The author shares their personal journey with type 2 diabetes, detailing their initial diagnosis at 327 lbs with an A1c of 11.4. Through research and lifestyle changes, including dietary adjustments and exercise, they successfully reduced their weight to 189 lbs and A1c to 4.9. The narrative emphasizes the importance of support systems and the need for better healthcare tools to manage diabetes.

1. Diabetes and Me
My first few years with diabetes

2. This was me... 327 Lbs
I was a happy go lucky network architect, and I was often saying I’m tired or have a headache.
I was going to the bathroom a ton, and I would drink sodas nonstop.

3. Then August 3 2011 5:04PM ...

4. The Doctor
wants to speak
with you...
No I can’t tell you over the phone, it
would be best if you came in today

5. A1C 11.4 - 364mg/dl

6. I ... a grown man ... cried
until my poor dog was soaked.

7. Lost...
✤ So much conflicting
information
✤ WebMD Diabetes Forums
✤ DLife
✤ MTMC Diabetes Classes
✤ Nutritionist
✤ The First Year: Type 2 Diabetes:
An Essential Guide for the
After I was first diagnosed, I went scouring the web for information. I found a ton of
misinformation; however, I quickly found good sources of information online and off.

8. Nov - 263 Lbs
Dec - A1C 7.4
I started watching my blood sugar, switched to only drinking teas and diet sodas, reduced my
carb consumption a ton.

9. I’m not where I want to be...
I was still struggling to get it under control but I was making progress, and I had a suspicion
but not proof that I was having a reaction to the medicine.

10. Jan 2012 - Tight Control
No more Meds, Serious Exercise and Diet Restrictions 248 Lbs
Then I decided I had to take a different approach

11. March 2012
224 Lbs
6.2 A1C

12. October 2012

13. Oct 2012 ... 189 Lbs ... 4.9 A1C

14. Step out walk!
Good support is key
The guy on the far left is my trainer, and instrumental in the weight loss success. The rest of
this photo is my fiancé and her family. Having people to be there on those miserable days.

15. We need better
tools...
Built GLu at HackNashville
Diabetes has a ceiling to the care, and part of that is money/insurance related. I want to
break that trend. Others should stand triumphant over this disease with me.

16. SucraTrend
www.sucratrend.com

18. Everyday I try to make one better
decision than I did yesterday!
My daily mantra

19. Questions