I woke up at two a.m. from pressure in my sinuses. It took me an hour to fall asleep only to wake up at four fifteen to start my day. After walking the dog, I went to make my breakfast, shower, and dress. It was an important day for me.

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Today I was going to my children’s high school to speak to the kids in the music program to present them the opportunity to apply for the Thomas Misleh Memorial Music Scholarship. The new band director asked me to come to four of his classes. For the past nine years I went to the last band class of the day.

This was going to cut into my work schedule drastically. Thankfully, being a Friday, we do not see patients, therefore, I could come and go as I please and make my own hours. I knew I would not get much done today, though.

On my way to the high school, my car started acting up as if it was about to stall. I immediately called my dealer, which was halfway between the school and my home. They took my car, which meant I was going to miss the first class I was supposed to address.

I made it to my mom’s house (thanks to my brother), borrowed her car, and proceeded to the school to speak to the children. Once I got there, I started to tell the children about my son, Tommy. I had brought a framed picture of him in his tuxedo, which was standard dress for band concerts. I wanted the children to relate to my son.

I told them how my son, who was student director for two years, had come to need a heart transplant. I shared with them how the kids from band would bring music for him to arrange. He arranged the music from his bed in the intensive care unit.

I told them how much my son loved music, how he played in seven bands at once, how his high school band, his own band, and the college band he was asked to join had all played at the Coronado Jazz Festival, and how all three bands took first place that year in their respective categories.

I addressed the children two more times that day. When I finished with the last presentation, I thanked the teacher and the kids for allowing me to speak to them. As I left the classroom and made my way back to the parking lot to my mother’s car, tears began to stream down my cheeks. It is always so hard to do these presentations. I miss my son.

I got my car back and went home. Ghosts from the past stayed with me the rest of the day. The memories of the past before Tommy had died, and the memories of my other children, now grown with families of their own, flooded my mind and my heart.

All I wanted to do was eat. I did. I went home and made my lunch. Dinner was delicious too. I was grateful it was a “legal cheat” day. I ate well and healthy, but I allowed myself a few small indulgences. I walked away at the end of the day feeling better than when I awoke in the morning. I knew I would be able to get right back to my program created by Aaron with NewDiabetesRx. Most important, I knew my mindset was really changing.

Although, as I write this, the pain in my heart for the loss of my son feels so fresh right now, and I did turn to food to help me through, I still did not blow my program. I used my program to help me through a tough day without destroying my efforts.

There will be times that seem overwhelming, even painful. We may need a “comfort food fix”. Isn’t it nice to know we can have our “fix” and keep it under control? Knowing I can face a day like the one I had today and still walk away feeling like a success is comforting. We are in control of our health. The responsibility is ours and ours alone to not over eat and destroy our bodies. Until we meet again, this is Linda Misleh Wagner, Future Former Fatty.

Linda Misleh Wagner, A Woman On A Mission To Change Her Life

After having gastric bypass surgery in 2007, Linda Misleh Wagner lost 240 pounds, only to gain nearly half of it back. Prior to surgery, Linda was diabetic. Fearful for its return, she sought NewDiabetesRx founder Aaron Snyder. Working with Aaron to drop the fat through a new diet that lets you cheat, exercise that only gets harder when you say so, and a change to her weight loss mindset to end her emotional eating, Linda embarks on a new journey towards regaining her health. With newfound knowledge and the patience to let small steps lead to huge rewards, Linda shares with you her journey to become a future former fatty.

The post Future Former Fatty Blog 15: Haunting From The Past By My Son appeared first on New Diabetes Rx.

I had got to day twenty-seven out of thirty of marking my three NewDiabetesRx promises and after failing two out of the three promises, I knew it was time to review and renew my promises.  It was time to take a look at what the issue was for me that had caused me to fail miserably this month in keeping my NewDiabetesRx promises even though I was losing weight.

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My NewDiabetesRx promises were as follows:

1. To plan, prepare, and journal what I eat.
2. To exercise at least fifteen minutes and work up to an hour every day.
3. To continue with the original promises I had made.

I realized the only NewDiabetesRx promise I was able to commit to fully and maintain for twenty-seven days out of thirty was promise number three.

• Giving up the white flour
• Eating at least twenty grams of protein per meal
• Having no sugary snacks

These three are now ingrained in my mindset.

It is NewDiabetesRx promise number one and number two that have been difficult to assimilate into my life.  I have had no problem planning and preparing, but journaling has been a stopping point.  Journaling should be easy.  I am a writer, but it hasn’t been.  And this, I can assure you, is sheer laziness.  I have been keeping a mental journal, but that doesn’t count.  Writing down what you eat, when you eat, why you eat benefits not only accountability, but journaling gives you insight as to what your motivation is for eating, especially if it is not out of hunger.  And in not doing so, I am sabotaging myself.

