OT Type 2 Diabetes (1 Viewer)

[THE HCP]

Was hoping to create this thread as a place for me to come for help, opinions, recommendations, advice and most importantly fat jokes.
Some on here know I go by Big John. I wasn‘t always Big John. That didn’t really happen until my kids arrived in the early 2000s. Hate to use that as an excuse…..but the combo of me not playing hoops 4 nights a week anymore and right around that same time in my life, I started traveling year round for work…… I definitely took a huge downturn in my exercise and activity. The 11:30PM meals on the team plane definitely didn’t help.
I would say after the military until 2001 when my son was born I was right around 195-200 lbs. At 5’10” I was always told I was stocky with broad shoulders, but never “fat”, just always solid.
Well that definitely changed like I mentioned above.
Fast forward to exactly 10 years ago from today, in a hotel room in NYC on a road trip, I stepped on a scale and was completely blown away by what I saw. I knew I was completely overweight and out of shape. I could tell trying to go hiking with the family and while trying to play ball. I officially retired from hooping about 15 years ago and it hurt not being able to play. Not just for the health aspect of it, but the camaraderie. My schedule and weight were the major factor, but mostly my weight.
After that 2015 weigh in and wake up call, (GUESS I SHOULD TELL YOU THE ACTUAL NUMBER TO PUT THIS IN CONTEXT…. WHEN I LOOKED DOWN I SAW 333LBS !!!) ….. I started doing something about it. Hitting the gym and trying to eat better. Didn’t change my diet much, but definitely started working out. Never did go see a doctor, which I now realize was a huge mistake. At that point I really should have. The last doctors visit/physical I had was when I was 18 in the ARMY.

So over the course of next 5 years, and during COVID, I dropped down to 300 even. I noticed being able to be a bit more active with the kids and on family outings….so maybe I fooled myself into thinking things were under control, or at least headed in the right direction. I think the fact that clothes were fitting that I was unable to wear in the past, also gave me a false sense of accomplishment.
Since then, no matter how much I worked out though, nothing changed. I WILL admit to not changing my diet.
I didn’t mention that I do not drink or smoke…..but my vice for my entire adult life has been soda. Just drinking it daily and a lot of it.
Deep down, I always felt my wife and kids deserved better. Always wanted to be a proper example for my little ones. But maybe I was? Both headed off to play college sports in spite of me not showing them how to take care of themselves. Maybe they saw what not to do! #BAM

Fast forward to this summer. I went in to get my colonoscopy and everything came back good to go (Knock on wood)
That doctor said I really need to go get a physical. I agreed, but like in the past, didn’t act on it.
From June to August, I had 3 great childhood friends of mine go down with heart attacks while they were at work. ALL 3 DIED! ALL 3 overweight #BAM…..right there, dropped dead.
I was shook! Enough was enough. I reached out to get a doctors appointment set up that day!

