Rachel's Support and Guidance

Dear Mark,                            5/3/11
Your story is great. I have a few other questions for you that will help with the project that Rachel and I are working on. We think that the kind of encounters you had with Rachel changes peoples' lives and we want to help others do the same. I want to learn a bit more about your experience because you’re such a good story teller.
Dr. Blair

What did Rachel do that made a difference for you this time? Rachel was able to provide me the dietary education that was missing before: what to eat, when to eat and how much; providing me with a plan.  I thought I was going to have to eat special foods, Rachel showed me that I didn’t have to buy special or expensive foods. She provided me with ideas for meals and snack that I would not have ever thought about eating. Previously, I never counted calories; she taught me how to read labels, really was key. Also, when I go out to eat knowing what to eat. Asking for nutrition information for their menu items. It’s like laying the foundation of a house, if the person has no expertise in how to build houses, it will not last.
You have been on diets before, why are you sticking to this one? When I heard “prediabetic”  it scared me. I look at it like I am not on a diet, this is how I will eat the rest of my life. Previously, weight loss was a vanity issue for me, then I realized I was in a health crisis- became a whole new reason to loose weight-to save my life.
Besides food control and diabetes control did Rachel help you in other areas? She stressed the importance of a support group and being accountable. I called her 1x week with my weight and food diary. Setting goals and keeping food diary. Activity-importance of being active, increased my activity; even joined a gym. Self-confidence and being proud in my accomplishments. Importance of knowing and tracking how much you weigh. I didn’t know how much I weighed. Didn’t have a scale that would go up to my weight. She found and ordered a scale for me to weigh on at my house.
What was your initial A1c and what is it now? 10/9/10 6.1%, 5.9% 1/11, will have it rechecked at next appt. on 7/11
What else has improved for you besides your weight? General outlook on life-much happier, more positive. My mobility. I sleep better-getting out of bed feeling better in mornings. Taking less pain meds, including less nsaids too.
(post script as of 2015: Total weight loss over 180lbs, A1c 5.1 and completely normal labs)


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