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Ed and the School of Hard Knocks
Decided it was time to make a change
For Ed, diabetes wasn’t only a wake-up call—it was an alarm clock.
In October 2001 at 63 years of age, Ed was tired all the time and weighed over 250 pounds.
“I don’t know exactly how much I weighed then, because I didn’t weigh myself. I know I was already losing weight with my diabetes, but 250 is the number I started at.”
Before diagnosis, Ed suspected he might have diabetes. He went to have his blood glucose tested. No one told him his blood glucose was 428 mg/dl that day. A few days later, on Halloween night, he fell asleep at the wheel, causing a four-car accident. He told the emergency room staff he thought he had diabetes, but they didn’t check his blood glucose level.
Within a few days, his hunch was finally confirmed. His blood glucose was 526 mg/dl. His doctor gave him the choice to go home and learn to manage his diabetes on his own, or to go to the hospital and be educated about diabetes self-management. He opted to go to the hospital. He has never regretted it.
“When I was diagnosed, I had already started to lose weight due to my diabetes,” says Ed. “So I just kept doing what I learned to do. I felt lucky I didn’t have any complications and decided it was time for me to make a change.
Ed’s reason
Ending up in the hospital
with a blood glucose of 526 mg/dl. “I realized I was lucky to
not have any of the diabetes complications, and I decided it was
time to change so I did not end up with complications.”
Ed’s problem
“I was inactive for
a long time and developed bad habits. Both of my grandmothers were
overweight. Bad programming. Lack of knowledge about good
nutrition.”
What was in Ed’s way?
“No
exercise. I ate whenever and whatever I wanted. Portions were too
big, and too many carbs. I tried the Stillman and Atkins diets, but
they didn’t work in the long run because I was always hungry
due to eating too few carbs.”
What was his method?
“I started walking
most days for 20 to 40 minutes. I learned to count and control my
carbs. I aim for 80 grams per meal, give or take. The big difference
is from learning to limit the carbs instead of eliminating them.
I’m surprised at how much I eat now without gaining because of
controlling my carb intake and getting regular exercise. I avoid
taking elevators and parking close by.”
| Ed’s Progress | ||
|---|---|---|
| November, 2005 | May, 2006 | |
| Weight | 250 pounds | 150 pounds |
| BMI | 35.9 | 21.5 |
| A1C | 14% | 6.7% |
| Blood pressure | 118/80 | 118/70 |
| Lipid Profile | ||
| Total cholesterol | 213 mg/dl | 155 mg/dl |
| Triglycerides | 207 mg/dl | 28 mg/dl |
| HDL | 43 mg/dl | 77 mg/dl |
| LDL | 128 mg/dl | 72 mg/dl |
Categories: A1c Test, Blood Glucose, Diabetes, Diabetes, Losing weight, Personal Stories, Weight Loss
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Diabetes Health is the essential resource for people living with diabetes- both newly diagnosed and experienced as well as the professionals who care for them. We provide balanced expert news and information on living healthfully with diabetes. Each issue includes cutting-edge editorial coverage of new products, research, treatment options, and meaningful lifestyle issues.
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