Meet the old Dick.
I am writing this narrative for my husband. My husband has been a type 2 diabetic for over 30 years. He saw his doctors faithfully every 3 months, took his medications, watched what he ate (except no one told him what to watch), and tried to exercise.
11 years ago he was put on insulin. First 5 units and then about a year and a half later he was talking 43 units. His weight ballooned to 280 pounds. The neuropathy in both his feet that he was suffering from intensified. He now could not walk over 75 feet. In 2002 I told my grown children that in 6 months I would be pushing dad around in a wheelchair. He had profuse night sweats due to hypoglycemic episodes (we did not know what was causing this at that time), he was irritable, depressed and always tired. He fell asleep while driving once and hit the concrete barrier in the middle of the freeway. He did nothing around the house except work the remote control for the TV.
I read Dr. Bernstein's book, "Diabetes Solution" and could not believe my eyes. I told my husband about how I could help him but had to wait until he accepted responsibility for this illness. Not blame but responsibility. He needed to know that it was his disease and he was in charge of it. About 6 months later, he told me he was ready. Our lives changed dramatically! Within 3 months he was completely off of insulin, within 9 months he lost 80 pounds, the profuse night sweats were gone, the irritability and depression were replaced with a love of life. Neuropathy was eliminated! He has been in two 5K races and finished (walking, of course). He walks at our gym 3 times a week and usually does 2 miles each time. He is back to being the man I married.
Friends and family could not believe the change! They also could not believe that low carb is what did it. I set out on a quest to prove that the low carb way of life is the best.
I read Gary Taubes book, "Good Calories, Bad Calories" and was ecstatic! Here it was in black and white - proof that low carb is the right way of life not only for diabetics but for all of us. No one would believe me.
I read Jonny Bowden's book, "Living the Low Carb Life" more proof. Then Gary Taubes came out with his book that I call the book for the layman to understand why and how low carb is best, "Why We Get Fat and What To Do About It" there is no question that for my husband and I the research of these scholars coupled with our own experiences is proof that low carb saves lives and helps everyone live a better life.
We had the pleasure of meeting and hearing Mr. Taubes at a lecture that he gave at The Ohio State University last April. He is inspiring and speaks from research and with tremendous knowledge.
My husband and I put together a program to help other diabetics understand that they have control over diabetes and how we beat diabetes.
Thank you, Gary Taubes, Dr. Bernstein and Jonny Bowden. You saved our lives!!!!
What was the biggest challenge to adopting a carbohydrate-restricted or paleo diet?
We had to give up the middle European foods we loved. As the cook, I had to give up cooking the meals that I had perfected in over 40 years of marriage. It's been over 9 years now that I had to change my way of cooking and eliminate my baking. I miss it but would much rather have the husband that I have than anything else!
What advice (if any) would you give to someone interested in trying a carbohydrate-restricted or paleo diet? Were there any obstacles that you overcame that could help future dieters?
Decide that your weight is YOUR responsibility and no one else.
Clean up your environment. Dispose of all carb laden foods and junk foods. You can't eat what is not in the house.
Stay active. Watch TV only in the evening when you finally sit down to rest. Then do it for only 2 hours. Some people equate TV with eating.
Keep cheeses, hard boiled eggs, lunch meats, etc. on hand for quick meals or for the occasional snack.
Plan your meals. We have a breakfast tray in our refrigerator. On it are eggs, butter, bacon and/or sausages, strawberries and blueberries. We set the table the night before, make sure our frying pans are out and ready and the coffee pot is set to go. After we get home from the gym, we have no problem making a great low carb breakfast. Eat lots of green leafy veggies. " If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail" Benjamin Franklin?
We had to give up the middle European foods we loved. As the cook, I had to give up cooking the meals that I had perfected in over 40 years of marriage. It's been over 9 years now that I had to change my way of cooking and eliminate my baking. I miss it but would much rather have the husband that I have than anything else!
What advice (if any) would you give to someone interested in trying a carbohydrate-restricted or paleo diet? Were there any obstacles that you overcame that could help future dieters?
Decide that your weight is YOUR responsibility and no one else.
Clean up your environment. Dispose of all carb laden foods and junk foods. You can't eat what is not in the house.
Stay active. Watch TV only in the evening when you finally sit down to rest. Then do it for only 2 hours. Some people equate TV with eating.
Keep cheeses, hard boiled eggs, lunch meats, etc. on hand for quick meals or for the occasional snack.
Plan your meals. We have a breakfast tray in our refrigerator. On it are eggs, butter, bacon and/or sausages, strawberries and blueberries. We set the table the night before, make sure our frying pans are out and ready and the coffee pot is set to go. After we get home from the gym, we have no problem making a great low carb breakfast. Eat lots of green leafy veggies. " If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail" Benjamin Franklin?
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Tried a paleo or low carb diet? Join Today and contribute to a better understanding of this way of eating!
View our Marketplace of paleo and low carb experts that compete against eachother to help you lose weight and get healthy!
