I’m 32 years old, weigh 206 pounds, have type 2 diabetes, and my doctor said I need to lose weight. I have tried different weight loss programs, and I not sure how to lose the weight. I have two children (a 12 year old boy and a six year old girl) and a husband who are not supporting me at all. My husband tells me I’m fat all the time, the kids laugh and say the same.

I don’t want my kids to think it’s okay to be fat. My son told me it was embarrassing to have a fat mom, and I’m the guidance secretary at his school. I would like any help you can give. Is there anything you can tell me to help me lose the weight?

It is important to realize that you are certainly not alone in your struggle to manage your weight. Successful weight loss programs involve not only nutrition therapy but also tips for adding exercise, increasing activity levels, modifying behaviors and managing stress along with emotions. There are many programs which attempt to address these needs, and your choice will depend on many factors, including what is available to you in your local area.

In an effort to optimize both blood sugar control and weight loss, you may wish to start by contacting a dietitian/Certified Diabetes Educator who can address your individualized needs and/or help you adapt your program of choice to meet your needs. Your physician, local healthcare facility, or American Diabetes Association affiliate should be able to refer you to an appropriate professional. Group programs such as Weight Watchers can be a great choice as these provide the important component of support which you have noted may be lacking at this time. You may prefer to follow a physician-developed program outlined in books such as The South Beach Diet (written by cardiologist Arthur Agatston, MD); “Thin For Good” (by Fred Pescatore, MD) or The Schwarzbein Principle (written by endocrinologist Diana Schwarzbein, MD). These approaches consider carbohydrate intake, blood sugar management, weight loss, and cardiovascular health, emphasizing lifelong changes, not just quick and easy weight loss. For success, it is important to recognize this fact.

Involve your family in your healthy lifestyle choices by sharing your goals with them. Point out that good nutritional choices and increased activity apply to everyone, not just to people who need to lose weight. Help your children to feel an important part of your weight loss and diabetes management efforts by providing them a role (perhaps helping with meal planning &/or preparation, making healthy snack suggestions and choices, helping you to avoid temptations). Tell them how much their support and assistance mean to you. Children learn lifelong behavioral and health habits from their parents so remind your husband of this. You can both be great role models in this regard. Make it “family fun time” by choosing calorie-burning activities that your entire family can do together such as walks or family bike rides. Plan to spend active time together at the local park or playground. Consider getting your entire family involved in a 10,000 STEP program which uses a pedometer to track the number of steps taken in a day.

You can use your weight loss and activity goals as a way to improve the health of your entire family.

DMW