Health and wellbeing touch everyone’s life differently. This is one person’s story.
When Lele Jaro was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes in 2006, she did not leave the physician's office fully informed of how her disease influenced her lifetime, or was fully equipped to manage her condition.
"I didn't really know how to feel about it when I discovered I had type 2. I've been really young, and naive about the whole diagnosis, to put it frankly," she remembers. "They've given me some medicine, some instruction about eating if you have diabetes.
Her doctor said that since she was in her teens, she probably was living with this problem. "Diabetes type 2 symptoms steadily grow without you actually knowing what damage your body is already suffering," she explains.
"I thought I could overcome anything at the end of the day. Only when I discovered that type 2 diabetes is a serious, chronic disease did I get pregnant at 29," she says.
She succeeded in losing around 60 pounds by 2008 after working out and following her doctor's diet advice.
When it came to managing their diabetes, it was simply not to rely on weight loss. Although she followed the advise of her physician, it became increasingly obvious for Lele that she would have to take things into her own hands and establish a way of managing her diabetes without relying on medication.
"With regard to type 2 (diabetes), the most widespread misperception is that managing it by losing weight is simple," she explains. "Although I understand that weight loss will surely help you manage it, other issues arise, and weight loss isn't the end solution to the problem."
This is Not Just About Weigh Loss
"I recognized weight loss. However it was another challenge to manage my blood sugars," explains Lele. "Although I had reduced weight I had very high blood glucose. Every day I used about 100 to 110 insulin units to control my type 2 diabetes."
Finally, she realized how crucial the amount you eat is in terms of diabetes care, but what you eat is also quite effective.
Lele realized that she did not have enough food and medication to get her health where it was to be, and went to the internet. She discovered about the possible benefits of a shift to a keto diet on a Reddit channel.
Though skeptical, her physicians permitted her to try out the keto diet, and Lele hasn't looked back since.
A keto diet is a low-carbon, high-fat diet that was connected to insulin-sensitive improvements and better weight loss rates, both of which are good aspects to manage type 2 diabetes. The reduction of carb consumption leads to a metabolism known as ketosis, which produces energy ketones that burn fat — instead of carbohydrates.
"There was a difficult adjustment to the keto... But I really wanted to shoot Keto, particularly if it helped with my type 2," Lele remembers.
Now She Feels Liberated and Wants to Keep it That Way
Lele's A1C readings were at 10 percent when she started the keto diet. They were reduced to 6 percent by six months later. Now she doesn't have to take in herself four times a day — she adds that she feels emancipated by the events and handles the resulting contusions.
"I am not on insulin any longer and because of keto, I have decreased my meds. I have never had to struggle with trying to find a location to inject or cope with my belly's bruises," she says. "I know that might sound stupid, but in my wallet I keep a photo of my old insulin syringes. I look at it to remember before keto what I had to accomplish. It's just that, and I remember how far I have gone when I have days of self-doubt."
It wasn't all easy, that said.
"The hardest part in living with type 2 is to realize that you constantly have a severe chronic disease," explains Lele. "I never thought about my type 2 diabetes a day ago."
From monitoring symptoms of hyper- and hypoglycemia and dealing with a weakened immune system to trying to enjoy a regular meal, she says that there’s always a constant reminder: “When it comes to social gatherings, it’s almost depressing because you’re obsessing about what you should, and can, eat. It’s a constant battle in your head.”
She also needs to reassess and learn how to manage her diabetes from the Lele relationship to food. "I've suffered for a long time with binge eating — and in over a year I'm glad to say I haven't been binging. But improper eating choices can occasionally lead to something greater," she says.
"I have regained some weight because of the fact that I've got cheats here and there - particularly while on vacation and around friends and family! I'm now returning to the basics and reducing the weight I've got, I hope this time around I'll be far better," Lele said.
How do I keep going?
"Excellent is not going to come suddenly, and I know I'll finally achieve my goals by working hard," Lele says. And becoming a mother definitely helps when it comes to finding motivation: "My son enables me to keep track of my life. To make sure I'm always here for him, I need to get healthier for my son.," she said.
If you are interested in testing the keto diet or already follow the diet, Lele urges that you remember:
1. Keep it easy
"Surely try to cling to an idea of 'full foods'," Lele advises. "Try your utmost to avoid eating comfortably. I understand that life might be busy, and at first a protein bar is quite attractive. But I would definitely recommend that people strive to have a better grasp on it with more whole meals."
2. You don't have to add extra fat necessarily
Lele notes that while keto is a "high fat" diet, it is vital to remember the utilization of body fat as a power source, not the fat that's on your plate. "To stick to keto you do not necessarily need to add further fats to your diet. You don't actually have to add butter in order to 'more Keto' your meal," she explains, for example, if it comprises of avocado, bacon and eggs.
3. Prepare your Meals
"The preparation of food can aid you, if you have time! It will make it easier for you to stick to Keto and your objectives, knowing that you know exactly what you are eating that day or week," she explains.
4. Bring food for yourself
It may be tough to find ceto friendly meals during social events — think about packing your own snacks. "When I know my family or friends at the restaurant, I usually check through the menu in advance and see if I can eat anything," Lele explains. "Salads are generally safe with a non-marinated protein and ranch or other low-carb dressing. In the restaurant there are many hidden carbs! ”
5. It takes time, remember
"You drop a lot of waterweight at first with keto, and this might be exhilarating. You will notice it after a while, and you may become demotivated," adds Lele. "Don't worry - just continue doing what you do."
Lele is the first person to recognize that it requires time to adapt to a new diet and considerations to ensure it works.
"I knew that I hadn't really had to be careful about what I was eating from now on by injecting insulin," she said. "To cover that carb-loaded food' mentality, 'Oh I guess I'll inject extra insulin myself'—it's gone for me. It was awesome not to do this more, but it took some time to get used to it simultaneously."
"If you are dealing with type 2, I would highly recommend that you talk to your physician and see if they can work with you," Lele says. "In more ways than one, Keto was life saving for me."
"To modify your life is never too tard."
Lele Jaro has been on the ketogenic diet for more than 2 years, and has successfully got off insulin to help her type 2 diabetes. Her health journey on Instagram is documented with keto-friendly diet ideas, suggestions and motivations for workouts. On her journey, she has shed over 80 pounds and encourages others to try and better their health. Connect to her on your Facebook or YouTube channel.