I've just read a post I wrote in April 2008, three months after I was diagnosed with diabetes. At the time I was really proud of myself for having changed my diet and lost a lot of weight.
Today I got the results of my six monthly blood tests and this time I feel ashamed of myself. I suppose I knew before I walked into the clinic what the nurse was going to tell me.
Willpower is a very odd thing. I know I can change my diet and lose weight, but it is so easy to relapse and think that the odd treat won't do much harm. Well this morning I was told in no uncertain terms that a treat is something you have once a week, not every day!
I know I've got to change my ways and what the consequences are if I don't.
So if you ever see me eating or drinking something you know I shouldn't, you have my full permission to remove the Mars Bar from my gob, or tip that Orange Fanta down the sink. Make me feel ashamed. Make me feel humiliated. It's the only option!
Iain Dale said: "Make me feel ashamed. Make me feel humiliated. It's the only option!"
ReplyDeleteErm... unusual request Iain, but I'm happy to comply. I'm in a particularly sadistic mood today, even more so than my name suggests. If your readers want to see how your figure has changed, take a look at this picture of Iain Dale back in 1985 and compare with what he looks like on his numerous media appearances today.
Those long lunches are clearly having an effect on you. ;-)
eat fruit. cherries. peaches. mangoes. they taste better anyway. just there's no one advertising them.
ReplyDeleteWeight loss is an awful thing to keep up - lifestyle change is a difficult thing to achieve since it's very easy to get back into old ways. I can empathise! I lost 3 stones two years ago and put 1 back on over this last year - then lost it again.
ReplyDeleteThe worst thing for you potentially is yo-yo dieting. Willpower is indeed a very odd thing and can come in fits and starts; for example, I have been smokefree for 11 months. At one point I never thought that would be possible. But you never quit for life - I live in constant fear of a relapse.
Don't worry about it too much though, Iain. We're only here once.
You should check out the diabetic choccie in Boots Iain. That's always a good option. And also you should have no added sugar squash. I've had that for years and i'm not diabetic!
ReplyDeleteIain, read this - Bryan Appleyard's treatise on common sense dieting. It worked for me too.
ReplyDeletehttp://women.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/women/diet_and_fitness/article4523487.ece
Humiliation is not the key. But you know the score, if your blood sugar is high then you feel crap. It's far easier to refuse the mars bar because otherwise you will feel crap the rest of the day (in spite of the brief pleasure you'll get while eating it).
ReplyDeleteI've been type 1 since I was 11 (35 years ago) and gone through this before (too many times). But losing the sight in my right eye due to poor diabetes control the week before I was to give the most important speech in my career, was certainly a wake up call. I managed the speech, and a skilled NHS surgeon restored my sight, but since then I have had a real incentive to be careful.
You can indulge occasionally, just don't do it often. Anyway the more infrequent the indulgence, the more delightful it is :-)
Mars bars are good for you - didn't you know ... ?
ReplyDeletehttp://fxbites.blogspot.com/2010/07/tomorrow-and-tomorrow-and-tomorrow.html
Iain, try the slimming world diet. You spend most of your time on it eating, and the food's great. My mum's been on it since September and lost about 4 stone already. She's a type 2 diabetic and managed to get her very high figures down to a normal level on this diet.
ReplyDeleteI'd really recommend it, and there's no burdensome calorie-counting. Oh, and you can eat chips!
You could humiliate yourself by running down Whitehall naked...
ReplyDeleteHed Johnston said "You could humiliate yourself by running down Whitehall naked..."
ReplyDeleteAh yes, I remember this little promise that you made, Iain. Has the date been scheduled yet? Have the media been informed of this date? Something to talk about on your evening radio show, if nothing else.
Or did you neglect to mention that it was a politician's promise - i.e. not a real promise?
Dale! Put down that cake!
ReplyDeletePrint this off and tape to laptop
The masochist said feed me tit-bits of nice joy.
ReplyDeleteThe sadist said eat your diet and be happy.
You need to increase your exercise output a little and eat a little less. Don't go all out to lose huge amounts of weight because it never works. Can't you take Gio on long walks in Dunorlan Park?