I went in for a physical. They ran tests on me and my blood. Everything came back normal, except the 3 things you really wish HAD. They said my cholesterol/blood pressure/blood sugar were sky high.
I asked the doctor (WHO WAS REALLY HOT BY THE WAY AND I THINK WAS FLIRTING WITH ME THE WHOLE TIME)(SHE ALSO HAD TO ASK ME TO PUT MY PANTS BACK ON WHEN SHE SAID THEY WERE CHECKING MY BLOOD PRESSURE) I asked her is this was a lifestyle situation that I did to myself. She said, “YES!” It was tough to hear, but was needed. She then informed me that I was a Type 2 Diabetic.
My eyes have been opened.
For somebody whose only history of taking medication has been advil and Zyrtec….. it has been a major wake up call. I am now on two blood pressure medications and a pills for diabetes. Every morning I take my own blood pressure and blood sugar. I use the HEALTH app on my iPad and iPhone to log it and it graphs it all out for me. This is all so foreign for me, especially to get in some kind of routine while on the road. I take a shot once a week now. Not sure what it is, but it’s called a GLP. Did some research and it says it is to help with your diabetes and blood sugar levels. They said there are side AFFECTS/EFFECTS and boy are they right. I just took my third shot this past Monday. It really has changed how I feel about food.
In the mornings I’m not hungry at all. Actually messes up my stomach a bit. My wife was worried about me after that first week. So she got me some protein shakes. I now have a shake and a banana for breakfast every morning. If I see any greasy food or soda or anything, it looks disgusting to me. Which is good I guess.
This is day 18 of my “2nd chance in life” I call it, and I feel damn good to be honest. Went on more walks in the past 3 weeks then I have in forever. DoorDash at the hotel so far this season has been salads and chicken and rice instead of Shake Shack and pizza. Bubly sparkling water instead of Pepsi.
Best I’ve felt in I don’t know how long. If I do eat some kind of “regular” meal, I can only eat half and I’m full.
Craziest thing. My right knee has been hurting me for about 10 years. Throbbing, sore, swollen…… I literally walked up the steps of the plane yesterday and got to the top and was like, “HOLY SHIT!” It didn’t hurt. Woke up this morning and it didn’t hurt. It’s been fantastic!
I go back in for a 1 month checkup on November 18th. Excited because with my knee feeling good and I have an appointment with the dietitian next week, things should get even better. Never felt so motivated about anything in my life. Can safely say that.
Doc told me NOT to weigh myself, and just to worry about my blood sugar levels and blood pressure and the weight will come off…..BUT….. I couldn’t help myself this morning.
On October 19th, I was officially 301lbs.
This morning I was officially 279lbs.

Didn’t create this thread for attaboys or anything like that. Was hoping if any of you out there have dealt with or are dealing with this or are a fitness guru and have any pointers or advice to send my way or anybody else’s way on here, I’m begging you to.
I know I could use all the help I can get! Thinking maybe having this out like this will make me a bit more accountable as well.
You have no idea how good that felt to share. YEARS of pent up frustrations and shame right there, @SlyPokerDog thanks for giving us a forum for this type of thing. Even though I know this isn’t what this place is about…..I consider all of yo…..errrrr a bunch of yo…….errrrr 2 of you friends! In all seriousness, if anybody else is going thru this, @THE HCP is wishing you the best. Thanks FAMS!

 

[Strenuus]

FUCK YEAH BROTHER. Way to take care of yourself. The hardest thing is the fucking food, man. I feel you. I'm not "overweight" and my last checks my numbers were good, but I still want to change because that can change.

Working out is fun... haven't gone in 3 months, but was going for a year 3 days a week. I'll get back on that horse.

Way to take care of that business. Cutting soda is freaking huge too. I cut it about 2 years ago, and as much sugars as I can (impossible in this world, but I cut out all candy, sweets, etc)... Keep doing that good work, brother.

 

[barfo]

Attaboy!

barfo

 

[JfizzleBlazer]

Great to hear that you are changing your life and that you are going to the doctors.

About three years ago my dad couldn't breathe. He called me and asked me to come pick him up to take him into the hospital. I told him if he needed to go I was going to call an ambulance for him. Called the ambulance and waited at the hospital. The doctor came and talked to me and told me he was an hour away from dying and that he was by far the sickest person in the hospital. He had to be put on a ventilator and was put in a coma. He had undiagnosed diabetes type 2. He hadn't gone to the doctor for decades.

He ended up recovering. He found a diet that works for him and he goes to the doctor regularly. His diet is pretty boring but staying alive to see his grandkids is what is most important to him.

Good luck on your journey. You got lots to live for. Your family needs you and you'll kick diabetes ass.

 

[THE HCP]

Attaboy!

barfo

DAMN YOU

 

[THE HCP]

FUCK YEAH BROTHER. Way to take care of yourself. The hardest thing is the fucking food, man. I feel you. I'm not "overweight" and my last checks my numbers were good, but I still want to change because that can change.

Working out is fun... haven't gone in 3 months, but was going for a year 3 days a week. I'll get back on that horse.

Way to take care of that business. Cutting soda is freaking huge too. I cut it about 2 years ago, and as much sugars as I can (impossible in this world, but I cut out all candy, sweets, etc)... Keep doing that good work, brother.