As for NewDiabetesRx promise number two, exercising, I realized that even though when I made the promise I was fully motivated, I failed to keep this promise because I had not committed deep down inside.  This is partly, because I still feel heavy enough that even moving a small amount is exhausting.  So, some days I did great in my efforts to exercise, while more often than not I did not.  I started simply.  I have a dog, and I walk my dog, so I simply walked my dog longer and more aggressively.  But even that takes both mental and physical effort to maintain.

Being a self-proclaimed expert in losing weight, I know for a fact if I started an exercise routine and did it every day, within a short period of time, day by day, I would build the stamina needed to exercise more vigorously without exhaustion.  In the past, when I have committed to a program, within just a few days, my body limbers up, my energy level soars, and I am motivated to push my body harder because I love the way I feel and the results I see.

So what holds any of us back?  Is it pure laziness?  Is it simply creating a routine and making exercise a priority?  I own almost every exercise DVD and even VHS program known to man.  There is really no excuse.  I let other things in my day get in the way, and truth be told these things are not important enough to allow to do so.

So here it goes.  I have renewed my NewDiabetesRx promises with true conviction to succeed and accomplish the task of getting those twenty-seven yes days out of thirty days.  I am going to exercise every day, and I will keep you informed as to how I am doing.  I changed my third promise to specifically tackle journaling my food consumption and food motivations.

I have to tell you I love Aaron Snyder’s program.  I may not be losing weight fast enough by some people’s standards, but I am losing real weight, one pound at a time.  I am truly assessing why I do what I do, my motivation and lack thereof.  I am changing my mindset and becoming more and more aware of my unhealthy relationship with food.  This relationship with food that I have is progressively getting better and better.  I am showing more respect for my body, more knowledge about myself, and how I feel about myself, and I am taking responsibility for my health.

This journey is one of the hardest I have ever taken.  I want to get to the end of the road and succeed once and for all.  Living a healthy life in a lean, strong, able body is the gift that we can only give to ourselves.  No one can do it for us.  Accomplishing this mission to health, feeling good in our own skins, is the most precious and valuable gift we can give to ourselves.  Let me know how you are doing.  We are in it together.  Until we meet again, this is Linda Misleh Wagner, Future Former Fatty.

Linda Misleh Wagner, A Woman On A Mission To Change Her Life

After having gastric bypass surgery in 2007, Linda Misleh Wagner lost 240 pounds, only to gain nearly half of it back. Prior to surgery, Linda was diabetic. Fearful for its return, she sought NewDiabetesRx founder Aaron Snyder. Working with Aaron to drop the fat through a new diet that lets you cheat, exercise that only gets harder when you say so, and a change to her weight loss mindset to end her emotional eating, Linda embarks on a new journey towards regaining her health. With newfound knowledge and the patience to let small steps lead to huge rewards, Linda shares with you her journey to become a future former fatty.

The post Future Former Fatty Blog 18: First Failed NewDiabetesRx Promise appeared first on New Diabetes Rx.

It is a dream that could actually come true.  I want it to come true so badly.  This dream made me feel free, light, without worries or cares.  I need this dream to become my reality.  Let me tell you about it.

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It was a gorgeous day in early October.  The weather was still warm and comfortable.  The sun was low in the sky, bound to set within the hour.  I saw my husband, Bob, standing on the sandy beach of La Jolla Shores using his metal detector.  He was o enthusiastically looking for buried treasure.

I am walking along the shore with my little Chloe, a teacup Jack Russell terrier, enjoying watching her dodge the incoming waves.  She is so adorable.  There is a soft warm breeze blowing through my hair.

The child in me pulls a small bottle of bubbles out of the pocket of my jeans.  I open the bottle and extract the bubble wand.  Standing with my back to the ocean, I hold out my arm to the side and let the wind push the bubbles out of the wand.  It looks like a colorful laser beam.

Children on the beach and a few parents gather to watch the bubble beam. Of course, there are oohs and aahs and “I wanna trys”.  And of course, I let the kids, and a few unembarrassed parents, do so.  The kids squeal with delight and the parents make “how cool” comments.

I look up and see my husband staring at me with a huge smile on his face.  There is pride in his eyes as he looks at me.  I feel so free, so loved, and so good about myself.

I tell the kids I have to go and hand the bottle of bubbles to a little girl with big bright eyes and a pretty smile.  I tell her to enjoy playing with the bubbles and to share.  She promises to do so.

I walk over to my husband and melt into his arms.  He hugs me close to him.  I feel so loved and safe.  He looks into my eyes and tells me that I am so beautiful and kisses me.

I feel beautiful.  I feel free.  I feel peace of mind and in my heart.  There is no place I would rather be than where I am at that moment.  We walk down to the shore, and he picks me up and threatens to throw me into the ocean.  I squeal and giggle and kick my feet swearing to him he will be in big trouble if he throws me in.