ReplyDeleteBuy a bicycle to use at weekends?
Was thinking for the minute you'd joined the LibDems, on account of the headline....
ReplyDelete(Oh, I suppose saying that complies with your request, too). Two birds, one stone.
If you were to consider that the quality of your blogging might be inversely related to your body weight (and there is, at the very least, anecdotal evidence for this), it might provide some incentive.
ReplyDeleteExercise is the only answer. I have lost 32 pounds in 10 months and I have the occasional treat. I know you'd rather have a thousand paper cuts on your face but there you go.
ReplyDeleteMy brother in law did not manage his diabetes and he has lost an eye and needs kidney dialysis. My husband manages his and he's is fairly unscathed.
Tapestry and Richard Blogger have some sound points.
ReplyDeleteI'd suggest three pointers, none of them really radical.
One, if you're inclined to the occasional snack, substitute fresh fruit for sweets. Once you're in the routine of visiting the market stall or that part of the supermarket, you'll be surprised how you settle into it. If you're a frequent snacker, try something like grapes. Seriously.
Two, aim to do a set amount of walking every day: I reckon on five miles, even though on some days I don't manage it. Like the Colemanballs entry says, don't make it a target, but it's something to aim for.
Three, partly tied up with two, cut down on the amount of car usage. I know it can be difficult if you live out of town, and it could compromise your schedule, but ultimately you will have to make some life versus lifestyle choices. Along with that, when on holiday, do not hire a car. I've stuck with this for years (car right now is parked out the back) and there is, for you personally, another benefit: you're not driving, the rozzers can't give you another ticket.
I'm aware that I disagree with a lot of what you write - and I'd like to be able to keep on disagreeing with you for many yers to come.
Hey, wv=eprable, so there you are. Not quite loaves and fishes, mind.
Print out a full face photo of Baron Prescott of Pies and stick it on a mirror. It fools your subconscious into believing you have eaten enough. I've lost 6 stone in 3 weeks and also the ability to sleep without ketamine.
ReplyDeleteIain, get your mate Stains to put an article about you on order-order; if you want some REAL humiliation.
ReplyDeleteIf you're really into humiliation, I could let you have a certain Lady's private number, discretion guaranteed, all preferences denied, you know the kind of thing...
ReplyDeleteLet me know if you're interested! She's wicked - She made me wear an England Football shirt all day!
"Make me feel humiliated"
ReplyDeleteDidn't quite realise you were into that kind of thing, but do we really have to have that kind of smutty talk here?
Iain, I was diagnosed Type 2 last month. I thought the lifestyle change would be really difficult, but what has made it easier is thinking about the consequences of not sticking to it.
ReplyDeleteThe very thought of diabetic retinopathy, blood vessels failing in the kidneys, damage to the heart and the effects of nerve damage to feet and lower legs, etc, is enough to keep me on track. Ask yourself how your career would be affected by loss of eyesight every time you think of reaching for the sweet counter.
Checking foods for sugar content has become second nature as a result. Coke has been replaced with Sprite Zero. Salt has been chopped to keep blood pressure down. Staying away from chocolates and treats gets much easier after the first week.
Seriously Iain, try thinking of your diabetes management as a business task. You know you sometimes need to make hard choices to get results and controlling diabetes is the same.
Good luck with it. Drop me a line if you want a bit of encouragment.
Don't blame me, I've tried... you great lump of lard!
ReplyDeleteDon't forget the wages of sin have always to be paid. The link describes how I paid them, and believe me, you don't to have to do this yourself.
ReplyDeleteDon't eat diabetic chocolate as suggested - it will probably give you the runs.
ReplyDeleteFruit is one of the last things he should have, he is diabetic.
ReplyDeleteFruit is full of sugar, carbs.
Also, avoid the sugar free drinks, full of aspartame and asulfamine K.
Good drinks: water, sparkling water, tea, coffee, cream.
To eat: Meat, animal fat.
