Self Medicating With Food...Diabetes, Support?

[73kittycat73]

Hi, I've tried to word/start writing this a few times, so I hope it comes out OK...But, today I have finally realized that I eat junk/sweet food to self medicate.
I have type 2 diabetes and have been 'getting away' with it for a while, but I'm starting to feel the effects of eating sweet food. If I eat chocolate before bed for example, I get terrible cramps in (Mainly my left) calf. Recently I have cut down on chocolate as it was making me feel like crap after eating it. I take depression and anxiety tablets and they make me tired so I thought it was them. However I have really noticed recently that eating it makes me so wiped out afterwards.
Today I was bored so ate a bit of cheesecake. Boy did I feel like shit afterwards. I was still feeling a bit rubbish a few hours later so I decided to dig out the old blood sugar testing kit. My blood sugars were17. In the dangerous category. (A non diabetic person should be between 7.1 to 10.0). It has given me a shake, and a wake up call.
I went to my Sainsburys delivery (Due Sunday.) and have taken all the sweet things out, including Pepsi Max. I drink 2ltrs of the stuff a day (I get 'cotton wool' mouth from the medications I take for depression/anxiety and just water does nothing.). I have read conflicting articles on whether Pepsi Max spikes your insulin so have taken them out my list too. I tried finding a decent drink that wasn't full of sugar or artificial sweeteners, I couldn't find any! So I have ordered some fizzy water and orange squash (With sweeteners.) to have it very diluted for some flavour.
However, like I said, it's only just clicked that I self medicate with food (Sweet stuff being the most.). I know I'll be back to craving even later tonight, or definitely tomorrow, so I was wondering if anybody would like to join me on cutting down on junk food. We could come on when we are craving, or just for some support generally. If you're doing it to loose weight that's fine too.
I hope I haven't gone on...I just wanted to be honest (With myself too.) and start a new, healthier, way of eating.

Just re-read my post, sorry, it looks like I am lol'ing at your coaching. Honestly I'm not, I'm lol'ing at me wanting to eat all the carbs.
I guess I'm a bit more tired than I realised.

Haha it's fine I knew what you meant. Yep set up food goals and exercise regime. I'm pretty excited for it to start plus they're fine with me being low carb.

Oh good, I'm glad I didn't inadvertently insult you! Got to sleep gone 4am in the end. You'll have to let me know how the coaching goes, it sounds exciting. Good that they allow low carb. Are you aiming to lose weight or get fitter? Hope you have lots of fun doing it anyway.
I have been on quite a few trips out now, with my mum. We even walked around the block yesterday and I didn't have my backpack with me (Has my diazepam in it in case of panic attack, sweets for feeling woozy, etc.). Got a bit scared at one point but pushed on and did it. We are going for another walk today, round the next block. That was a big trigger for me round there as I had a big panic once and couldn't do it for ages. However, I feel (A bit nervous) OK about doing it today. I'm quite looking forward to it, in a perverse kind of way! lol

Wow that's brilliant! Was it sunny? Did that make any difference? I always feel better when the suns out.

I want to lose some body fat (I carry it in my lower belly and hips) and build muscle to look more toned. I just need some accountability and guidance I think. I've got into bad habits of feeling slim when I'm hungry and I don't want that sort of relationship with food.

Thank you. Yes, it was sunny and warm (Today was sunny but the wind was freezing!), I think it did make a difference yes as we didn't rush. Went for my planned walk today and didn't feel any physical symptoms of anxiety. First time as long as I can remember. I'm planning on getting to out local recreation park. It's big and lovely and has had a new orchard planted. Sounds really posh doesn't it?lol It's not bad at all really. I would like to get closer to nature again.
Well good luck with your coaching. When does it start? I carry all my weight in my belly too. Classic apple. (I used to be hourglass, then after a breast reduction became a pear, now I'm an apple. Wah! )
Do you find yourself hungry on low carb then? I must admit, I don't usually, well, not to tummy rumbles stage anyway. I hope you can manage a healthy relationship with food again.
How often will you be exercising? Do you plan to do it long term?
I'm was doing my walking mainly as I have got so unfit. Just walking to the local shop knackard me. Went twice on Sunday though (He was closed unexpectedly first time.) and was OK. Previously I've never been one for sport or working out so I thought now I'd like to get a bit fitter so am starting slowly.

Wow @73kittycat73 you sound like you’re doing really well with going out and about! Well done!

I’ve ordered some of those bread rolls and hot cross buns!

Bit of a lazy day here. Had a walk with a friend yesterday and doing a bigger walk tomorrow, so today’s been a rest day!!

That sounds lovely! Walking is really good for you so definitely worth doing as much as you can.

It starts Easter Monday I think. I don't get hungry on low carb really but I don't always eat enough and then I end up bingeing which I know is really common in 'dieting' so I need someone to tell me it's ok to eat more I think they say 10k steps a day (which I don't do) and weights of some kind three times a week but it's tailored to you and your specific goals/weight etc. I won't be able to afford to do it after the initial six weeks I don't think. I exercise three times a week as it is plus walks but I need it more tailored. I've been listening to their podcast and it talks so much sense, I've already upped my calories and am feeling much more positive.

Dh has come home with my favourite chocolate bar for himself and I really just want to eat the whole thing. No that he'd let me

Oh you won't regret them paper! Put them in the freezer as soon as you get them, they defrost really quickly.

