herman:

thanks for the welcome message. i've gotten several and it's nice to have people respond and welcome me so quickly. I've never belonged to any support groups either in person or on the internet. i actually don't like being on the computer that much and i already spend too much time in front of it at work! :) HOWEVER i want to connect in part because i want to give back to people who are living with this condition. i've learned lot over the years and have experimented with diet and studied nutrition on my own as well as alternative therapies - not necessarily for diabetes tho i am learning how to eat/prepare raw foods. it's helped me tremendously.

i'd stay away from phen phen - is that how you spell it? - it has ephedrine in it which isn't bad in itself but high doses without any controls can cause heart attacks etc. not a good product. eat well and exercise. you can't bypass the basics. they're aren't any shortcuts.

where are you? your pictures look like virginia... lovely