Nutrients: Vit D, Vit E, Acetyl-L-Carnitine, Alpha Lipoic Acid, CoQ10, Benfotiamine, P-5-P, Magnesium, N-Acetyl-Cysteine, Lutein+Zeaxanthin, L-Carnosine, Resveratrol
To find out more:
http://www.second-opinions.co.uk/diabetes_index.html
iain, when I saw the title of your post, my first thought was, "OOH MATRON!"
ReplyDeleteread tonights norwich evening news if you want inspiration. if this man can do it so can you. regards alex.
ReplyDeleteIain! Uncontrolled diabetes is a sadistic killer because it does it to you s-l-o-w-l-y. Geddit? You might start having eye trouble first. Diabetic retinopathy. Nasty little haemorrhages they can laser off for a while, provided you start looking after yourself.
ReplyDeletePerhaps it will be your peripheral circulation next. Foot trouble. Gangrene setting in, amputations - thats after the weeping leg ulcers. Think I'm kidding? I've seen it all during my 47 years in the NHS.
Hows your blood pressure? Lots of suger in the blood makes it go all thick and sticky. Much harder to get around, so anywhere with little blood vessels get jammed up. Kidneys - heart - even willies. Its easier to get infections as well. Sugar is such a good growing medium for bugs.
Still listening? Thought not. So many folk with diabetes live in denial. Fingers in ears. This wont happen to me. But it will Iain. Why should you be any different to any other uncooperative diabetic?? Might take time, but it will get you. The only good diabetic is an obsessive. Regular checking of the blood glucose with the home kit the clinic has provided. Very good dietary discipline. Get a good podiatrist, and never try cutting your own toenails. Regular eye checks. Never miss your clinic appointments. I might sound harsh, but you did ask. When I catch up with you at Birmingham I expect to see a reformed Dale who now realises he has a serious possibly life threatening condition. You are far too good an egg to go under with this.
Regards, Mother Hen - Health Visitor Retd.
Brilliant post from Annabel. She's right, Iain! I know - my mother was a type 2 Diabetic. She controlled it well enough but let things slide towards the end and eventually got kidney failure. It's really hard to stop eating naughty things - believe me I know! As Annabel says though, you are far too good an egg....
ReplyDeleteDiabetes sufferers tend to lack potassium and magnesium, largely due to processed foods and 'modern' farming methods.
ReplyDeleteWhile vegetable plants will grow with soil deficiencies (just as humans do with nutrient deficiencies), the produce of those plants will lack nutrients. Garbage in, garbage out.
Why not grow your own, hydroponically? Failing that, you could help yourself by buying organically grown superfoods.
Ha ha ha ha ha,
ReplyDeletePerhaps this explains why most MP's are struggling with IPSA. They were warned that troughing to excess was bad for them, The Telegraph made it quite clear, sadly they ignored it. In comes big nursey with the big needle and still they can't conform.
I know I've got to change my ways and what the consequences are if I don't.
You were told about these consequences what, 2 years ago, but you refused to accept them. You continued to ignore the advice and stuff your face. Same goes for the politicians. You know, those ones you defended. They were warned to curb their excesses but they couldn't. Thus IPSA was created, by them no less, and now they bitch that Nursey doesn't understand their needs.
Mummy x
Iain
ReplyDeleteSome good advice on this thread, some bad. I'll just add three points:
1 - Put it in perspective; 2 years is short term when you are dealing with a 30-40 year condition. It sounds as though you need a "refresher" to set you up for the long haul.
Try asking your nurse if she can get you on something - there are courses such as DESMOND run via the NHS which are very good now.
2 - Diabetic chocolate? No - get high quality stuff (more cocoa, less sugar) and eat a smaller amount.
3 - If you want a target to work towards Diabetes UK have a fundraising "bridges of London" 8 mile walk in the autumn.
You are in a position to push the event better than most of us.
Here's a challenge: get Prezza to do it with you :-)
Iain, as always you're in tune with the zeitgeist...
ReplyDeletehttp://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/culture/harrymount/100045398/the-government-is-right-to-call-fat-people-fat-and-thick-children-thick/
eat rice. rice fills the tummy so you don't need to snack. as a snack itself, keep cold rice in the ref and tasty add-ons to make it nice to eat.
