Lifestyle Change Thread (NOT *dieting*!) Come join me!!

[SpringChickens]

My husband's sister got diagnosed with diabetes yesterday at the ripe old age of 32!! With a fasting blood sugar of 359

Needless to say, my husband and I are thinking we should make some lifestyle changes, particularly eating habits.

SIL used to be obese, but had weight loss surgery and is now 5'9" and around 130 lbs. This further cements the cold, hard fact that we need to change our lifestyle.

So! Starting today, we will begin trying to eat healthier, specifically trying to significantly reduce sugar intake (me especially

) and eat foods with a lower glycemic index. We will also try to start exercising more.

I plan on using this thread to post what I eat every day (boring... I know), and I would love it if you would post what you eat as well! I want someone to be accountable to... will you be that person?

I am considering using it to post my weight every Monday, but I think that may be too much like dieting? (I do need to lose weight. Currently 5'9" at 185lbs, 50 lbs. more than I was when I started college

)

What are your thoughts?

 

[SpringChickens]

So far, today I have been good!

I ate a bowl of raisin bran cereal for breakfast
Delicious ham and beans for lunch!
Carrot sticks for snack!

I WILL eat when I am hungry, just will try to eat well.

 

[1mommahen]

DH and I are starting July 1st! We are both 70 lbs overweight and luckily enough that's it.

His cholesterol is 200 and mine is 137 so no problems there and both of our sugar levels are fine.

It's just the darn weight! Good luck and we'll be with ya in a week!

Good luck!

 

[Phox01]

Your best bet is to spread your eating out over the whole day . Diabetic diets are usually 6 small meals, my husband is diabetic and our oldest son was diagnosed at age 16 so we have been at this a while. By eating less more often you maintain a level blood sugar , cutting out the sugar highs and crashes. You might check out the ADA sight , they have great advice on learning good eating habits . Good luck on your lifestyle changes , I will be rooting for you.

 

[DTchickens]

eating sugar and carbs, doesn't exactly make you a diabetic.. recent studies show that diabetis comes more from just not exercising and being over weight. but sugar can do "A LOT".. to you're body, so it's a good thing to eat healthier.

.. I too plan to start working out/eating better.

 

[Rolsjo]

My hubby and I just started a diet program yesterday. I know, you're not doing a diet, but we'd like to make this a lifestyle change also. We eat pretty healthy, in that most of what we eat is from scratch and we avoid some of the obvious junk foods. We're both about 10-15 pounds overweight and have gotten used to being less active. So, we're just going to count some calories until we have a good idea of how much is too much.

I have had various health problems crop up the last 5 years so I wanted to make some serious changes. Last fall I completely cut out sugar in any form. It about killed me! However, I now have tons more energy and can eat small amounts of sugar without feeling sick to my stomach. Once you get used to avoiding sugar it is so easy. I still bake treats all the time, they are just healthier. (And they don't taste healthier! YAY!)

So, count me in! We CAN do this!

 

[pdsavage]

i dont have a weight proublem BUT i have gallstones....
so its eat better or be in pain.......

 

[saddina]

http://health.msn.com/dietfitnesswellnesscenter/

There's a really good meal planner tool in here, that also tracks progress and workouts. I used it last year when I lost 48 Lbs.

 

[Iowa Roo Mom]

I love the idea of a diary of eating habits! I will try to use it every day, as well. I am not comfortable telling the whole world my weight, but anyone with functioning eyes can see that I am obese. There, I said it. Obese. I am not- will not- have bariatric surgery. I am not saying there is anything wrong with it, I'm just saying it is not for me. I did Nutrisystem, and lost 35 pounds! But it is so expensive... I've tried to keep that weight off, but I have fallen back into some old, bad habbits. Maybe BYC is what I need to get motivated again! I'm going to give it a shot- I firmly believe that with the right support- one can do anything!

 

[tdkmom]

Well at 5'9 and 185 lbs I don't think you need to diet that's for sure. But it never hurts to eat healthy. I was doing so well for 3 months exercising but got sick and fell off the wagon. I need to lose weight at 5'4 and 165. That's 67 lbs more than I weighed when I got married (19 years ago in August). I'd like to lost 35 lbs. Wii Fit really helped me and my son & I just started again playing Outdoor Challenge. It's a lot of fun but exercising at the same time. Good luck! And wish me some too!