Diabetes, Hypertension, and COPD - announcing my goal to help me succeed

@Gordon‍,

Amazing! And thank you for sharing! Very happy to hear you were able to quit smoking years ago and even more happy to hear you have such a positive outlook with all the diagnosis. Having a supportive wife, I am sure, as you stated, helps tremendously!

It sounds like you are on your way to achieving your goal and what a better inspiration than to be around to watch your grandchildren grow up!

How has day 2 and day 3 been for your Nutristem meal plan? Are you adding any exercise into your plan also, such as walks or any of the sort?

Look forward to hearing from you and reading your updates.

@Gordon‍ you are an inspiration! Thank you for sharing your story with us. How much is this nutrisystem? Does it in entail anything else besides the diet?

I am interested in it. Hope to hear from you soon and good luck! Awesome outlook and story. COPD is not easy alone. plus with diabetes. Hope all is well.

@Lee__R 
Thank you for your comment.

With my COPD I am limited on the exercise. We walk the dog each morning and early evening to the tune of about 1 to 2 miles per day.  I have the exercise bike at home but no plans to use it until we move (long story).

Thanks again 

@copd_healing 

Regarding the Nutrisystem, its more than a diet.  Its a comprehensive meal plan with a change to the way I eat.  The initial cost for the additional Nutrisystem food is about 3-400 per month.  However, can stop the plan after the second month and make - eat food based upon their system.  

The biggest problem is portion control and eating 6 times per day!  Good news is that it is working.  First week dropped 7 pounds ( I expect to lose the rest over a few years) but the blood sugar change was immediate.  Went from and average of 190-200 mg/dL to 130-135 mg /dL IMMEDIATELY AND HOLDING!

I hope I answered all of the questions in the posts.  Not real good in these sites keeping comments and answers straight.  If I missed anything, please ask again.

@Gordon 1 to 2 miles per day, walking, is excellent! Better than none and at a stable rate that you can tolerate. They say 75% of the work in weight loss in diet anyways! Sounds like you are on the right path! Look forward to your updates.

@Gordon That is amazing! 7 pounds! Wow! So the Nutrisystem shows you and teaches you how to eat and you can order the food from them, but once you get the hang of it, you can start to make your own meals and not order theirs?

The food for 300 - 400 a month is for 6 small meals a day? Does not seem to badly priced if that is what I am understanding!

Congrats on losing the weight. I do not have diabetes (family member does), so not to up on what the blood sugar means, but heck sounds like you are happy about it, so the change must be a good one! Very happy for you! I need to learn more about diabetes so I can understand my family member better.

Was planning on commenting after one month, but just after one week things are going pretty well.  Today is the 7th day of the Nutrisystem (diet).  Weight is 280, down from 290 starting.  Blood sugar was averaging around 190 to 200 in September.  This morning, tested at 118.  The attached images illustrates the numbers.  Have been well over 120 for the last several years, bouncing up to 180-200, taking two type II Diabetes drugs daily.  To reiterate my initial concerns, I have an appointment with my Dr. this coming week and with the level over 190 he would place me on insulin.  

The home testing I do is the mg/dL column on the attached sheet.  When they take blood at the lab, they read the A1C level in the next column labeled mmol/L.  I was first put on the type II drugs when my A1C hit 7.  Type I treatment with insulin hits with A1C over 11 on the chart.

In commenting on the costs, yes the 3-400 per month for their food (plus whatever vegetables you may purchase is very reasonable.  I/we were spending that much per week at the market before.  

I fully understand that it took several years to pack on the additional weight and will take time and dedication to the new way of eating, more for nutrition and less for the pleasure.  My goal weight is 190 with normal blood sugar levels below 100 mg/dL.  I figure that If me of all people quit smoking after 40 years, changing the eating habits and dropping the weight will be achievable.  The next goal would be to attack the COPD head on, and work on keeping my blood O2 levels above 95...Thanks again for your comments of support.  I hope my words inspire others to live healthier lives and better cope with their medical concerns.

@Gordon that is amazing! so your blood glucose is basically in NORMAL ranges? This is attributed to this diet/lifestyle plan?

Congrats on losing 10 lbs! That is amazing. Keep at it. Let me know if the breathing becomes easier. You cannot beat that price. I am with you; we spend 100+ easily a week in food!

What are your plans to attack COPD head on? Maybe you are on to something better than I am aware of.

Its now been exactly two weeks, 14 days since starting the Nutrisystem Diet to work on the weight and eating habits. So happy to report that my weight is down 14 pounds and my blood sugar when measured before breakfast and before dinner tonight is NORMAL! Had my quarterly Dr. Visit yesterday and for the first time my Internist was happy, pleasant and encouraging. (Has been busting my chops for 10 years to lose weight.) Well not that I am retired, my wife is retired and we can support each other, this is working rather well. Getting used to a different way of eating is not that difficult (compared to quitting smoking) and the food is actually very tasty. Supplemented by other vegetables, fruit, proteins and carbs. We are actually saving money on the food budget. My Dr. had my blood tested again and I expect that my A1C level is back to normal or near normal. Once verified, I may get off at least one of the two Diabetes meds real soon. Next will be the blood pressure meds (currently taking three). Expect to eliminate two of those next quarterly visit to the Dr. As for the COPD, still status quo. Have two inhaler meds taken daily and the rescue inhaler when needed. Sleep with O2 every night. The O2 still drops below 90 if I don't use the generator. If/when I overexert myself during the day with any strenuous activities, the O2 drops down to about 80, so I limit my activity. While at the Dr. yesterday I peeked at my chart, the page documenting my first visit after the lung collapsed and I came out of the hospital 12 years ago. My weight then was 212 pounds, two weeks ago it was 290, and now its 276. My goal is back to 200 pounds with the this Nutrisystem lifestyle eating change. Knowing that quitting smoking was the most difficult lifestyle change ever, and when asked by friends how to do it, my advise was do it now, do it cold turkey and you will not have my regrets of not stopping sooner like me. So now I have the same message for those who are overweight with Type II Diabetes. Change your eating habits now, learn to eat better and healthier now. Don't regret later what you could have done now. I know that I can do this, since I beat tobacco. You can too!   Thank you for listening.

Regarding your question on my plans to attack COPD, stay tuned.  Once I am through this with the Diabetes, Hypertension and Weight Loss, attacking the COPD  is next.