ReplyDeletebuy a rice cooker. argos £5-10. best investment you'll ever make.
Surely the knowledge that blindness,amputation and other health problems await those who overindulge should be enough of a spur.
ReplyDeletePlease avoid rice, as recommended elsewhere, I'm sure well meaningly.
ReplyDeleteRice is very starchy, i.e. sugar.
Might be fine for non diabetics, but blood sugar control is the issue here.
A low carb diet is best, carbohydrates are nothing more than chains of sugar. Lick a potato, doesn't taste sweet, but that is what it turns into inside the body.
The trouble is many diabetes doctors, nurses, and nutritionists know NOTHING about what you should really eat, they often accelerate the disease through ignorance.
Good food: Meat, animal fat, cream, leafy vegetables, nuts (brazil nuts and walnuts are super low carb).
http://www.second-opinions.co.uk/low-carb_index.html
http://www.second-opinions.co.uk/healthy-eating_index.html
As Matt Wardman says there's some good and bad advice here.
ReplyDeletePut simply diabetes means that the body's natural regulation of blood sugar is faulty. In my case (type 1) it does not work at all and I have to inject insulin, in most type 2 diabetics their bodies' produce some, but not enough, insulin and take pills to make it more effective.
The three aspects of insulin - carbs - exercise is not in balance. The key (and I am as guilty as anyone on this) is to test blood glucose regularly and make adjustments to your medication, your carbs or your exercise.
The last time I had diabetic chocolate was about the beginning of the last Tory government when the Iron Lady took over. Horrible, disgusting stuff with a laxative effect. Matt is right by good quality, expensive high cocoa chocolate. It tastes much better and you don't need to eat much. Mars bars are not chocolate anyway, they are chocolate flavoured lumps of hydrogenated vegetable oil.
Don't be obsessive about the GI diet either. It's not as accurate as the authors claim it to be (for example, they cannot decide the GI for carrots at all, and the highest GI is not for pure glucose but dried dates, orange juice - that raises my blood glucose immediately - has a middling GI, none of these make sense). Stick to complex carbohydrates, wholemeal grains, brown rice. Fruits have fructose a simple carb which is not good. But be sensible, as long as your main source of carbs is from complex carbs then you can have a treat with simple one.
@Annabel Herriott
Thanks for reminding me of my mortality. :-( But you are right, the facts are nasty.
I read a paper that said that my type 1 diabetes will take 15 years off my life, and since life expectancy for men is about 80 that will mean that I am unlikely to see the benefit of my pension contributions, and now Boy George is intending to make the state pension further out of my grasp too...
I have also had to make significant changes to my diet - in my case because of damage to my insides caused by radiotherapy treatment for cancer. I know how hard it is.
ReplyDeleteThe single most important change for me has been starting to eat a proper, large breakfast. For years I never ate breakfast at all. I've been amazed at how long the "full from breakfast" effect lasts and how much it reduces the urge to snack.
Recently I discovered the World's Healthiest Foods website which combines science based nutritional advice with some tasty recipes. Don't be put off by your initial impressions of how the website and its author look - mine were negative. The advice is excellent. The page on Type 2 Diabetes is here: http://bit.ly/diJHnb
By the way, avoid Soya, not good for you at all.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.second-opinions.co.uk/no-joy.html
http://www.soyonlineservice.co.nz/
I started eating low-carb six years ago, soon lost three stone and have kept it off, never felt hungry, never counted a calorie, and although I do a lot of exercise now, I didn't start that until after I had lost most of the excess weight. It has not been at all hard to stick to low-carb, I did have a few weeks when I had to be disciplined to stick to new habits rather than revert to old ones - wine instead of beer, nuts instead of sweets, 10 grams of 85% chocolate instead of 50 grams of 30%, omlette instead of toast for breakfast, cabbage with my curry instead of rice, salad for lunch instead of sandwiches etc. Now I don't recognise a lot of the things people at as being food, so I don't feel any craving for it.
ReplyDeleteBest of luck.