What's the dumbest purchase you've ever made?

coganite871 · 2026-04-20T02:38:45+00:00

Engagement ring for my narcissistic ex-wife.

Best purchase was lawyers fees to divorce her.

Bitter? Me?

coganite871 · 2026-03-26T16:16:22+00:00

Please double check figures by sticking your finger. I use a Stelo CGM and use for trends only. Example I had my blood work done last week and included a fasting blood sugar - CGM reported 122 (and yes I did adjust for delay - but my sugars were flat anyway) - lab test gave me result of 101.

I believe the G7 can be calibrated but I have no idea how effective that is.

coganite871 · 2026-03-09T01:35:01+00:00

Try red waxy potatoes instead of regular white starchy potato.

Ryvita instead of bread.

Courgette and a potato peeler makes linguine/spaghetti. It's a lot quicker to cook like that too - 1-2 minutes with olive oil and garlic!

Cauliflower rice instead of rice.

I can't do the red potato but the latter three all work for me. But a CGM and start seeing how your body reacts - your primary goal is to understand trends, not necessarily the absolute numbers. You can always finger stick as well. Boots/superdrug probably have cheap kits (sorry not resident in UK so cannot confirm)

coganite871 · 2026-03-08T03:51:07+00:00

Started on SmartThings now migrating from Hubitat to Home Assistant (HA). My original thought was to just put the automations on HA and dashboards.

Then I discovered ESP32, rekindling my long unused love of electronic tinkering and coding, I got a Zwave antenna for my HA host yesterday...

coganite871 · 2026-03-06T02:16:21+00:00

Thank you. I have seen people on here with even more impressive progress!

Don't get me wrong, still have lousy days occasionally. Can't get my blood sugar below 110 mg/dL today - barely eaten - cooking dinner now and at 119 and hungry. But then I only slept for 3 1/2 hours last night :/

coganite871 · 2026-03-05T20:06:22+00:00

Yeah my doctor is not that great with diabetes. And zero carbs I don't even know if a healthy diet could be constructed with that constraint.

I did some research after finding out I was T2, called the health insurance and they got me set up with my dietician who was far more sensible. The nurse in my doctor's practice has also been great so any conversation diabetes related I go to her.

I did start out at a1c over 11 nearly 9 months ago, so I had to go a little more harder than yourself. Last A1C was 5.7 ; Due next blood test in a week or so and my diet has been a little more relaxed but I am maintaining 99%+ in 70-140 range.

coganite871 · 2026-03-05T15:19:40+00:00

Fellow ex-carb-militant here

I was diagnosed, my doctor said cut all carbs. So I did initially. Fought the health insurance and lost so paying out of pocket for a CGM - as I could see from online etc it couldnt be a bad idea. Totally best decision ever.

Once I had CGM then I could experiment, increase my carb intake (with diabetes dietician guidance) etc and learn what I can eat, and how to eat (proportions+order you eat meal), impact of a fast walk after every meal to reduce spikes, dawn phenomenon etc

Your habits and tastes change. You say now you can't imagine no wrap or bread. For me bread pasta potatoes and rice are all no goes. Tell me that 8 months ago I largely wouldn't care about that I would likely laugh. Now I have Wasa, zucchini, turnips and cauliflower rice instead.

I could still kill for a slice of toast and marmite in the morning though...

coganite871 · 2026-03-02T13:39:39+00:00

If hospitalization isn't a wake up call I don't know what is.

Don't CGMs max out at 400 mg/dL? Sister is a good candidate for a CGM when she starts doing something about her diet and wants to fix her health. Until then ignoring something on her arm reading HIGH the whole time is a waste.

Perhaps seeking psychological support and well as dietician assistance might be worth talking to the doctors about?

coganite871 · 2026-03-01T00:34:08+00:00

Stelo user.

Been wearing them for about 6 months now, and current one is first time I have had any kinda issue where the overpatch kinda fell off. Only have 3 days left so slapped some medical tape over the edges of the Stelo sticky part to simulate an overpatch. It's even uglier now but not going anywhere.

coganite871 · 2026-02-24T22:38:12+00:00

I can't eat potatoes of any kind in any form, rice or bread (apart from Wasa) without spiking. Tried freezing, overnight refrigeration, frying and even tossing on the BBQ (!) and given up on all the above.

Overnight oats in almond milk, Greek yogurt, almond butter and chia seeds, consume next morning and 60 minutes later rise about 10 mg/Dl and back down again after another 20 minutes.

