Hi Everyone,

I'm a longtime lurker and sometime poster. I've been overweight (my highest wt was 315, around 265 to 270 now) since my early teens, and have been (half-@ssed) trying to correct the problem since my early 20's (I'll be 29 this month). Unfortunately, my body decided I'd had more than enough time to get my act together, and crapped out on me in mid to late 2008. I developed a nasty case of double pneumonia last summer, and when it finally receded, I developed some new, scary, debilitating (severe dizziness/vertigo, gastro upset, and lower leg edema) symptoms, the cause of which was revealed in a 397 fasting blood sugar reading (doc did a full blood panel in an attempt to figure out the problem). That's right, it was full-blown Type 2 Diabetes. Initially, I was DEVASTATED and quite depressed (and shocked, since my symptoms did not seem like the typical warning signs), worrying about my long-term health, my short-term sanity, and my family (I am married, no kids, but want kids, and I CANNOT be an overweight diabetic AND safely navigate a pregnancy). My mother and both of her parents are diabetic too, and my mother has suffered a lot of complications. So suffice it to say, I need to do something about this NOW. So that brings me back to 3FC. I will be returning to the South Beach diet in a few days, in an attempt to "reverse" (AKA essentially cure) my diabetes, lose the weight, preserve my health, and get my body ready for motherhood.

I'm currently on 2 meds, Glipizide and Glucophage (as well as Lisinopril for high BP, yup, co-morbidity time!), and my sugars are under good control with the meds (I have been working out frequently, which helps), and I am doing OK with my carbs, but I need to do better if I want my doc to be able to take me off these damn drugs (she is supportive).

So I'm here, no fear, get used to it It sucks to have to "return" under these circumstances, but I'm looking at my diabetes as the wake-up call I so sorely needed to FINALLY get myself lean, fit, and healthy. Looking forward to health and fun in 2009!

-HalloweenGirl (yes, I love Halloween!)

Welcome HalloweenGirl! You've found a very supportive place. I'm a fairly newbie type 2 diabetic (2 yrs) and I love this board (especially Meowee in particular!). Your ticker says you've already lost 49.2 pounds; that's terrific! I was 268 when I started this journey, now down to 240, and I was thrilled when I broke through 250, it had always seemed like a glass floor to me, I couldn't get below it, and now I am! I've been overweight all of my life, and my diagnosis was the absolute kick in the pants for me to get started. I am doing a low glycemic, low fat, almost vegan way of eating; I wish you much success on your path! You can do it! We are all here to support you!

Hey Im in the same shoes you are in. I just found out myself I am type 2 diabetic. Thats the reason im back here. I am having to do the low carb thing too. No medicine yet, hopefully I can control it by food. HOpefully!!! I hope to learn a lot on these boards. I love it here...when Idont slip up and just stop coming, like I did last time. Take care...

Welcome..im rosey from alaska,wife, mother of 2,grdma to 4..ive been a type 2 for longer than i can remember..you have come to a great place to share info and get support..most of us post in the dieting with diabetes section..come join us..and good luck as we can do this with info and support rosey

Thanks again ladies! My crappy doc never gave me the option to try and control it w/diet and exercise (at Kaiser Permanente, they have a "the patient is lazy" philosophy, so they medicate you to death. Do I sound bitter? Sorry

I'm also a longtime lurker and sometime poster! I haven't actually been diagnosed with diabetes but the last time I had blood work done, my sugar was a little high and they wanted me to do a glucose tolerance test. I opted not to do it. I decided I could correct it with exercise, diet and weight loss. I'm not really following a specific diet but I am eliminating junk food and eating good carbs, high fiber, lean protein and lots of vegetables. I'm exercising at least an hour a day. I really don't want to be fat for summer!