Everyone I know who has had the same health situation, and made the changes you have talked about, have been successful.

And they love the new them enough to stick with it. One guy; I would say he looks 10 years younger, he probably looks 15 years younger, and is really enjoying his fit healthy new life.

I rode 50 miles on Saturday on my touring bike with a friend who's a nurse and works some wicked hours. I think she's about 43 or 44. She described a moment a year plus ago where she realized she was starting to take the same pain meds her older patients were taking and felt like crap every day. Sore, tired, etc.

Two weekends ago she did the Seattle to Portland bike ride in one day. She feels completely different, no pain from her arthritis, plenty of energy, etc. She's now in better shape than her co workers in their 20's and 30's. She literally talks about cycling changing her life. If you start exercising and continue to increase your fitness it will help your diet. You won't want to put garbage in to your body.

Jerry,

You beat me too it. I rode 75 miles this weekend and have been riding regularly for 12 years. Prior to that, I wasn't obese or anything, but I was not in good aerobic shape. Since getting back into cycling in earnest in 2000, I have ridden 100 miles on consecutive days at least 5 times and I just love the time on the bike.

The thing about cycling is to start riding without feeling pressure to match anyone's pace. There will always be someone that is stronger and faster. When you start, you just need to turn the pedals for as long as you can. The other great thing about cycling is that, if you really get into it, you will be forced to constantly think about hydration, nutrition and electrolytes. If you apply that to your time off the bike as well, you are on your way to a healthier lifestyle.

Check out the zone diet by Barry Sears. It will help you eat like your ancestors, fresh unprocessed foods in the proper proportions. It works well at keeping your blood sugar regulated.

According to some recent studies, real cane sugar doesn't have the same negative effect as high fructose corn syrup. I will post links after I go back and find them. Found it on arstechnica.com not some fly by night website so I would think they are somewhat trustworthy.

exercise and diet.

for such a simple recipe..it is awfully difficult. good luck!!

you dont want to mess around with diabetes. it is a horrible affliction. your kidneys take a beating..your capillaries take a beating. horrible.

Is this the one Brent?

Zone Diet | Home of Anti-Inflammatory Nutrition

Yes, though I have only read the two books and not seen the other...stuff.

It takes work, but I can tell you from personal experience that yuo do have better mental performance and better control of your weight. Jennifer Aniston was on it a long time, don't know if she still is. Many olympic athletes used it through the 90s and into the 00s. Don't know if they still do. His portion sizes are based on % body fat instead of the BMI.

eating in five-six tiny meals a day is fantastic strategy too.

you dont load up your system with a big food load..but simply dose up in smaller portions. you graze!

i hope i never become per-diabetic or worse.

CONGRATS!!!! I had my last on at 1600, October 12, 2011. I was a 7 stick a day smoker but it has made a HUGE difference.

I used to run alot. IT band problems ended that. Walking is good but take your time and enjoy the endorphin benefits, but just be patient. Good luck.