My body is beautiful.  I am at a healthy weight wearing my favorite soft faded jeans with a white V-neck tee shirt with three quarter sleeves.  I am light enough for my husband to lift me easily.  My body is healthy, and this makes me feel beautiful and confident.

He puts me down, and we sit down on the sand.  My Chloe is sitting quietly next to me as I run my hand down her back and scratch between her ears.  As we watch the sunset and the green flare emerge, a spiritual feeling envelops my being.  I am happy.

This dream is a dream that can become reality.  The love between my husband and me is there already.  The sunset happens every evening.  La Jolla Shores will always be waiting for me.  The only part of the dream, yet, to come true is a healthy, and slender body.  I work on this every day because I want my health, and I want this dream to become my reality.

Think about how you would see yourself if you did not have a weight issue in your life.  What would you look like?  How would you feel?  How different would your life be if you did not have an overweight, unhealthy body to contend with every day? What would you want to do differently?

Make your dreams your reality.  Do not be afraid to go after the life you want to lead.  Do not let unhealthy food choices and events get in the way of taking care of yourself.  As always, I say this to you as I say it to myself.  Until we meet again, this is Linda Misleh Wagner, Future Former Fatty.

Linda Misleh Wagner, A Woman On A Mission To Change Her Life

After having gastric bypass surgery in 2007, Linda Misleh Wagner lost 240 pounds, only to gain nearly half of it back. Prior to surgery, Linda was diabetic. Fearful for its return, she sought NewDiabetesRx founder Aaron Snyder. Working with Aaron to drop the fat through a new diet that lets you cheat, exercise that only gets harder when you say so, and a change to her weight loss mindset to end her emotional eating, Linda embarks on a new journey towards regaining her health. With newfound knowledge and the patience to let small steps lead to huge rewards, Linda shares with you her journey to become a future former fatty.

The post Future Former Fatty Blog 20: I Had A Dream appeared first on New Diabetes Rx.

We confuse hungry for habit too often. I was talking to my mom about this and my work with Aaron Snyder and about the book I am writing.  It seems like diets, food, and not exercising when we should is the main topic with most people I have conversations with these days.  I realized it has always been this way.  I just never noticed it so much before.  Even at my job, the skinny-minnys always talk about either wanting to lose weight, or about the great restaurant they went to, or about the new recipe they tried.  People love, and I mean love, to talk about weight and food.

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Has it always been the focus of most people’s conversations, I wondered?  Probably so, especially since most people avoid talking about politics and religion, and world events since it leads to politics and religion.  And unless someone is complaining about their spouse or girlfriend or boyfriend, we just don’t talk as much about our love lives even as much as we talk about food.  Let’s face it.  Unless there is personal drama to be divulged, battling our weight issues trumps all.

So in talking with my mom, I made her come to a realization.  She told me she had eaten an orange the night before, before she went to bed.  It dawned on her that she was not even hungry or craving anything, not even an orange, but because she had gotten into the habit of eating a piece of fruit before bedtime, she reached for the orange and ate it.

My mom said to me, “Linda, I wasn’t hungry.  I ate the orange simply out of habit.  Until talking to you last night, I never realized that I ate out of habit, not hunger.”

I thought about this concept.  I considered how many times I had eaten a meal only because it was lunchtime, not even being hungry at the time.  Then I thought about all the times I used to eat sweets before I went to bed.  Since being on Aaron’s program, I now rarely snack on anything after dinner.  I simply am not hungry, and I have broken the habit of eating sweets before bed.

This led me to delve deeper into why I used to eat sweets before bedtime.  The reason may shock you.  It was more than habit; shockingly, I knew the next morning I would want to start my diet yet again, so this indulgence would not ‘count’.

I have now labeled this “The Last Supper” mentality.  This applies to when you have already blown your diet for the day, and you swear to yourself by everything you hold sacred that tomorrow will be the day you start your diet for the last time.  Therefore, if your drug is sugar, you are going to make sure you get your fix before the next morning comes.

I think it is important to eat regularly planned meals.  This way you don’t allow yourself to get so hungry that you grab food without considering whether or not it is beneficial to your weight loss program.  But, you don’t want to eat just to eat if you are really not hungry, right?  So where is the balance, the compromise?

The balance and compromise comes from always being prepared.  Plan regular meals and snacks.  Be prepared so that when you are hungry, you have the proper foods to fill you and satisfy you without derailing your efforts.

Listen to your body.  If you really are not hungry at dinnertime, either don’t eat or eat a very small amount; should you get hungry later but it is too late to eat a dinner meal, have a mini meal.  You don’t want to get into the habit of eating late because you were not hungry at dinner, but you do not want to go to bed starving, leaving you unable to sleep, and then waking up so ravenous you over-eat breakfast.

Another thing to consider is discerning the difference between hunger, habit, and thirst.  Many times when we think we are hungry, we really are not.  We are thirsty.  Have something to drink, water, iced-tea, a cup of coffee.  If you are still hungry, then eat.  Chances are you will find you are not so hungry as you were thirsty.

