On 9/16/2015 6:22 PM, Don Y wrote:
On 9/16/2015 4:03 PM, Muggles wrote:

[attrs snipped]

[...]
My grandmother was insulin dependent and her bs would get between
300-400 at times.

Not sure why Dr.s want people to take meds when they can control the
type 2 with diet and exercise.

Because they are realists: they know it is much more likely that
a given patient will take a *pill* than exercise, modify diet,
lifestyle, etc.

[I'm deliberately ignoring any financial incentives they may have from
drug companies!]

I routinely ask my MD (annual physicals) what things I should do to
"improve" (not even trying to "optimize"!) my state of health.

On one occasion many years ago, he spouted the "exercise three times
a week" mantra -- three 30 minute sessions. I told him that I walk
regularly.

"Yeah, but how long do you spend?"
"56 minutes on each trip"
"How far?"
"3.8 miles"
"How often?"
"5 days per week, about 19 miles"
"Yeah, but how *fast* do you walk?"
"almost exactly 4 miles per hour" (most folks' average pace is *3* MPH!)

A moment of silence. Then:

"Well, it would be better if you could do *20* miles!"

I damn near laughed in his face: "A minute ago, you were
hoping I would exercise 90 (3 x 30) minutes per week. Now, I've
told you I'm doing almost four times that -- and at a vigorous
level! Yet, you're not happy with that but want me to squeeze
yet another mile into my schedule..."

I.e., he was *so* expecting me to say that I *don't* exercise
that he was initially just hoping to get 30 minutes, thrice
weekly! The idea of asking/telling me to put in 5 or more
hours each week was just WAY too much for him to expect! OTOH,
seeing that I was willing to make that big of a commitment, he
figured he could try to push for 5 hours and 15 minutes (the
added time required for that 20th mile)

A friend has weight, diet, heart, stroke, etc. problems. He's
outfitted one of the bedrooms in his home with a bunch of
exercise equipment. His wife *dusts* it periodically as it
sees no *use*. But, he probably figures he's made an
*attempt* by spending the money for the stuff...

One thing my Dr told me today was that I was doing great as far as
exercise, weight loss, and diet, and to just keep doing what I'm doing.
He wanted me to take the meds as a preventative and to help shave a few
numbers off of my bs readings. shrugs Not sure what more I can do! LOL

--
Maggie