November’s Diabetes Late Nite podcast guest, Autumn Reed, who is living with type 2 diabetes, has successfully lost and maintained an amazing 100+ pounds. Autumn, the self-confessed “The Queen of Meal Prep” shares her journey and advice for others interested in transforming their diabetes health exclusively with Divabetic:

Q: Describe your lifestyle before you began your weight loss journey? (Habits, work schedule, priorities, activity level, meals, etc.)
Autumn’s response: My lifestyle before I began my weight loss journey is best described as lazy. I could always come up with an excuse not to eat healthier or exercise. I worked 40+ hours a week, I had my family to feed, this or that body part hurt and my favorite… I’m too tired. My activity level was beyond sedentary. On weekends I would take a nap between breakfast and lunch. I thought exercise was a punishment and why on earth would I want to eat something green.

Q: Have you tried to lose weight in the past? If so, please describe what stopped you. 

Autumn’s response: I tried and succeeded in losing weight in the past, only to gain it all and then some back. Ten years before my diagnosis I lost 125 lbs doing the low carb diet, like the Keto, under a doctor’s supervision. It’s certainly not a diet you can live on forever. 

Q: What triggered this weigh loss? Did any celebrities inspire you? Books?

Autumn’s response: This time my weight loss was triggered by my need to live. My diagnosis of diabetes was my wake-up call to better health. Finding an online support group that promoted “the plate method” was a huge factor in my success.

Q: When were you diagnosed with type 2 diabetes? What were your initial thoughts? 

Autumn’s response: I was diagnosed with type 2 on 12/4/2016 (for the second time).  Approximately 10 years prior my doctor did blood work, gave me Byetta for 3 months, redid my blood work and then said, “go about life as usual”. I was never told how serious it is. I was never told that once you’re diabetic, you’re always diabetic. I wasn’t smart enough back then to stop and realize that I needed to find out about diabetes and change my life. I’m guessing that was probably my lazy, sedentary lifestyle talking.

Q: How did or does your type 2 diabetes factor into your decision to lose weight? How has your self-care routine changed? 

Autumn’s response: My first thought this time around was I would spend the rest of my life never eating what I wanted, ever again.  How could I never eat a cookie or pizza?  My type 2 diabetes factored into my weight loss when I reached 281 lbs. I experienced high glucose crankiness, had no energy and was out of breath tying my shoes or walking from the car to the store.  I knew it was time to change. My self-care has changed tremendously… meal prep is my new middle name.  I also started exercising at least once a day and sometimes twice. Injuries have gotten in the way and caused me to slow down but not stopped me.

Q: Name 1-2 obstacles in your weight loss journey and describe how you managed to overcome them.

Autumn’s response: The 2 major obstacles in my weight loss journey have been a broken ankle and a torn meniscus, which caused my activity level to decrease immensely. It’s very frustrating not being able to enjoy my exercise routines. 

Q: List 1-3 tips that have worked for you to lose weight and maintain your weight loss. 

Autumn’s response: My tips for weight loss:

1.        Plan meals or plan ahead.I use MyFitnessPal to calorie and carb count my meals, I bought a Fitbit fitness tracker and if I go out to eat, I look at the menu ahead of time.

2.       Hold yourself accountable. Nobody is perfect. If you eat something or do something that makes you feel guilty, own up to it with yourself instead of being hard on yourself. It’s easier to screw up once and move on then to keep repeating it.

3.       Find a support system. Enlist family, friends, a local group or online support – it’s the only way. 

To maintain my weight loss:

1.        Plan meals.

2.       Celebrate every goal met.

3.       See a dietitian. 

Q: Who’s on your team?  Name 1-2 people (friends/family and/or health professionals) and describe the role they have played in helping you manage your health.

Autumn’s response: My husband has been so supportive throughout my journey. He helps with meal prepping and his lunches are the bomb – no more drive-throughs, lol. The online support group Type 2 Diabetes Plate Method Support has been my biggest support of all. Cindy Lou, Ansley Dalbo and Rick Storm just to name a few have been key players in my success. They’ve taught me so much about diabetes, food, my body and exercise. 

Q: What advice would you give to someone who living with type 2 diabetes seeking to lose weight?

Autumn’s response: My advice to any type 2 seeking to lose weight would be talk to your doctor, see a dietitian and do as much reading and research as you can because this is YOUR body. Holidays at first were the worst! Now I just factor in what I WANT to eat and roll with it. If I eat a little extra, I don’t punish myself –  I just know it’s only one meal or snack and move on. No more dwelling on enjoying things I like to eat. 

Q: The holiday season is just around the corner, what tools do you use to navigate the holidays and stay on track with your health?

Autumn’s response: I have been involved in a few online support groups. Diabetes-What to know, Type 2 support and Type 2 Diabetes-Plate Method Support. My goal is to help educate other type 2 diabetics on this disease and let them know that diabetes is a word… NOT a sentence.  My October went very well despite its challenges of health and family issues. This month I plan to research and find more recipes that are health and holiday friendly. I’ll be honest, the online support that I’ve found has really changed my health and my entire life. I help admin in a group and find that I learn just as much from them as they do from me.  I’m not sure about someone I’ve helped directly but it sure does feel amazing to see others posting their weight loss or A1C on the group page. I know to a lot of those people we are their only support. They look forward to the informative and educational posts. We can even lighten the mood with some diabetes “funnies” occasionally. 

We’re sharing amazing weight loss journeys & ways to help overcome fears related to Hypoglycemia with guests: Vanessa Hunter, Dr. Wendy Rapaport PsyD, Dr. Stewart Harris, Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDE, and Autumn Reed on Novembers’ Diabetes Late Nite inspired by Jennifer Hudson

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Autumn Reed shares how small changes added up to big results in weight loss in Diabetes Forecast Magazine.

Her A1C went from 7.3 to 5 percent, and she was able to come off her diabetes medications completely. Best of all, she’s less interested in sitting around the house. “I feel like a different person—like the person who was inside all this time but couldn’t get out.”

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