with your body, work to further your business or company, provide for your family, take vacations with loved ones–there are countless motivations for living.
Food and blood sugar is not the point–it’s not the most important thing in your life. Sure, it feels like it is. BUT if you don’t take care for yourself (which necessitates watching your diet and health), your condition will rob you of what IS most important to you.
Don’t let diabetes defeat or define you.
You CAN Do Something About It
The prior point would be super-depressing if it weren’t for the simple fact that you do have much control over the extent to which diabetes steals your true joy.
By making small simple changes to your lifestyle, you can improve your ability to manage your condition.
Eating a healthy diet, watching your carbs, exercising regularly, monitoring your blood sugar, managing your emotions, taking medications when necessary, getting sufficient sleep, and surrounding yourself with resources and support can all help to reduce your HbA1c and prevent unwanted complications.
Get Help
If you struggle with anxiety or depression, please seek help. Depression is more than just feeling a bit sad and it’s not your fault and often not necessarily something you can control. But don’t let it go. Please do seek help.
It is very important that you discuss your concerns with an individual in-person. While we hope to provide an excellent online community here at Diabetes Meal Plans, along with valuable resources to help you manage your condition, it’s not quite the same as meeting face-to-face with a practitioner you trust and who knows your whole story.
Be sure to find a physician you feel comfortable with. Note this does not necessarily mean you agree on everything or are best friends, but find someone you feel can be a support and advocate for your care and is a good listener. There are plenty of physicians out there, so if you’re not happy, find another one.
There are also diabetes educator’s or nutrition professional’s who can help. It may be helpful to have a therapist as well to discuss coping strategies when things get difficult.
And of course, here at Diabetes Meal Plans, we are dedicated to being a resource as part of that team — helping to support you the whole way!
Focus on What Your Can Have and Do
Like I said at the beginning, type 2 diabetes is VERY overwhelming and can be really frustrating as well.
It’s made even more difficult when you think about foods you can’t have or things you can’t do. So the best solution to that is focus on what you can eat and do.
While you may not be able to eat potatoes, you can still eat Cauliflower Mashed “Potatoes” or Cauliflower “Potato” Salad — there are literally TONS of alternatives to all your food favorites — low carb options that will keep your blood sugar in check. You just have to learn what they are.
And if you’re struggling, our meal plans can help you do that — just read the success our members are achieving.
Set yourself a challenge to take small steps and slowly find those food replacements so you can improve your diet.
Add in a little extra exercise. Focus on getting better sleep and turning down the stress levels. If you’re confused about where to start, read our top 10 essentials.
The point is, there are always small steps you can take to make improvements.
Sure, your body might not be optimal now, but everything you do will improve your health.
All you have to do is take one small step forward each day and you’ll be surprised that it all adds up and has a cumulative, positive effect.
Just remember, you’re not alone. We’re here to support you. :)
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Hi
I was diagnosed with type two diabetes about two and a half years ago. I have refused medication and have managed to at my last blood test to get my blood sugar down to below pre diabetes level. However the surgery only want to do yearly blood sugar checks. I have managed to persuade them to do twice yearly blood sugar checks and have asked if I I can do daily checks myself. They say that daily checks are only for type one diabetics on insulin. I find it really difficult to know if I am staying on track with my blood sugars only being done twice yearly. Any advice?
Jane
Many type 2 diabetics test daily to keep on track Jane. But if your doctor won’t approve it the cost of doing so may fall back on you. If you’re worried, you might even do it once a week to put your mind at ease and know that you’re on track.
I think I might be in the minority here being a Type 1 Diabetic, but I think a lot of the same principles apply. I don’t really struggle with will power, (my mom calls me her “Navy SEAL” which makes me feel like I’m doing something right.) My biggest obstacle was finding ways to include myself in celebrations that revolve around food (birthdays, holidays, weddings etc.) The good news my friends, is that it’s totally possible to have something to feel included, you just need to put the effort in. This past Sunday was Easter, and I was able to make a crumb cake that was not only safe for me to eat as a T1D, but tasted awesome, and all my “normie” family members loved it too.
My advice is try not to get discouraged. Face diabetes as a challenge and refuse to back down. There are going to be times when it kicks your butt, but pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and go back to being a strong, amazing warrior!
Good luck everybody!
“Dealing with curveballs”
1. – I’ve now been walking regularly for about 10 days. Every day or so I add another telephone pole to my walk so what started as a 25 minute walk is now up to about 40. I already feel stronger and realize I can walk faster than I started and still be less winded than in the beginning. This walk has become extremely important to me. The curveball is now my 7 year old grandson wants to walk with me. He is very persuasive but not prepared to walk as far or as fast as I want to. I have not decided when I walk to take him in the other direction at his pace and a controlled shorter distance. When I bring him home I then take off in my direction just like I hadn’t walked at all. I takes more time but fortunately retirement allows for that.
