I have previously discussed the initial part of my Type 2 Diabetic condition as well as the progress during the first couple of years.  Here are links to these past postings:

Diabetic Shadow Arrives

Diabetic Shadow Persists

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Here is the final update about my progress with Type 2 Diabetes.  As discussed earlier, I was diagnosed with this condition in February, 2016.

As of January, 2019, I am no longer considered pre-diabetic (based upon my last three A1C tests).  Here are all of my lab tests from 2014 through 2018, with the final three tests highlighted in bold text.

I have made substantial progress in improving my critical numbers dealing with A1C, Cholesterol, HDL, and LDL.   I hope to see improved numbers for Cholesterol and LDL at my next set of lab tests (to be taken in early 2020).

What has led to this positive new direction in my health?  These three key points lead the way.

• New Commitment
• Lifestyle Changes
• Positive Attitude

I have made a new commitment to improve my health.

• Make my health a top priority
• Exercise at least six days per week (walking or indoor biking)
• Eat healthy (reduce sugar and monitor carbs)

A daily exercise regime is scheduled for at least six days per week.  I take a brisk one-hour walk for about four miles (sometimes longer) in the morning.   When the weather keeps me inside, I crush carbs on my indoor bike as I cover about 6.5 miles in 20 minutes.

An updated and healthy lifestyle now reflects major changes that have significantly improved my health.

• Make my commitments part of a daily routine
• Keep a log of my daily carbs consumption (make myself accountable)
• Understand this lifestyle change is permanent

Here is a sample of the journal used each day to track my carbs.  Even though my numbers have improved, I still fill this out daily to hold myself accountable.

With greater scrutiny, I pay a great deal of attention to labels on anything that I eat.  Two nutritional facts are always front and center:  sugar content and amount of carbs.  Instead of sugar-based snacks, most of mine are low in sugar and carbs:  cheese and nuts.  Stevia is my coffee sweetener, which is one of the healthiest ones around.

I have a well-documented chocolate addiction, which is under control.  Sometimes certain recipes offer a healthy alternative such as one I use for Carbs Bomb (chocolate and peanut butter cups).  Here is a link to the previously published recipe:  Carbs Bomb.

I try to maintain a positive attitude about my health.

• Using humor to keep my mind balanced and inspired
• Be willing to talk and write about my health
• Share what I have learned with others

I am truly thankful for my improved health.  I am blessed to have received a wake-up call from my doctor, and my family has encouraged me to tackle this challenge.  I intend to be around for many years to come.

Several readers have offered prayers, and I appreciate each of you.  If you are praying, include all people afflicted with any form of Diabetes.  They all need our thoughts and encouragement.

Here is the second part of the discussion about my diabetic shadow.  I appreciated the many comments from readers after posting the initial discussion.  In case you missed the first part, here is the link to it: 

Diabetic Shadow Arrives

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In the previous discussion about my struggle with Type 2 Diabetes, I really was not committed to taking charge of my health and making the necessary adjustments in my lifestyle.  Once again, here are my previous lab results:

After my February, 2016 test results, my doctor began prescribing a cocktail of medications to address my condition.  He was concerned that future complications could carry the risk of a major life-changing event.

My medications included:

• Metformin (500 mg): Control blood glucose
• Atorvastatin (20 mg): Control cholesterol
• Lisinopril (5 mg): Control blood pressure

I was dedicated to taking these medications as prescribed.  However, the rest of my lifestyle wasn’t making other necessary changes.

I was missing two key elements in following a much healthier lifestyle.

• Proper exercise
• Healthy eating

I was making adjustments in my eating plan, but I wasn’t “all in” with what I needed to be doing.  I was still consuming too much sugar as well as not significantly cutting down on my level of carbohydrates.  Exercise continued to be pretty much the same as before—little or nothing.

My new lab results over the next 12 months showed some improvement, but not the breakthrough my doctor and I were looking for.  As he told me,  “sugar is poison” in your body.

While my overall cholesterol was improving significantly, the other numbers told a different story.  The most glaring disappointment in these numbers was the drop in my good cholesterol (HDL) and the increase in my A1C.

The coming months were going to require a change in attitude about bringing my diabetic condition under control.  In an upcoming final post, I will address how these numbers would change for the better.