Did anyone ever really conquer Type Two Diabetes with only diet/exercise?

Question

I've been told to take Glucophage pills. My doctor prescribed them. But I don't want to. If I drop my weight from 184 (now) to about 160 (over a period of about four months), and exercise hard every day, will my glucose readings after a 10-hour fast read within normal range? (It tests at about 150 mg/dl now each morning).
Have YOU conquered the disease by changing your own lifestyle?

Answer 1

In my case, which may not be typical, I started out taking pills, then had to gradually start taking shots twice a day. This was because I did not watch my diet like I was supposed to. One day I decided I would try to lose weight and exercise...I started eating 6 times a day....breakfast, snack, lunch, snack, dinner, snack...I tried to watch my calorie intake and would try to do at least a half hour of walking every day. As I started losing weight, I added more exercise. My sugar levels started dropping, which allowed me to decrease my insulin...eventually I was able to stop my insulin and kept my sugar under control with just the diet and exercise. I believe that it can be done in most cases. Losing that weight would def finitely be beneficiary. Unfortunately, I did not keep up with eating healthy and gained the weight back so I am back on insulin again. I am now trying to get back the ambition that I once had for my health. I hope this helps!

Answer 2

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Answer 3

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Answer 4

I can only speak about my experiences...... I do a cardio/weight(heavy) program on a seven day rotation and run every day for 3.5 to 5 miles. I am on a 2000 cal diet but spread that over six different meals a day, roughly 320 cal/meal.
I take No Oral Meds or No insulin injections.
My HGBa1C's run between 5.8 to 6.4 and my fasting glucose's (overnight) fluctuate between 85 and 115 over the last few years. On occasion, I spike up during the day and drop lower than 80 in the evenings.
On this exercise and diet program, I have lost 36 lbs over the last year, 50 over the last year and a half. My body fat percentage went from 26% down to 10% over the same peroid.
Now, with all that said, you may follow a simular program and do exactly what I did and still have a problem with your fasting levels. OR You may do better and get everything under control.
My doctor and dietitian told me there was no set way that lasts forever. They both said that I would probley have to adjust my diet and exercise program and micro manage my diet and exercise program as long as I live.
I started on this program because I too was threatened with medication. One side effect of all this is that I am close to being in the best shape of my life.
Good luck.

Answer 5

Yes, people do beat mild diabetes with diet and exercise.

Now, do consider, that if you take the glucophage, it will be much easier to lose weight! No kidding. I lost 40# when I started taking it. I also started walking more.

I now require 1/2 glucophage I started out on.

The thing is, glucophage keeps your blood glucose levels in control, you still have to eat right. But know that everytime your bg levels go up or down, it is doing serious damage to your eyes, kidneys, ciruclatory system, etc. It is best to take it until you are completely in control.

You did not say what your height was, but if you are 5'2 to 5'6", you will have to bring your weight down much lower to get the best results.

Consider a low glycemic diet to help you lose weight and keep your bg within range.

My last A1c was 5.1

Best of luck to you!

Answer 6

I've managed to go over a week w/o Metformin (Glucophage) with just diet and exercise. Since you didn't mention your height, it's difficult to judge how well you'll do. I can say this... if you get your weight below 23 on the BMI scale, and you follow a healthy low carb, low fat, primarily vegetable diet, you should be able to accomplish it. Conquer?? No. Control?? Absolutely. Here's more help: http://www.geocities.com/seabulls69/Type_II_Diabetes.html

Answer 7

with type two diabetes, insulin is having a problem dealing with the sugars we eat.
insulin enters your body from your pancreas.
when you eat, the insulin is secreted into your system to keep the assorted sugars in control.
sometimes the problem is the pancreas does not secrete enough insulin, sometimes the insulin secreted does not act on the sugars, sometimes our body cells do not accept the insulin, whether from your own pancreas or the insulin we take in shots.
if you are simply taking glucophage at this point, be happy.
it means that your system is not in terrible shape, and the oral pill should take care of the problem.
many folks have to take blood tests to check their glucose levels several times a day, and then, give themselves a shot to offset the elevated sugar levels.
some even wear insulin pumps to automatically inject the insulin in their systems.
in diabetes, diet and exercise always can play a positive role.
depending on your circumstances, keeping track of the glucose level, being compliant with your medicine, and seeing your doctor regularly will keep you from trouble.
diabetes, when not kept at bay, can cause blindness,
loss of limbs, and death.
don't play around.
joe

Answer 8

yes
Ketogenic diet. It will change your life.
And remember exercise isn't always running ten miles. It is something simple like walking a few blocks twice a day.

Answer 9

people who regularly weigh themselves and keep track of their progress in a journal are more likely to lose weight

Answer 10

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