Meet Chandra: An Avid Baker Living With Type 2 Diabetes Who Lost 70 Pounds

Divabetic Baking Party prize winner Chandra, living well with type 2 diabetes, is an avid baker and home cook who has lost over 70 pounds.

She is constantly looking for new ways to enjoy my favorite foods with lower carb swaps.

Read how Chandra manages to enjoy life to the fullest without feeling deprived.

In 2014, I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. I immediately sought out information on nutrition after my diagnosis. Since then, I have managed my diabetes by counting carbs, walking, and adhering to my medications.

The thing that inspired me to lose weight was my family. At the time, having a 4-year-old inspired me to make small changes that make a big difference. More than anything, I want to live a long healthy life and spend it with my family!

A big help was the advice I received from my nutritionist after my type 2 diabetes diagnosis. She said to keep things simple and focus on one thing – counting carbs when getting started. So my weight loss was slow and steady, about 10-12 pounds per year.

My nutritionist also encouraged me to keep a food journal, so I calculated the carbs in everything. I think I drove everyone crazy around me. I always wrote these down in a spiral notebook. Eventually, I got pretty proficient.

I try to follow the recommendations she gave me:
1. If you are hungry, eat.
2. Our brains need carbs, so don’t eliminate carbs completely.
3. Eat 30-45 carbs per meal, 15 carbs for a snack (for women) men are 45-60. If you want to lose weight, stick to the lower end.
4. Get moving. I started walking 10 min a day, then I graduated up to about 45 min. I also recently joined a Pilates club for weekly flow classes.
5. Have regular checkups on A1C- I have had to make a few adjustments.
6. I participate in a wellness coaching program, Newtopia. They have been really helpful in keeping me setting goals and checking in. For example, I weigh myself daily with a smart scale linked to apple health. That is shared with my wellness coach, and it keeps me accountable. He also helps to keep my spirits lifted during challenging days.

A few years ago I read the book The Clean 20 by Dr. Ian Smith. My husband and I followed that plan for 30 days. We liked it and continued doing that for probably another 3 or 4 months. We found out what meals we liked and added those to our routine.

Even though I have lost 70 pounds, my blood sugars have continued upwards. Recently my doctors adjusted my medications. Now I take a combination of Metformin, Januvia, and Jardiance.

Just this week, I started wearing a Dexcom g6 Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM). At first, I was super nervous about it. But I really like it. I can just look at my phone to see my sugar numbers. So far, so good on my new treatment plan.

I really enjoyed the Divabetic Baking Party On Zoom. Funny note though, I went out to buy the Pillsbury Sugar-Free Cake Mix and Frosting and was surprised that it had MORE carbs than the regular boxed mix! So, that’s a no-go for me. Instead, I’ll use the regular mix and just do smaller portions!

Recently I started to count my saturated fat grams. The new plan is to try to keep under 25 g per day. I really enjoy cream in my coffee and butter on my toast. Those are two of my favorite things, so we’ll see how that goes!!! I am a work in progress!!

Looking for a fun way to socialize without putting your diabetes wellness at risk? Do you need a little help staying on track with your diabetes self-care?

Join the happy healthcare host, Mr. Divabetic, hosts this free, fun Virtual Mother’s Day-themed Baking Party with special guests, Stacey Harris, aka The Diabetic Pastry Chef and Divabetic Image & Style Advisor Catherine Schuller, on Thursday, April 28, 2022, 7 – 8:30 PM, EST on Zoom.

Win gifts courtesy of Arthel Neville Design FABULOUS East/West Tote, Dr. Remedy’s Enriched Nail Care gift set, Best-Selling Author Tonya Kappes‘s Camper Cozy Mystery, Walden Farms Zero Calories, Zero Net Carbs Salad Dressings, and Peak 10 Skin’s Save My Sole Foot Rescue Cream during Mr. Divabetic’s random drawings. You must be present at our Baking Party to enter our gift drawings to win.

Over 150 people registered for our last Divabetic Baking Party on Zoom, so don’t miss out!

REGISTER NOW – FREE REGISTRATION

Looking for a fun way to socialize without putting your diabetes wellness at risk? Do you need a little help staying on track with your diabetes self-care?

Back by popular demand! The happy healthcare host, Mr. Divabetic, hosts this free, fun Virtual Mother’s Day-themed Baking Party with special guests, Stacey Harris, aka The Diabetic Pastry Chef and Divabetic Image & Style Advisor Catherine Schuller, on Thursday, April 28, 2022, 7 – 8:30 PM, EST on Zoom.