Thanks man. If anybody else wants to share their journey please do. I am seeing how healthy it is mentally to share.

 

[THE HCP]

Great to hear that you are changing your life and that you are going to the doctors.

About three years ago my dad couldn't breathe. He called me and asked me to come pick him up to take him into the hospital. I told him if he needed to go I was going to call an ambulance for him. Called the ambulance and waited at the hospital. The doctor came and talked to me and told me he was an hour away from dying and that he was by far the sickest person in the hospital. He had to be put on a ventilator and was put in a coma. He had undiagnosed diabetes type 2. He hadn't gone to the doctor for decades.

He ended up recovering. He found a diet that works for him and he goes to the doctor regularly. His diet is pretty boring but staying alive to see his grandkids is what is most important to him.

Good luck on your journey. You got lots to live for. Your family needs you and you'll kick diabetes ass.

Glad to hear he is doing better. Couldn’t imagine my kids having to go thru this.

 

[SlyPokerDog]

Wow, thanks for sharing.

Sounds like you're doing the right things.

The only thing I want to add is get a doctor you like and stick with them.

I've had the same doctor for the last 12 years and it makes a huge difference. I actually go to Broadway Medical Clinic by you, lol. Great clinic, great service. I can text you the name of my doctor if you want. He's a huge Blazer fan.

Don't listen to people's negative bullshit about Ozempic, Wegovy, etc. THEY WORK. They're for people with similar situations like yours. People, including myself, thought they were cheating. They're not. It's not cheating if you take something to help you lose weight, just like it's not cheating to take something to lower your BP or cholesterol.

Talk to you doctor about your options. But again, you want to have a regular doctor.

And since we're all talking about our health and shit, lol.

I always go in a week before my annual physical to do my labs. I want them done before I see my doctor so we can discuss the results during the visit. I never understood getting them after you see your doctor.

 

[THE HCP]

Wow, thanks for sharing.

Sounds like you're doing the right things.

The only thing I want to add is get a doctor you like and stick with them.

I've had the same doctor for the last 12 years and it makes a huge difference. I actually go to Broadway Medical Clinic by you, lol. Great clinic, great service. I can text you the name of my doctor if you want. He's a huge Blazer fan.

Don't listen to people's negative bullshit about Ozempic, Wegovy, etc. THEY WORK. They're for people with similar situations like yours. People, including myself, thought they were cheating. They're not. It's not cheating if you take something to help you lose weight, just like it's not cheating to take something to lower your BP or cholesterol.

Talk to you doctor about your options. But again, you want to have a regular doctor.

And since we're all talking about our health and shit, lol.

I always go in a week before my annual physical to do my labs. I want them done before I see my doctor so we can discuss the results during the visit. I never understood getting them after you see your doctor.

Thanks man! This is all so new to me. Yes send me your doctor’s info. I’ve been trying to get a primary care physician for 5 months now and none that were recommended are taking new patients. I have a couple friends that are emergency room doctors and said for me to get started the way I have was to simply go to Zoom Care and meet with a nurse practitioner. That’s what I did, and she has been fantastic. But I would love to start seeing a PCP.

 

[Shaboid]

About 6 months ago my wife was diagnosed with late onset type 1 diabetes. It's definitely changed our lifestyles. 4 shots a day and constant glucose monitoring for her is rough. We pretty much only have healthy foods around the house these days. As big of a pain in the ass as it is, her, myself, and our two kids are all going to be eating healthy whether we like it or not, so I guess that's the silver lining.

Sounds like you have a good perspective given the situation. Keep that mindset and your health will improve. Sly's advice about a doctor you can trust is very valuable. You're only as good as the team around you.