Get into the habit of eating at regular times, planning healthy meals and snacks, listening to your body to determine if you are really hungry or if you are eating out of habit.  Make being healthy and eating right and exercising into habits.  Remember, you are the only one who can control what habits you allow and don’t allow.  Your habits are your choice.  So indulge in habits that bring you joy, peace of mind, and clarity.  As always, as I say this to you I say it to myself.  Until we meet again, this is Linda Misleh Wagner, Future Former Fatty.

Linda Misleh Wagner, A Woman On A Mission To Change Her Life

After having gastric bypass surgery in 2007, Linda Misleh Wagner lost 240 pounds, only to gain nearly half of it back. Prior to surgery, Linda was diabetic. Fearful for its return, she sought NewDiabetesRx founder Aaron Snyder. Working with Aaron to drop the fat through a new diet that lets you cheat, exercise that only gets harder when you say so, and a change to her weight loss mindset to end her emotional eating, Linda embarks on a new journey towards regaining her health. With newfound knowledge and the patience to let small steps lead to huge rewards, Linda shares with you her journey to become a future former fatty.

The post Future Former Fatty Blog 19: Hungry or Habit? appeared first on New Diabetes Rx.

It is my fault that I am a pushover and I am so tired of it.  Sometimes people just seem to walk all over me because I am nice.  Enough is enough!

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Lately, there have been several incidents where people I love and who I believe love me seem to assume that I will go along with just about anything they want because I am nice.  They do not even consider my feelings or needs at all.  They just think “Hey, Linda, won’t mind.”

I am here to tell you, “I do mind”!  I have feelings too.  I have opinions on situations that matter to me.  My time is just as valuable to me as your time is to you.  Stop assuming that I will go with the flow because it is what you want even though you know, and you do know, it is not what I want!  Back off!

So whose fault is it when people overstep their boundaries and you allow it?  Whose fault is it when people take advantage of your precious time without consulting you?  Whose fault is it when people invite strangers you have never met to your house for dinner without telling you until the stranger is at your door?  Whose fault is it when you are dead tired, can’t stand on your feet another minute, and yet, you are finishing a project someone else should be doing but conned you into because they knew you cannot say no?  Whose fault?

Mine, that’s who!  Mine!  It is my fault, and my fault alone.  Do you want to know why it is my own entire fault?  Because I never ever set boundaries with any one.  Everyone is so used to me taking a back seat to their feelings and needs that they do not even recognize they are being inconsiderate and disrespectful to me.  People who really and truly care about me are completely unaware that they have overstepped boundaries.  They assume since I always go along with the crowd, don’t make waves, will step up to the plate and get things done, then why bother to ask me if what they want or need from me is what I want and need to be a part of and have the time to do.

Well, I am here to tell you differently.  Lately, I have shocked a few people by standing up for myself when they assumed I would be okay with certain situations.  I was angry, and I mean angry for their assumptions.  I respectfully and clearly set them straight.

Boy oh boy!  It felt great!  I mean over the top nitty-gritty great.  It not only made me feel good, but these persons were humbled and realized they had overstepped themselves at my expense.  It created a better bond and a thoughtful respect.  More importantly, I felt I had cared about my feelings, my needs, my time, and myself.

Take back the streets and own them.  Do not allow anyone to take you for granted.  Your feelings, needs, and your time are valuable.  You should always respect yourself, and by setting necessary and appropriate boundaries, you show respect for yourself, and you teach others how to respect you as well.  You can still be nice, but be nice to yourself first.  It is a liberating feeling, I promise you.  Until we meet again, this is Linda Misleh Wagner, Future Former Fatty.

Linda Misleh Wagner, A Woman On A Mission To Change Her Life

After having gastric bypass surgery in 2007, Linda Misleh Wagner lost 240 pounds, only to gain nearly half of it back. Prior to surgery, Linda was diabetic. Fearful for its return, she sought NewDiabetesRx founder Aaron Snyder. Working with Aaron to drop the fat through a new diet that lets you cheat, exercise that only gets harder when you say so, and a change to her weight loss mindset to end her emotional eating, Linda embarks on a new journey towards regaining her health. With newfound knowledge and the patience to let small steps lead to huge rewards, Linda shares with you her journey to become a future former fatty.

The post Future Former Fatty Blog 21: Whose Fault Is It? appeared first on New Diabetes Rx.

Weight loss does not happen in a straight line. We all wish it did…

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One week ago I woke up feeling light.  Light enough to want to step on the scale.  I made my way to the bathroom, stripped down to my birthday suit (every ounce counts) and stepped on my arch nemesis, the bathroom scale.  I was shocked.  It registered fifteen pounds off.  Fifteen pounds!  I was so happy.  Thrilled!

I came out of the bathroom, dressed, of course, and started dancing.  My husband watched me dancing around singing “My diet’s working!  I’m getting skinnier!  My diet’s working”!  He laughed and praised me.

