Hi mrshookano... I was diagnosed with prediabetes back in February (well, re-diagnosed I should say), and I know it's a lot to take in. A good rule of thumb is to start small, making small changes and then gradually stepping up your game. Maybe start with the healthy eating, maybe some walking, then taking it up a notch. It definitely takes time to make lasting changes. Also I've found a lot of good diabetic cookbooks and websites that have some pretty tasty recipes, and they list complete nutrition. I really wish you the best of luck, it's not easy, but it helps to remember that the way diabetics have to eat is really the way that everyone should eat. Same goes for the lifestyle. Take care :-)

OK first off take a deep breath and relax, you can do this, start out baby steps as Red says, do a healthy diet - no fried foods, no white breads, pasta, rice and potatoes. These items will hold the numbers up higher and longer. Learn portion control. Keep a food diary to see what you are eating, or check out sites like Lose it which has a great food data base.

thank you both so much i dont really know as much as i think i do about diabetes and the only person ive ever known passed away about 1 1/2 ago due to complications during foot surgery from his diabetes so when i found out i was completely freaked out. this past week i have started working out again but this time slower :) also ive made smaller changes but it is truly hard to give up the sweets and rice! any advice on how to cure the sweet tooth?? again thank you again Red and Mzisgayle

It is a lot to take in and can be scary. I agree with mzizgayle, take a deep breath and relax.

Keep in mind that following a healthy diet does not mean swearing off all sweets, fried foods, white breads, pasta, rice, potatoes, etc. It simply means that you need to be aware of portion sizes and how many servings of the less healthy foods you consume in one meal. For example, you know you want a small piece of cake after dinner. In that case it would be wise to not pair that desert with a big baked potato and fried chicken but it would be fine to have grilled chicken breast with a small amount of baked potato (say 1/2 a medium one) along with a steamed vegetable and a salad. Plenty of food to fill you up and a bit of a sweet to satisfy you. The extra fiber in the vegetable, salad and potato and the fat from the chicken and any potato toppings (within reason) will help slow how fast the simple carbs from the cake hit your blood stream as long as you consume them reasonably close together.

Portion control and balanced meals are really important! For example rice. A serving size is generally 1/2 cup cooked white rice is a serving. Most of us will easily consume 1 cup of cooked rice without realizing that we are actually eating 2 servings. Use your measuring cups or a food scale to learn what serving sizes really are. If the serving size is not on the package you purchased it in just google what a serving size is of the food you want to eat. This can help a lot. Also try to make sure you are getting fiber, protein and fat anytime you eat to help slow the carbohydrate hitting your blood stream.

Exercise does not have to be a really formal workout plan either. Park you car towards the back of the parking lot at work or the store so you walk a little farther. Take a five minute walk after each meal. Little things can add up in a hurry without making you feel like all you are doing is working out or causing you to over do it and have sore muscles the next day.

As for curing a sweet tooth I have found that, for me, eating more healthy and balanced meals has lessened it. I do eat some sweets when I want to so I don't feel deprived but I find I am not craving them like I once did. I think this has to do with giving my body the nutrients it needs as opposed to empty calories that burn too quickly leaving me wanting more.~Lori

Just start over! This happens to me all the time. Diabetes is a long term problem- think about your internal organs and how you are prolonging their health by eating right, exercising and taking your medicine. I stopped taking my metformin and ended up in the hospital. Now I'm watching what I eat, taking my rx and exercising. I will try to at least maintain my weight if not lose those few pounds. Try to stay focused but positive. Many people have this disease so finding someone who you can buddy up with might help! :)

If interested, give a below 4 steps a try. You loose nothing by trying but it may change your life. Don’t change your life style and the food you eat but simply follow the eating habit.

1. eat when you are hungry
2. don’t drink liquid 30 mins before and after and during the meal
3. chew the food 25 times or more.
4. stop eating the food after 1st Burp

Assessment: Measure your glucose one day and then follow the above 4 steps till next day and measure your glucose. You would see significant reduction in your glucose without any change in food. If you follow them for a month or two, it will keep improve your diabetic levels and most probably could able to cure type II diabetics gradually.

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Much information and I'll be there