 

[Phatguysrule]

Was hoping to create this thread as a place for me to come for help, opinions, recommendations, advice and most importantly fat jokes.
Some on here know I go by Big John. I wasn‘t always Big John. That didn’t really happen until my kids arrived in the early 2000s. Hate to use that as an excuse…..but the combo of me not playing hoops 4 nights a week anymore and right around that same time in my life, I started traveling year round for work…… I definitely took a huge downturn in my exercise and activity. The 11:30PM meals on the team plane definitely didn’t help.
I would say after the military until 2001 when my son was born I was right around 195-200 lbs. At 5’10” I was always told I was stocky with broad shoulders, but never “fat”, just always solid.
Well that definitely changed like I mentioned above.
Fast forward to exactly 10 years ago from today, in a hotel room in NYC on a road trip, I stepped on a scale and was completely blown away by what I saw. I knew I was completely overweight and out of shape. I could tell trying to go hiking with the family and while trying to play ball. I officially retired from hooping about 15 years ago and it hurt not being able to play. Not just for the health aspect of it, but the camaraderie. My schedule and weight were the major factor, but mostly my weight.
After that 2015 weigh in and wake up call, (GUESS I SHOULD TELL YOU THE ACTUAL NUMBER TO PUT THIS IN CONTEXT…. WHEN I LOOKED DOWN I SAW 333LBS !!!) ….. I started doing something about it. Hitting the gym and trying to eat better. Didn’t change my diet much, but definitely started working out. Never did go see a doctor, which I now realize was a huge mistake. At that point I really should have. The last doctors visit/physical I had was when I was 18 in the ARMY.

So over the course of next 5 years, and during COVID, I dropped down to 300 even. I noticed being able to be a bit more active with the kids and on family outings….so maybe I fooled myself into thinking things were under control, or at least headed in the right direction. I think the fact that clothes were fitting that I was unable to wear in the past, also gave me a false sense of accomplishment.
Since then, no matter how much I worked out though, nothing changed. I WILL admit to not changing my diet.
I didn’t mention that I do not drink or smoke…..but my vice for my entire adult life has been soda. Just drinking it daily and a lot of it.
Deep down, I always felt my wife and kids deserved better. Always wanted to be a proper example for my little ones. But maybe I was? Both headed off to play college sports in spite of me not showing them how to take care of themselves. Maybe they saw what not to do! #BAM

Fast forward to this summer. I went in to get my colonoscopy and everything came back good to go (Knock on wood)
That doctor said I really need to go get a physical. I agreed, but like in the past, didn’t act on it.
From June to August, I had 3 great childhood friends of mine go down with heart attacks while they were at work. ALL 3 DIED! ALL 3 overweight #BAM…..right there, dropped dead.
I was shook! Enough was enough. I reached out to get a doctors appointment set up that day!

I went in for a physical. They ran tests on me and my blood. Everything came back normal, except the 3 things you really wish HAD. They said my cholesterol/blood pressure/blood sugar were sky high.
I asked the doctor (WHO WAS REALLY HOT BY THE WAY AND I THINK WAS FLIRTING WITH ME THE WHOLE TIME)(SHE ALSO HAD TO ASK ME TO PUT MY PANTS BACK ON WHEN SHE SAID THEY WERE CHECKING MY BLOOD PRESSURE) I asked her is this was a lifestyle situation that I did to myself. She said, “YES!” It was tough to hear, but was needed. She then informed me that I was a Type 2 Diabetic.
My eyes have been opened.
For somebody whose only history of taking medication has been advil and Zyrtec….. it has been a major wake up call. I am now on two blood pressure medications and a pills for diabetes. Every morning I take my own blood pressure and blood sugar. I use the HEALTH app on my iPad and iPhone to log it and it graphs it all out for me. This is all so foreign for me, especially to get in some kind of routine while on the road. I take a shot once a week now. Not sure what it is, but it’s called a GLP. Did some research and it says it is to help with your diabetes and blood sugar levels. They said there are side AFFECTS/EFFECTS and boy are they right. I just took my third shot this past Monday. It really has changed how I feel about food.
In the mornings I’m not hungry at all. Actually messes up my stomach a bit. My wife was worried about me after that first week. So she got me some protein shakes. I now have a shake and a banana for breakfast every morning. If I see any greasy food or soda or anything, it looks disgusting to me. Which is good I guess.
This is day 18 of my “2nd chance in life” I call it, and I feel damn good to be honest. Went on more walks in the past 3 weeks then I have in forever. DoorDash at the hotel so far this season has been salads and chicken and rice instead of Shake Shack and pizza. Bubly sparkling water instead of Pepsi.
Best I’ve felt in I don’t know how long. If I do eat some kind of “regular” meal, I can only eat half and I’m full.
Craziest thing. My right knee has been hurting me for about 10 years. Throbbing, sore, swollen…… I literally walked up the steps of the plane yesterday and got to the top and was like, “HOLY SHIT!” It didn’t hurt. Woke up this morning and it didn’t hurt. It’s been fantastic!
I go back in for a 1 month checkup on November 18th. Excited because with my knee feeling good and I have an appointment with the dietitian next week, things should get even better. Never felt so motivated about anything in my life. Can safely say that.
Doc told me NOT to weigh myself, and just to worry about my blood sugar levels and blood pressure and the weight will come off…..BUT….. I couldn’t help myself this morning.
On October 19th, I was officially 301lbs.
This morning I was officially 279lbs.