I made breakfast, and I hurried to dress.  I had so much to do today.  It was the day before Easter.  I boiled the eggs to prepare them for coloring.  I prepped the cookie dough for it needed to chill for two hours.  My stepdaughter had all four of her wisdom teeth removed the day before, so I did what I could to keep her comfortable.

I picked up my mom and ran to the various stores to pick up groceries.  The entire day was go go go.  I made up big pot of butternut squash soup for dinner.  Took my mom home, and got home to start decorating the cookies I had baked in the afternoon.

Around ten thirty, everyone had finally gone to bed.  I grabbed the Easter baskets and started filling them up.  As I opened the first bag of jellybeans, the sweet aroma of pure flavored sugar assailed my senses.  My favorite flavor of jellybeans, black licorice, sat on the very top of the bag.  One won’t hurt, will it?  Okay, so four won’t hurt, will it?

I filled the baskets with everyone’s favorite candies.  Besides the jellybeans, I ate two Robin eggs.  You know the ones, the malted chocolate.  All in all, I did not feel too bad because considering the damage I could have done, I felt like I did okay.  The only problem was my stomach began to hurt a few minutes later.

No way, I thought.  Four jellybeans and two malted chocolate eggs are going to cause my stomach to cramp.  Yippee!  Yahoo!  Deterrent effective finally.  My stomach hurt enough to register in my brain that I had moved past wanting sugar, and that devilish sugar would cause me to have a stomachache.

The next morning I got up and got busy prepping for the Easter brunch I was having at my mother’s home.  My stomach was not cramping any longer, but it was still not happy.

I made a great breakfast: French Toast Casserole with Maple syrup, fresh fruit salad, and bacon.  I had a tiny piece of the casserole with sugar free syrup, a tiny serving of the fruit salad, and two strips of bacon.  Other than the bacon, pretty much everything on the menu today would not be part of my weight loss plan.  I did not worry about it.  I allowed myself this day, giving myself permission to eat what I wanted but in teeny tiny portions.

I did the same at dinner.  I enjoyed a thumb size portion of the ham, the manicotti crepe, the salad, and the roasted yams.  I tasted a teaspoonful of the desserts, lemon raspberry custard and a chocolate chip cheesecake.  I had made the entire meal from scratch.

The next morning I woke up with an upset stomach and a weight gain of four pounds.  Four pounds!  I was so upset.  Really, I thought.  I had eaten teeny portions, less than you would feed to a small child, and yet, I still gained four pounds.  I was so upset.

Well, here we are, one week later.  I have lost two of the four pounds I gained.  It seems so unfair.  In one night I gained four pounds, but it has taken me a whole week to lose two pounds.

I learned two things from this week.  Number one, even though I allowed myself to eat and enjoy the holiday meals, the sugar in the meals, the high carbs, and the white flour made my stomach hurt.  I was nauseas and had a runny stomach most of the week.  These foods made me feel sluggish and tired.  Number two, after eating so well for the past two months, my body no longer was craving sugar and white flour.  It was clean and craved to stay clean.

Let me add, I learned I was thrilled with my progress one week ago, and in one short day, a breakfast and a dinner, even though eaten very moderately, was enough to derail my progress for more than a week.  Gaining four and losing only two sets me back more than a week.  It was not worth it.

We are human.  There are many reasons to allow ourselves to not follow our program for health.  Holidays are only one of them.  If you choose to have a cheat day, it is not the end of the world.  But get right back on track as I did the next morning.  Getting right back on track in its own right is a success marker.   Remember, you are in control of your health.  You are the only one who can change your mindset.  Until we meet again, this is Linda Misleh Wagner, Future Former Fatty

Linda Misleh Wagner, A Woman On A Mission To Change Her Life

After having gastric bypass surgery in 2007, Linda Misleh Wagner lost 240 pounds, only to gain nearly half of it back. Prior to surgery, Linda was diabetic. Fearful for its return, she sought NewDiabetesRx founder Aaron Snyder. Working with Aaron to drop the fat through a new diet that lets you cheat, exercise that only gets harder when you say so, and a change to her weight loss mindset to end her emotional eating, Linda embarks on a new journey towards regaining her health. With newfound knowledge and the patience to let small steps lead to huge rewards, Linda shares with you her journey to become a future former fatty.

The post Future Former Fatty Blog 17: Weight Loss Ain’t Linear appeared first on New Diabetes Rx.

If you are the parent or parents of children with type 2 diabetes, then this article is just what you need to help you understand the right approach in helping your child heal. Big hint: typically, the entire family needs to come together and change together.

What Is Diabetes?
Type 2 diabetes is a disease with the primary symptom of high blood sugar. It is brought on by a child with a genetic predisposition of the disease gaining excessive weight through overeating the wrong foods and not doing enough physical activity. parents of children with type 2 diabetes must understand this is the exact same pattern for adults who get type 2 diabetes, but the disease is much more of a concern in kids who get it because its onset was faster (diabetes can take years to develop in adults, longer than the kids who have it might have been alive), indicating the amount of weight gain, degree of inactivity, and strength of the genetic predisposition are all excessive.