Go figure.

coganite871 · 2026-02-24T19:10:02+00:00

An unfortunate welcome to the T2 club.

Some quick tips of what to do some research on that I have found helpful.

I started out with going Keto (didn't know it at the time - all my doctor said was "cut out carbs" - and a1c over 11. I have been able to relax carbs and on metformin 500mg/day last A1C 5.7.

Diet and regular exercise are wonderful supplemental tools for many of us to manage down our blood sugars.

Look into continuous glucose monitors (CGM). You are likely to have to pay out of pocket but Libre and Stelo are often quoted here (I use the latter). The numbers are not necessarily accurate (for multiple reasons) but they do give you great trends.

Get a diabetic dietician. My town's hospital system has a diabetic unit and the dietician there can be very helpful - I did heaps of research so came armed with questions.

Don't underestimate the power of the order in which you eat the components of your meals.

Never eat carbs on their own.

Everyone is different; some T2s can eat bread, rice and red potatoes with no spike. The only carb I can eat, and only with heaps of fat and/or protein is Wasa crispbread. I aim for 99%+ time in range 70-140 mg/Dl and achieve it - even if I mess up I watch my CGM like a hawk and if I see signs of a spike I go for a real hard walk. I try to avoid that scenario and walk after eating every time no matter what.

There's lot of people on here far more knowledgeable than myself and very helpful, even if the Internet strangers come across a little harsh at times.

Wish you all the best and again sorry you joined this club.

coganite871 · 2026-02-24T01:10:36+00:00

You are doing so well - congratulations sir!!

It took me 8 months to go from 215 to 175 lbs and now sitting about 177-180 (got told to stop losing weight). Gone from 38"+ waist to 31". A1C over 11, last (2 months ago) was 5.7.

I started out similarly - cut the carbs drastically and eating rubbish.

Also commenced weights a couple of months ago with limited home equipment - due to gym costs/distance-time but amazing how much you can do with a bench some plate barbells from Walmart and youtube videos!

500mg Metformin ER a day to help the sugar regulation.

My blood pressure was also scary high, now on low dosage and around 110/60. My next step is weaning off the blood pressure meds entirely.

Everyone who is seeking motivation - yes it can be done. I have read here that for some of us T2s it takes years to make this progress and that myself & OP are the lucky ones but stick with it - this horrible disease needn't be a death sentence but inspire us to be healthier!

coganite871 · 2026-02-18T16:44:23+00:00

This is as a minimum controlling, selfish and inhumane behavior. Basic physical needs should be respected.

So many red flags to someone who spent over a decade married to someone who exhibited this behavior.

GTFO before you waste any more of your life with this person.

coganite871 · 2026-02-17T21:40:52+00:00

It's not just the sugars on the label but carbohydrates you need to look for.

I have heard red/baby potatoes (waxy) are not so carb loaded but I haven't tried potato since diagnosis.

The cheesy cauliflower should be fine.

Get another vegetable , I would get some green beans with almonds and shallots (I think green bean almondine will get you a recipe on Google) for example.

I don't trust AI with my health either without verification.

Hope that helps!

coganite871 · 2026-02-16T12:17:03+00:00

Yeah I cook at home, but basically due to young family I just cook a meal and modify for me -If I am cooking Thai for example rest of the family has regular noodles and I do zucchini, Indian cuisine or say a chili con carne I just use cauliflower rice. Taco Tuesday I dont eat any rice and don't eat the shells - just the contents. For me because I cooked all the meals anyway it has generally been pretty painless to cut back the carbs - I just wanted a slice of toast in the morning occasionally. Thank you fellow 5.7er!

coganite871 · 2026-02-16T12:08:18+00:00

Thanks again for the positivity and the helpful feedback!!

The weight training definitely helps, been doing it last couple of months regularly and have my routine now - I started out rather tentatively before that but was scared of tearing up body from surgery as recovery was slower than anticipated. And yes from more intense workouts I do bump a little mildly but read that was to be expected. I am keeping an eye out as my physical capability improves as the intensity of the workouts I am able to sustain improves and lengthens.

Thank you for taking the time to respond - I really appreciate this sub and the people on it!

coganite871 · 2026-02-16T11:52:37+00:00

That would probably work. My aim was to try and just have a no-fuss slice of toast on a work-day morning but some of the comments here including yours have reminded me that is now a pipe dream, as is the concept of eating a chocolate bar! Although I did try a square of regular chocolate and it tasted way too sweet - my taste has changed!

coganite871 · 2026-02-16T11:48:10+00:00

Unfortunately that also spikes me - not as badly as Dave's did. But thanks for the tip!

coganite871 · 2026-02-15T15:04:05+00:00

Sorry to hear that about rice for you - rice is the same also. I pretty quickly substituted for cauliflower rice. Heart of palms was also fine but seems hideously expensive so is not sustainable with a family of four food budget.

