To the Editor:
I started the Cerro Gordo County Department of Public Health’s Diabetes Prevention Class in January 2016. I have struggled with being overweight for most of my life, and have battled a hypothyroid for 9 years. I also have a grandpa and two uncles with diabetes, and my mom has shown signs of being prediabetic. I saw the ad on the news for this class and thought the education and accountability would be great.
I have started to eat a diet that consists of a lot more protein and good fats, while eliminating as much sugar as possible. One of the biggest changes was the mindset that low fat foods like skim milk and low calorie dressings actually have more sugar, and 2% milk and yogurt based dressings are better for me. I have switched from cereal and juice at breakfast to eggs (with butter in the pan) and chicken sausage. I actually feel full faster and stay full longer than I did before. I also started to be much more diligent about walking every day. The logging of food eaten through the My Fitness Pal smartphone app and the minutes exercised, made me much more aware of how much I was actually eating and how little I was moving. My Fitness Pal has been a great tool!
I have lost 50 pounds since starting the program. It was not all fast and I have had plateaus, but the fact that I continued to feel better, kept me making the healthier eating choices even during the period of not losing each week. I also had a lot of inflammation in my knees and struggled with plantar fascistic that has improved greatly since starting the program in January. I have noticed an increase in energy. I used to be ready for bed right after my kids would go to bed and dread getting up in the morning, but now I am able to stay up much later and get up the first time the alarm goes off!
The next Diabetes Prevention Program will begin in January. Visit www.cghealth.com to register! It’s never too late to better your health!
Sincerely,
Carrie Braun
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Good job. Just remember this is forever. It is a lifestyle change. But it does work. I too have lost over 50 lbs. and keep my A1C around 5.7.
I have type 2 diabeties,i had bariatic weightloss surgery in 2013 ive lost all but 40,45 lbs to hit my goal weight,granted i cant eat much at one time but i know i can do better at my choice of foods,i love salads,fruits veggies,chicken tuna,shrimp even,its hard for me to get enough protein in though,any suggestion to help me? Btw i only take 1 shot (not insulin) aweek now not 4 different pills 3 times a day,both my parents were diabetic so is my older sister she has the pump.
go to the county Department of public Health.
Good for you. Keep it up..