What Are The Signs?
A child with type 2 diabetes is typically very overweight with a pot belly. From here, they may experience thirst, fatigue, excessive hunger, blurry vision, and tingly fingers. Other times, there may be no symptoms at all. A routine visit to the doctor for an unrelated illness like the flu may result in blood work and then a surprise diagnoses.

As my kid demonstrates, physical activity can put a smile on your face.

What Does It Mean For The Child?
A type 2 diabetic child is just a kid who needs help eating better, finding physical activities they enjoy, and losing weight. If this can be done, diabetes will pose no harm, can be reversed, and can be avoided in adulthood. However, if the weight is not lost, the child is in dire jeopardy of experiencing nerve damage, heart problems, amputations, blindness, kidney problems, and stroke. The good news is this is all avoidable.

What Does It Mean For The Family?
Parents of children with type 2 diabetes must help the entire family eat better and move more. Type 2 diabetes is a family disease, not just genetically, but behaviorally. It’s very rare that only one child is overweight and inactive. By having the entire family change their lifestyle, the afflicted child does not feel singled out, and equally important, has a support system of their parents and siblings as role models of change. Even better, since type 2 diabetes runs in families, the other immediate family members will reduce their risk of getting the same disease? In short, a child diagnosed with type 2 diabetes is a wakeup call for the entire family.

How Will It Affect The Child’s Future?
Kids with type diabetes are overweight and inactive, so the best message to give the parents of children with type 2 diabetes is that they will play and work much better by losing the weight. I personally fell into this category growing up as a heavy, sedentary child. The impact on the kid’s spirit is the same as for any overweight child. They endure teasing, low self esteem, and have the stigma of having a disease. The good news is that lifestyle changes can turn these negatives into positives. Further, teaching a child to follow a lifestyle that does not lead to type 2 diabetes creates an adult without the disease.

What’s The Latest In Medicine That Keeps This Disease In Check?
Parents of children with type 2 diabetes need to understand there is no medicine that can keep type 2 diabetes “in check” all on its own. The most loving solution is to ensure our kids eat better, become more active, and help them lose weight. On top of that, there are currently only two medications approved for children in the US: Metformin and insulin. Metformin is a generally safe, well tolerated oral medication that can help kids control blood sugar better. Insulin is used generally if the combination of Metformin with diet and lifestyle changes does not control diabetes enough. Regardless, the best message for parents of children with type 2 diabetes is that kids who lose their weight, get more active, and change their eating can reverse type 2 diabetes and have no further need of medication.

The post Q&A: What Parents Of Children With Type 2 Diabetes Need To Know appeared first on New Diabetes Rx.

Why is it that some people seem to be able to eat whatever they want, as much as they want, and not gain weight? I hate these types of people. Well, not really. I am actually in love with one of these types, my husband, Bob.

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Bob is a former fatty himself. He used to be over two hundred pounds heavier. He had the gastric by-pass surgery a year and a half after I did. He has not gained any of his weight back. He might go up and down ten, maybe fifteen pounds, but in my world that means he pretty much stays the same.

We met at a gastric by-pass reunion that our surgeons throw every year. It’s a two-day event that ends with a dinner, fashion show, and dance held every year at one of our local hotels. It was a wonderful evening. I was in the fashion show. I had reached my lowest weight of one hundred eighty five pounds, which may sound fat to many of you, but as I used to weigh over four hundred thirty pounds, trust me, I felt svelte. Plus, according to my surgeon, I had about twenty-five pounds in loose skin after losing all that weight, so I thought of myself as truly weighing in at 160. One eighty-five felt like one thirty-five that night.

My husband asked me to dance and that was it. We were married a little over two years later. Now we have been together a total of three and a half years. Like I said, he has maintained his weight very well. I “hate” him, as I love him. It is not fair.

Both of us have dealt with a great deal of stress. Both of us work really hard. Both of us love to eat. What’s the difference, right?

The difference is he does not use food as a crutch. He doesn’t care if he eats dinner at the end of the day. I do because it de-stresses me. He works and lives about an hour and half from our home. He comes home on Friday afternoon and goes to work on Monday. He will retire in a few years and come home for good.

His work requires a great deal from him physically; sometimes, he walks as much as seven miles a day going from one end of his plant to the other. Mine is a desk job. I am up and down a bit, but my derriere is planted most of the day.

On weekends, because I cook for him, Bob eats off and on all day long. Usually, sweet rolls, followed by a big breakfast. A few hours later, maybe a peanut butter, jelly, and salami sandwich (ick), then lunch, then other snacks such as salsa and chips or pistachios, then a nice dinner, and then another snack. Eating like that is the reason I am doing this program. Thank goodness for Aaron’s program.