Thank you so much PaperMonster. Everyone needs a rest day. I hope you enjoy your walk tomorrow. Do you know what the weather forecast is? I hope it's nice and warm and sunny for you. I hope you really enjoy the hot cross buns when they come!
Yes WreckTangled, dieting is so hard mentally isn't it? I'm so lucky, at the moment (And the first time in years.) I'm losing weight without 'dieting.' I keep telling myself I am not dieting, just changing my eating habits. If I want something sweet I suck a Worthers sugar free candy (Oh my poor teeth.). I have to remind myself, like I did today, that I feel so much better eating healthily and my anxiety is better for it too. Still can't help feeling, 'Am I slim yet?!' I have a lot to lose but I'm also seeing it as a marathon, not a sprint. If I lose a lb a week I will be happy. That would mean by Christmasish I would have lost around 32lbs.
Do you like exercise? You sound like you are doing very well already. I really hope you enjoy it all and reach your all goals. Oh yeah, and tell Dh off for teasing you like that!

Hmm not sure I would say I enjoy exercise, more than I enjoy how it makes me feel. I HATE cardio with a passion but kettlebell or dumbbells are more enjoyable. Plus cardio is obviously good for overall health but it's not necessary for weight loss. I think lots of people assume if they start running or cycling they'll suddenly lose loads of weight but it's all down to want you eat and things like that can make you more hungry. I suppose a mixture of strength and cardio is optimal but I mainly stick to waking and strength. That way when I do lose some body fat it'll reveal how ripped I am underneath 😂😂😂 I wish

Hi WreckTangled. I don't enjoy exercise either, I don't get that endorphin rush that other people do. I tell a lie, I had it once after working out on my new stepper (Gawd knows where it is now. )
I'm sure you shall be ripped in no time. I think it's said weightloss is 80% food, 20% exercise? I think as well, things like Myfitnesspal don't help there as they give you extra calories for exercise and you get tempted to eat them back!

@WreckTangled thanks for the freezer tip!

Lovely weather today for the walk - about a six mile circular route from my house. Beautiful views. Felt invigorated afterwards!

Yes I always ignore the extra calories it adds for exercise. I think it overestimates anyway. It all comes down to eating fewer calories doesn't it. I got some green yoghurt today will add some banana skinny syrup to it and it'll be like banana yoghurt without any sugar. High protein too. Yum.

6 miles?!

Hello PaperMonster, that walk sounds lovely. It's nice it made you feel good. Is it countryside or city views?
It all comes down to eating fewer calories doesn't it. I think so too. But, what is green yogurt?! I've never heard of it.
Is that The Skinny Food Co. syrup? I tried Maple, which is nice, now I'm on butterscotch which I find doesn't have much flavour, and tomorrow Chocolate fudge cake flavour is arriving. I'm looking forward to that one. :)

I meant Greek Yes it's the skinny syrup. Ds has it in his readybrek

Oh, I see. I wondered what green yogurt was, I was thinking maybe that kefur (Spl?) stuff?!
So the banana one is nice? My chocolate one came today, I'm looking forward to trying it. Have to use up all of the butterscotch first though.
Not looking forward to much to my walk today, it's cold! Still, I'm going to do it (Didn't do it yesterday, had a rest day.) anyway.

Yes it makes the yoghurt taste like banana angel delight. Yum.

I did my walk this morning, whilst listening to a fitness podcast about investing in yourself. Just did a 30 mins weights session too. Still can't hit 10k steps though

Oh, might try the banana one then. Well done with your walk and investment in yourself. Good job on the weights too! You'll get there with the steps. I'd try to not do to many new things at one go anyway, can get pretty overwhelming. I know how you feel though, you've committed so you'll do it and get cross with yourself when you can't. You're doing really well though. You can see your commitment.
I did do my walk today. I walked faster on my own so was more out of breath this time round. I was pleased with myself though as I took my mums front door key (Mine is crap and doesn't work properly.) and mobile and shut the door! I tried it once to make sure I could get in then went on my way. Had a few anxious thoughts but I tried to make myself look at nature (Lots of front gardens) instead and enjoy that. Did it. :D I'm going again tomorrow even though it's supposed to rain again. Then on Sunday am going to the local shop again with my mum.

Excellent! Have you considered headphones and music/podcast? I've been using dds headphones and they block out all the background noise so I'm all alone in my own world, although that might not be what you want

You know, I hadn't thought of that actually, thank you. Can I listen to a podcast on a mobile phone? Sorry I used to know what I was talking about with teck (Yeah, about 30 years ago! ), haven't got a clue now. (Seriously, I don't even know what Instagram is/is for.)

Yes you can! The headphones I use are Bluetooth but you can use any. I just Google xyz podcast and then click on the first podcast site that pops up (apple on mine) click on play and away it goes. I'm guessing it used data but I have loads of data so that's not an issue. The only thing was it made me jump when a runner came up behind me (because I didn't hear them) but mainly because I live very rurally and don't expect to see anyone!

Thank you. I shall have a good look at that. Ooh, spooky about the runner! I have some headphones I use on my tablet, I'll try those.
Do you have Sky? I ask because on Really on Monday nights they are rerunning Secret Eaters. I love that show. I also watch My 600lb Life a lot. And not related to weight, but they have also re-run Obsessive Compulsive Cleaners on a Wednesday at 10.00pm. Now all the need to bring back is How Clean Is Your House! Loved that show.

I don't have sky but I have now tv and they usually have the sky programmes on. I don't get to watch much tv as the dc always hog it and I'm always early to bed.

I'm 400 steps off of 10k so I'm going to walk around the house for a bit

I don't usually watch that much tv either, but lately have got into the habit of watching it at night, usually 9-10 or 11. I got into it as E! were repeating Revenge Body with khloé kardashian. (Another weight loss one. )
Good luck with the 400 steps, you can do it! Do you have a garden you could do a few laps of?