2. Cauliflower has become a very important part of my plan. About 2 weeks ago the market didn’t have any. YIKES! I tried every couple of days and no one seemed to know when they were getting it. YIKES! YIKES! Finally it came in and was I relieved. I did learn that the frozen section actually has some pretty good packages that can be used as substitutes. Now there is some of that in my freezer for san emergency.
3. In one of the blogs I read about different glucose readings from different fingers. I tried that and found a difference of about 5. The other day I actually tried the other hand and found a difference of 9. The only thing I haven’t tried is a 2 readings from the same drop. I don’t know if I will try this or not. I think I have decided as with most such equipment, nothing is perfect. I suspect that an error of a few percent is understandable. I have chosen not to think of a daily reading in terms of an absolute but more as approximately. Today I would be more inclined to report my number as 145 ish (that is they are coming in between 140 and 150. My next target has become 140 ish!
Great article! Sounds like me–head in the sand, hoping “it” (diabetes) will go away if i ignore it.
I decided on 01 march 2017 that i was going to give up sugar. Then I found this site A Couple of days after that. I read and read and read. It was making sense and sinking in. I started eating the low carb way.
My testing strips were a year out of date! That’s how long it had been since i’d checked!! I got some new strips around the last part of March. I was sooooo disappointed. My readings were (of course) high. So i had a “bad” evening–eating things I should’t, etc.
But then I had a little talk with myself. I did not know what my readings were before i started this process–but assumed they were probably even higher!!!! The only thing to do was to continue on, and see if they go down over more time. I also found that my readings before and after meals were different by one point at most. I thought that that was great news. By eating the low carb way i was not having huge flucuations.
So here i am in the middle of april and can report my numbers ARE coming down, albeit slowly.
Thank you–diabetes Meal Plans. Keep up with the awesome information. Hopfully one day the medical community will follow suit with getting proper eating plans out to those who need it.
So glad to hear you are doing well and finding the site and our resources helpful. I agree, your readings were probably much higher prior to making any changes but without checking, you’d never know. Keep up the good work!
Your free two-week locarb course helped me last lose 30#’S last year. I have a hard time balancing losing weight and keeping my blood glucose levels low. I have an average 96 bs for two tests a day for past 90 days. I’m down frm two Metformin 500 mg to one Metformin ER 500 mg a day. I hope to get off that as well. I don’t eat processed foods, hicarb fruits or veggies or drink alcohol since May 11, 2016. I walk twice a day. Could the locarb diet leave me feeling hungry. Does the Metformin leave me hungry since my bs levels are pretty low. I don’t think I can give up much more food. I eat a variety. I love protein. I have Shakeology drink and unsweetened berries for breakfast. Do you think I should take a vitamin? I’d like some suggestions on how to lose some more weight.
Congrats on your great results Rosemary – what you have achieved is FANTASTIC!
One way to increase your feeling of fullness without increasing calories is to eat more fiber – chia seeds, celery, broccoli and other non starchy vegetables. These will add lots of bulk to your diet.
Without knowing your full meal plan, it is possible your calories could be too low, which could make you feel hungry and can slow down you metabolism and prevent weight loss. So in this case you could add more healthy fats – avocado, nuts and seeds, olive oil, olives, coconut oil. Fat does not make you fat, but these will add a few more calories and fill you up more as well.
Additionally, taking two flaxseed capsules before meals always seems to help hunger as well as provide other benefits.
What an excellent topic! My story is much like this but I came to it with complications. Rheumatoid arthritis, A-fib, sleep apnea and grossly overweight for starters. I new because of family history what was coming and I wasn’t shocked. What did shock me was the massive amount of information circulating around, much of it from the medical profession, which seems to still have it wrong. I started glucose testing like a good little do-be and all I was getting from it was frustration as I tried to make correlations between what I was seeing in the meter and what I was eating. Since I was trying to eat like I thought I was told all I seemed to get for it was more medication.
Finally I stumbled onto this site and found I could really make a difference in my readings. I try to never think about what I shouldn’t have while concentrating on what I can. I don’t like to think in terms of substitutions like mashed cauliflower instead of mashed potato. What ever I eat I try to judge for what it is rather than what it isn’t. I started January this year with reading all over the place in the 200+ range with some occasionally 250 to 275. Last week I was in a pretty tight 160 to 170 cluster. This morning was my second reading in the low 140’s. I think I need to thank walking and some chair exercises I found her last week.
I think these blogs about diabetes are the best and I study each one I frequently go back and restudy them looking for some little hint I missed or have forgotten. I do something similar with the blogs about food but find I just really don’t care for somethings. It’s OK! This works even without being perfect at it. Just do the best you can!
So glad you find the site and information helpful! That is our goal, keep up the good work and great job educating yourself and having the right attitude about taking care of your health.