During the week, my husband will grab breakfast from his favorite gourmet truck that comes to his work. He will get something for lunch, and for the most part, that’s pretty much it for the rest of the day. Once in a while he will grab something for dinner or have a protein shake. Do you “hate” him as much as I do right now? He is not using food to deal with stress. His mindset has changed.

Truthfully, I am immensely proud of him. Even though he can really put it away when he wants to, he has found a balance. Bob basically lives Aaron Snyder’s program. He eats light all week, and on the weekend he eats what he wants. Bob is constantly on the move all week long, and come the weekend, even though he keeps busy, he can still relax. My husband is my inspiration in many ways.

So, friends, let’s be like the Aaron’s and Bobs of this world. Let’s not be so food- focused. Eat healthy all week long, and on the occasional weekend, indulge just a little bit. We can do this! Future Former Fatties unite! And instead of looking at people who manage their eating like Aaron and Bob with resentment, let’s join them. Until we meet again, this is Linda Misleh Wagner, future former fatty.

Linda Misleh Wagner, A Woman On A Mission To Change Her Life

After having gastric bypass surgery in 2007, Linda Misleh Wagner lost 240 pounds, only to gain nearly half of it back. Prior to surgery, Linda was diabetic. Fearful for its return, she sought NewDiabetesRx founder Aaron Snyder. Working with Aaron to drop the fat through a new diet that lets you cheat, exercise that only gets harder when you say so, and a change to her weight loss mindset to end her emotional eating, Linda embarks on a new journey towards regaining her health. With newfound knowledge and the patience to let small steps lead to huge rewards, Linda shares with you her journey to become a future former fatty.

The post Future Former Fatty Blog 16: Sometimes Life Is Just Not Fair! appeared first on New Diabetes Rx.

For the most part I am those things, and the emotional eating is getting easier to control. Every once in awhile, though, drama happens in my life as it does with all of us that makes me question everything I have ever done, every decision I have ever made, and re-analyze my reasoning for handling things the way I handled them. This usually occurs when something happens that I have no control over and do not know how to correct and solve the problem.

Checkout All The Future Former Fatty Blogs HERE

In times such as this, I am in emotional pain that makes not emotional eating harder to control. Even when the situation has nothing to do with me directly, if someone I love and care about are hurting, going through difficult times, I hurt so much for them that it can set me in a tailspin. I am sure you understand. Every mother, father, sibling, if you have a best friend, people you genuinely love and care about, would do most anything for, when they are hurting, you are hurting. I am hurting.

Imagine if you are an emotional eater facing emotional challenges how difficult it is to stay on target. All you want to do is eat. Every fiber of your being is aching to get lost in a bag of chocolate bars or a package of cookies. You want to give in so bad.

This is what I have been facing this week. People I care about so deeply are going through difficult times. I am so worried for them, and I wish I could solve their problems and take away their worries. There is nothing I can do to solve their problems. Their problems are theirs to solve. I can only be supportive.

I tell myself this over and over again. Even though I have cried myself to sleep twice this week, I tell myself I cannot fix their problems. Instead, I pray. And I pray some more. I pray for them, and I pray for myself.

You know what else I did to get through this week? I stuck to Aaron Snyder’s plan for me. One night, I roamed through my kitchen like a caged tiger trying to figure out what I wanted to eat. Nothing. There was nothing appealing to me.

I knew I wanted to cheat. I conscientiously was giving myself permission to cheat. I could not do it. My mindset was changing. I did not want to sabotage my hard work. I have lost ten pounds, and I feel better. Food was not going to take away my worries. It would only make me feel lousy. I already feel lousy. I do not need any help from food to feel worse. I feel as bad as I can feel.

Did I beat the cheat? Yes and no. I allowed myself to have enough cashews that equaled five grams of carbs. It would put me over my thirty-gram limit by five grams. Guess what? Big deal. Before I would have ordered pizza, eaten a box of cookies, and so much more. Tonight I ate a small handful of cashews.

I feel great about how I handled this situation. I took care of myself. I acknowledged food would not make me feel any better. I wrote down the extra carbs from the cashews and took responsibility for my actions. And I did not ruin all my efforts of the past month.

I may not have been able to mark a yes on my daily promises, but I felt like a winner, successful of redirecting my inner turmoil away from foods, especially foods unhealthy for me. You can too. We are always going to face personal challenges. We may want to give in to our addiction. Don’t do it. It won’t fix your problems. Beat the cheat. Keep saying it. Beat the cheat. Change your relationship with food. Control your impulses to food addiction and you will feel like a million bucks.

I pray whatever you face; you remember why you decided to sign up for Aaron’s New Diabetes Rx.com membership. You decided to change your relationship with food. You decided to change your mindset, to take control and responsibility for your health. Those reasons will help you get through difficult times. Until we meet again, I am Linda Misleh Wagner, future former fatty, wishing you well.

