Welcome to the club. Like you, I've been ovwerweight all my life. Add to that, I'm a smoker. Add to that, I've had bypass surgery. Do I blame myself? You bet!

I know what you're saying. I recently took a nutrition class for new diabetics and I was the ONLY one over weight. There was a fireman, an EMS tech., a construction worker... all men, none over weight at all. Weight may trigger it, but it's not a requirement. Lots of things contribute to this, so don't kick yourself for it. Learn to control it, exercise and eat right and you should be OK living with diabetes. Keep in touch with this group, you'll find help, tips and support here!

yeah alot of people feel that weight is a factor but not always.I too have been overweight my whole life and was diagnosed at age 19 but my doctor told me that since it runs so strong in my family that i had a vary high chance of getting it. He feels that if i lost weight i may be able to lower my meds but that i will never be off them completely. So dont be so hard on yourself just try to stay as healthy as you can and everything will be ok.

Everyone's different. I've been thin my whole life but put on 25 lbs -- still in my supposedly ideal weight range -- and got diagnosed with diabetes at 30. And yet plenty of supposedly obese people do NOT have diabetes.

Blaming yourself isn't productive. To lose that wretched weight, cut all the meat, eggs and dairy out of your diet and reduce the fat grams to 2g per serving of everything. You can lose weight that way w/o even exercising although chances are exercising is a good idea in your condition.

I say this like a broken record but here I go again: buy a copy of "Dr. Neal Barnard's Plan For Reversing Diabetes" and use that regime (what I just outlined above).

It also explains in there why there is no point in kicking yourself. Certain foods cause cravings. Nobody tells you that, not even your diabetes doctor.

I try to stay out of the blaming game. It takes me down real fast and then I'm afraid of a sabotage. I try to look at how much I've lost, weigh wise, since I changed my eating habits. I had changed my eating habits one week before I found out I had diabetes. Yeah, I was bummed for a minute. But that is all I could allow myself. Try to look where you are now, that you are going to WW and trying to lose weight. I'm on a weight reduction plan, counting calories and carbs, my doctor put me on it. 6 1/2 weeks later, I'm doing great. I have tons of weight to lose, but I really don't look at that, I look at the weight I've already lost. Please be nice to yourself. It's going to be okay.

I have never been overweight, I am type2, my wife was overweight after she lost the weight her levels have been great. we're not sure what caused mine,i been told it coulda been alota beer,bad sleeping habits, too much sugar when i was younger, or hereditary, DAd n his sister have type 2 also

I do sympathise with you, moonbeam - it is a long road to lose a lot of weight..baby steps maybe - better than nothing. I need to lose A LOT of weight *sigh*....have lost l and a half stone in about 18 months so not very good..!!!! but at least it is going the right way, about half a pound a week! I think exercise helps but I am not sure how much exercise? have difficulty with some exercise but can walk ------- hugs and lots of good luck to you and strength to forward, as with me...Cathrynn X

Yep, I have been overweight all my life and no matter what the family tired it stayed that way. I still have no success getting that stuff to shift off. But I continue to try, at least most of the time.lol. My mum was too, it's in the genes, she is diabetic. My sister in law is overweight - she is also diabetic. My aunties were all on the large side and we think that quite a few were undiagnosed diabetics (going back to the early 1900's). But friends of ours are thin and one is diabetic and the other is pre. There is no real rule even though there is an add on TV here now saying that if you waist is 100cms then you are at risk. No - everyone is at risk. Diabetes, like cancer and all the other chronic diseases, does not discriminate.
Yes, you will feel depressed when you first realize you have (or could have) it, but that will pass and if you can get a positive attitude that will certainly help.

I have struggled with my weight since 11 years old. So don't be so hard on yourself. Yes we do need to take control and not let eating or diabetes control us.

1. See a dietitian and follow their advice, I don't agree with a vegan diet its good only for detoxing.
2. Also see an endocrinologist they deal with diabetes.
3. It is diet, diet, diet and exercise as the endocrinologist told me. He tweaked my meds and I have now lost 25 pounds.
4. Also do some supplements: B12, Chromium, Bitter Melon, Cinnamon and a good vitamin.
5. Its all about learning what not to do.
6. I find an apples helps with cravings.
7. And don't beat your self up take one day at a time. If you fall down today get back up tomorrow and don't give up!
8. Find a local support group through your hospital. We need people in the flesh not just DS.

plz read my journal of 9/7/07 & you may get some good ideas on how to battle this crap There's only 1 winner in this fight. the fact ur losing weight will help a lot keep it going
God Bless, chip

I am here because my husband is Type II. He is 6'5", WAS 335lbs, but has lost down to 305 and continuing to shed the pounds. Great. He has controlled his high cholesterol with Vitorin, about the only person I know in the world who does not suffer from Statin Muscle pains.
He does have Neuropathy of both legs and had dealt with many problems from it over the past six years.
His triglycerides aer high and he hates salads. He was recently diagnosed with a slight heart issue, and takes meds for it.
I just worry about his neuropathy and how it concerns him as well.