Didn’t create this thread for attaboys or anything like that. Was hoping if any of you out there have dealt with or are dealing with this or are a fitness guru and have any pointers or advice to send my way or anybody else’s way on here, I’m begging you to.
I know I could use all the help I can get! Thinking maybe having this out like this will make me a bit more accountable as well.
You have no idea how good that felt to share. YEARS of pent up frustrations and shame right there, @SlyPokerDog thanks for giving us a forum for this type of thing. Even though I know this isn’t what this place is about…..I consider all of yo…..errrrr a bunch of yo…….errrrr 2 of you friends! In all seriousness, if anybody else is going thru this, @THE HCP is wishing you the best. Thanks FAMS!

Damnit. I'd sure love to be sub 280 again someday... Super proud of you for getting there! I'm sure you'll have no problem keeping it coming off.

Thanks for sharing!

 

[Phatguysrule]

Great to hear that you are changing your life and that you are going to the doctors.

About three years ago my dad couldn't breathe. He called me and asked me to come pick him up to take him into the hospital. I told him if he needed to go I was going to call an ambulance for him. Called the ambulance and waited at the hospital. The doctor came and talked to me and told me he was an hour away from dying and that he was by far the sickest person in the hospital. He had to be put on a ventilator and was put in a coma. He had undiagnosed diabetes type 2. He hadn't gone to the doctor for decades.

He ended up recovering. He found a diet that works for him and he goes to the doctor regularly. His diet is pretty boring but staying alive to see his grandkids is what is most important to him.

Good luck on your journey. You got lots to live for. Your family needs you and you'll kick diabetes ass.

I'm glad he's doing well!

 

[Phatguysrule]

About 6 months ago my wife was diagnosed with late onset type 1 diabetes. It's definitely changed our lifestyles. 4 shots a day and constant glucose monitoring for her is rough. We pretty much only have healthy foods around the house these days. As big of a pain in the ass as it is, her, myself, and our two kids are all going to be eating healthy whether we like it or not, so I guess that's the silver lining.

Sounds like you have a good perspective given the situation. Keep that mindset and your health will improve. Sly's advice about a doctor you can trust is very valuable. You're only as good as the team around you.

Happy she caught it while still healthy and your family seems to have it's under control. That's as much a credit to you as it is to her.

Great job to you both!

 

[riverman]

Heal em up Big John! Stick with your program homeslice! It's nothing to fuck around with. Glad you found out before it's too late. With your condition, eat eggs for protein and veggies and fruit for fiber. You'll turn it around. Also can recommend green tea. Hot water is great for weight and blood sugar control. If you see a photo of your skeletal frame inside your body you can see what you need to do pretty clearly. Once I took off the excess weight, my cholesterol, blood pressure and blood sugar levels all stabilized.. Bro I seriously hope you turn it around and you'll feel so much better for it! Soup is a great way to get a healthy diet kickstarted. (again with the hot water thing)