Linda Misleh Wagner, A Woman On A Mission To Change Her Life

After having gastric bypass surgery in 2007, Linda Misleh Wagner lost 240 pounds, only to gain nearly half of it back. Prior to surgery, Linda was diabetic. Fearful for its return, she sought NewDiabetesRx founder Aaron Snyder. Working with Aaron to drop the fat through a new diet that lets you cheat, exercise that only gets harder when you say so, and a change to her weight loss mindset to end her emotional eating, Linda embarks on a new journey towards regaining her health. With newfound knowledge and the patience to let small steps lead to huge rewards, Linda shares with you her journey to become a future former fatty.

The post Future Former Fatty Blog 14: Quitting Emotional Eating Is Harder Than I Thought appeared first on New Diabetes Rx.

…And even without cutting carbs, I lost five pounds. Real pounds, not water weight. I feel wonderful. Better than I have in a long time. I don’t feel bloated, and I can even hold my stomach in, not that anyone could tell, but I can because it isn’t stuffed and bloated.

Checkout All The Future Former Fatty Blogs HERE

I feel on fire! Ready to move to the next level. I added exercise to my promises, and I am doing it. Everyday. Not hard core yet, but as I become lighter, the exercise will become more intense. I am also still sticking to my original promises of twenty-grams of protein at each meal and eating nothing made with white flour.

Not bad, hah. The only promise basically kicking my fat derriere is the promise of cutting carbs to thirty grams or less everyday. I use enough Splenda in my ice tea throughout the day to equal thirty carbs. Needless to say, I have cut back on Splenda.

The journaling and preparing part of the program is easy for me. I love to cook, and I love to write, and writing down what you eat actually helps me keep track and be accountable. And what’s nice about this program is there are many resources on the internet for finding recipes that are delicious and low carb. So, no excuses.

Still, just cutting carbs to fewer than thirty is difficult. Until you actually read labels, you think you know what you are consuming, especially in carbohydrates. Even healthy choices such as fruit average fifteen grams of carbs per serving. Holy shmoly! It may not sound like much, but when you’re cutting carbs to thirty grams or fewer, fifteen grams will wipe out half your allowance for the day. Not worth it to me.

Instead, I use water-based vegetables to create variety and taste with my protein choice. Lettuce, mushrooms, green beans, spinach are all good choices, as well as cucumbers and bell pepper since their carb counts are very low.

For dessert, I will enjoy sugar free Jell-O. No guilt there when you’re cutting carbs! I also discovered my favorite frozen yogurt shop carries a brand called Dream Delite. Their products are low carb, low calorie, and lactose free. I don’t know what the heck is in it, but the flavors, especially the chocolate varieties are to die for. A mini is eight ounces is yields fourteen net carbs.
What I do is I buy a mini, eat a quarter of it and freeze the rest. Then, whenever I need a chocolate fix, I reach into my freezer and eat a teaspoonful. If I decide to eat more than a teaspoonful, I count the carbs so I am able to stay within my target zone.

Even on the days I have had difficulty cutting carbs to fewer than thirty, I am not resorting to blowing my program. Even when I go over my thirty grams this week, it is usually not by more then ten grams. Not too bad.

The hardest part of this week is I am type A personality. I like to be perfect in getting the job done. Cutting carbs to under thirty grams makes me want to rethink my promise, but I then put myself in check and realize even though I may not be able to mark yes on my promise sheet everyday, I am doing so much better than I was before. I am really not craving sweets like I was before. And when I do, a taste such as a teaspoonful of frozen yogurt, 8 calories per ounce, seven carbs per four ounces, I can live with. Remember, it is not about perfection, it is about perseverance. Making small changes add up to huge successful changes.

Making the drastic promise of cutting carbs to thirty grams may take time to reach twenty-seven days out of thirty of yes’, and that is okay with me. The path I am following now will change my life for better for health and well-being. I want and need this change. I know you feel me and understand. Stick with it is what we need to tell ourselves. We will not regret it, and we will live the life we want and deserve to live. Until we meet again, this is Linda Misleh Wagner, Future Former Fatty.

Linda Misleh Wagner, A Woman On A Mission To Change Her Life

After having gastric bypass surgery in 2007, Linda Misleh Wagner lost 240 pounds, only to gain nearly half of it back. Prior to surgery, Linda was diabetic. Fearful for its return, she sought NewDiabetesRx founder Aaron Snyder. Working with Aaron to drop the fat through a new diet that lets you cheat, exercise that only gets harder when you say so, and a change to her weight loss mindset to end her emotional eating, Linda embarks on a new journey towards regaining her health. With newfound knowledge and the patience to let small steps lead to huge rewards, Linda shares with you her journey to become a future former fatty.

The post Future Former Fatty Blog 13: Cutting Carbs Is Biting Off More Than I Can Chew appeared first on New Diabetes Rx.