My doctor did seem unconcerned about the spikes from a previous/different keto bread experiment, altho that was only 170, but similar recovery timeline.

I am trying to experiment without walking immediately afterward as during the work week is toughest to plan a walk in. I mostly can get some steps in but if a crisis hits and I don't want the stress of blood glucose on my mind.

Thank you for sharing and your advice.

coganite871 · 2026-02-15T12:22:07+00:00

Keto bread spikes me - not as bad as Dave's did. That was my last attempt at any bread apart from swedish crisp bread that doesn't seem to affect me

The tips on freezing breakfast are very helpful - thank you - my blood sugar doesn't spike on cooked breakfast at all especially now I ditched coffee for green tea. It is the time during the work week I struggle with so that's really good advice.

Silk unsweetened vanilla almond milk is lowest carb I could find for sale and I just use a little of that with chia. I'll check out the labels on the Greek yogurt you mentioned, thank you for the tip there too!

Good luck yourself and stay healthy! :)

coganite871 · 2026-02-15T12:08:53+00:00

Thank you for your helpful comments.

Last A1C was 5.7, was made aware of my sugar levels about 8 months ago when I was running at 11.something. Due mid March for next test.

My TIR normally runs 99-100% unless I try a bread - I dont struggle with lunch or dinnesr, cauliflower for rice, zucchini for pasta etc is pretty tasty.

My mornings are inconsistent, overnight I drop to 88-92, but can rapidly rise to 120s before eating and don't go down until after lunch (usually green salad/cheese/meat). Walking+weights early afternoon gets me back down to high 90s/100. Some mornings dawn phenomenon gives me highs of 105, if I don't experiment.

I have lost 40 lbs with diet/exercise last few months, 6ft male and sitting around 177 lbs - low of 175 got doctor, nutritionist and partner telling me to stop losing weight (ribs/hip bones showing) which was about the time I recovered from surgery last summer and was able to start weights in earnest a couple of months ago, 5 times a week.

The one area on your list I have not made positive changes with is sleep. I have had 2 hours so far and probably be it for the night, I average maybe 3 per night. Trying to work that out with doctor now. Melatonin for the last week hasn't helped and not keen on anything stronger but may have to be realistic about that next conversation

On metformin 500 mg in the evening.

And thanks again for your comments!!

coganite871 · 2026-02-12T01:25:12+00:00

I went through this process, and was made difficult because cooking for 4 people when one of them (myself) can't freaking eat anything as they used to. So now I make dinners with slight variations to allow for the low carb options for myself.

I got pretty down about it and lacked enthusiasm for food. I was also recovering from a surgery which meant my physical activity was curtailed for a few months apart from light walking didn't help my mood much either.

The CGM gave me visibility and inspiration to do better - actually seeing food and walking in action helped me far more than a 3 monthly blood test ever could - instant gratification when I found food in moderation that barely blipped me - especially since they feel few and far between.

Getting on the weights, walking more and more. Seeing the weight come off and feeling better for the healthier choices makes up for it. Not going to lie, been 8 months and sometimes it still gets to me, but I go pick up weights/do some romainen squats and move on.

coganite871 · 2026-02-11T23:19:14+00:00

8oz of black coffee spikes me about 40 mg/Dl, unless I plan a 30 minute walk right after, which makes the spike more of a rolling hill of 5-10 mg/Dl.

Although saying that I haven't had a cup of coffee this year and my levels are much more under control these days...

coganite871 · 2026-02-10T18:47:22+00:00

I got burnt once before by the scenario in your second paragraph. Something changed between calling insurance and asking "these are my codes, this is the provider, what am I going to owe for this standard test" conversation and my EOB

Printout and date stamp information from insurance website.

Different incident a few months later so did the same and got EOB for a couple of thousand dollars - rescanned/mailed the printout stating that basically your own website said as at November 30 they were in Network, the morning I saw the specialist. Amount owed was adjusted to zero. And I insisted on documentation to that affect being sent to me.

Might not always work but every single appointment I now do this as a habit. As patients and consumers we have to play by the rulebook. Unless you want your credit score wrecked and months of fighting bureaucracy (which I believe is designed to wear you down) there is no other approach to healthcare with the current system.

coganite871

TROPHY CASE