I am beginning to think this is going to be an uphill battle !!! After a month on a low carb diet (under 50 mg carbs a day) I have only lost a couple of kilos !! Like many women my age (almost 67) I have been on and off numerous diets over the years - you name it I've tried it - and similarly (like most women who did this) my weight has usually crept back to a fairly typical place for me on the scales.
I have a BMI of usually between 26-27. While I realise this is not necessarily too drastic - placing me in the 'overweight' and not 'obese' category I have tried on and off to ensure I don't have to get an entirely new lot of clothes to cover an expanding body and that i can keep fit enough to move around comfortably in our large garden and domestic orchard (which is pretty big by most standards). BUT recently in an effort to counteract some slow but steady weight gain over the last year or so and in response to having to take a higher dose of Pred for a couple of flares I realised I had to attempt to reduce a few kilos. I felt fine about doing this as at the outset of my GCA diagnosis I undertook a similar diet and pretty quickly (over 3 months) lost 11 kilos without what felt like much effort at all. This time has however been very different - like pulling teeth almost hardly any movement down on the scales and my waist a mere inch less - when usually this area reduces very fast for me.
I am currently still at 15 mg of Pred after a period of having to go back up to 25 mg to get control of a flare and tapering back down again to here. I have never been able to get below 11.5 mg on this two and a half year journey so far. Given the duration is likely to be pretty much the same amount of time again for me before a remission and that my weight is going to obviously be more difficult to reduce than ever I am not feeling very optimistic today.
Regardless I intend to persevere with piles of fresh (we have easy access to 'organic'/herb and pesticide free) fruit and veg and our own fantastic bantam eggs. I also believe SOMETIMES it is OK to have a 'treat' but not too often. I am certainly feeling much better since i adopted this diet again - more energy and less fatigue so that is fantastic BUT I just WISH my scales (which are new and hopefully reliable) would register a small but regular reduction which would be so encouraging .....
Best wishes to everyone
Rimmy
PS This pic is by an NZ artist Thomas Gulliver (1932) of the beautiful Pied Fantail - I love the very 'Japanese' stylisation of this image.
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Rimmy
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I feel your pain about not being able to lose weight when trying so hard.
I have been on a strict diet for almost 4 weeks. I have lost 16 lbs. My problem is I can't lose the inches as I once did. Clothes are getting big so something is happening. I just don't
see it on the tape measure. I have to wonder if the prednisone is messing things up?
I have not been able to get below 13 &1/2mg of prednisone after 2 years and 3 months. I go down to 13 and after a week a flair strikes. My dr. wants me to try all sorts of dmards. I have tried two of them and don't want to take anymore.
I feel some better since being on low carb high protein diet. My husband says he sees a difference. I seem to have a few more 'good' days then I did before the diet.
So, I just keep plugging away and hope for the best.
Thanks Linny3 - some great similarities in our timing and experiences so far - it is always good to be able to relate so closely to another's journey !! Hope things continue to go well for you.
Hello, as I said above, don’t forget the Pred changes your body shape with any fat getting deposited round the middle. The classic Pred shape being something like a round thing with another round thing for the head (moon face and fat neck) with cocktail sticks for limbs such is the muscle wastage there too. Ban the tape.
pmr-gca-northeast.org.uk/gr... then go to the Summer Newsletter 2016 and on page 4 you will find an article called 'Demystifying Diabetes in relation to PMR abd GCA.
You can download the whole article.
I have continued to put this information in answer to this eternal problem with Pred and Diabetes. If we all knew about this when we started on pred, I doubt that we would then run into the problem later on when we have been on pred for a long time.
Hey Ho, this is a long unending learning curve, bet we will get there and so will the researchers looking for cause and cure.............in the meantime we help ourselves and others as much as possible with factual information.
PS If you put Demystifying Diabetes in the search box, top right hand page, it will take you to the other post which gives a more detailed explanation.
However if you use a smaller plate you eye is deceived and when the plate is empty you feel full. 😉
Thanks - luckily no sign of diabetes (yet) for me and I am on one of the lower carbs versions of low carb diets around. My plate is still quite full however but of raw greens mainly so at least I can chew lots and 'pretend' I am eating (ha ha !!)
You may need to increase the fat content too. I have following the low carb high fat approach. I have lost 2 stone in under 2 years very slowly with minor changes to my energy input I.e. I have not been craving any different foods. I have single cream mixed with skim or water in porridge, full fat Greek yogurt, a good dollop of olive oil in salads and veggie oil in stir fried etc. The fat slows down the release of the carb from the food. Fat, especially when combined with good fibre slows down the release of carbs - stops big spikes in blood glucose and helps you feel full for longer.
Salt - I had to have virtually no salt until I got well below 10mg due to the fluid retention. I couldn’t even have sauces.
Measuring round the waist - I’d say don’t bother because with Pred, fat that you do have will be concentrated in specific places in the body and the waist is one of them.
And yes it did increase with Pred, but it has now decreased along with the other measurements since coming of the Pred and losing quite a lot of weight.
However, it’s still a size or two bigger than I would like it to be- my hips are fine, but buying fitted skirts (so don’t bother, go for a flared one) and trousers/jeans are a nightmare ...fit on the waist, swim around bum/hips; fit the hips/bum too tight on waist.
It was always this way ......oh for an hourglass figure or at least one that fits the norm!
Good job I’m a competent seamstress, but it is so bl@@#£y annoying at times!
I always managed to maintain a waistline, even before my recent 30lb weight loss. It seems to be where I lose weight first (or at least the most notable).
Classic hourglass shape, full on top and bottom, slim waistline. Now if I could just grow 6” taller (sigh). Then my BMI wouldn’t be so “off the charts”.
Yup, me too!!! I can't buy the "petite" clothes even though I am shorter than even the height they are designed for! They are far too short from shoulder to waist - normal cut fits there and are half way to the ground below the knee- or I have to cut off a good 5 inches from trouser legs!
My problem is finding trousers with narrow legs at the thigh......shop assistants agree with me they are mainly made for big thighs!.....with a back problem can't wear jeggings, can't pull off second leg without pain.....what's a girl to do!!
Would love to go back....especially Lake Como!......
Have always had slim legs/arms....but not in the middle, I consider myself bumblebee shaped!!......since losing the weight, it has come off arms and legs as well....gone done at least one size.......but less appetite too with gallbladder issue, but I make myself eat, as I really don't want to lose anymore weight......
I am 5" 3ish...but the plus sized clothes seem to assume that your arms and legs grow in proportion with your required size. Everything has 3 plus inches more in sleeves in leg length.
Send me your trouser leg cuttings! With a 36” inside leg I cannot get trousers on the high street, nor long sleeved blouses. Specialist online tall girl ‘shops’ only for me.
Where are all these people that the ‘average’ clothes fit?
You say you are under 50g carbs a day. Some people will lose weight on that, but it might be too much for you at the moment. It was with me on a low carb diet, and I had to stick to 20-30g to lose weight without constantly plateauing. You could start low, say 20g a day, and gradually increase while monitoring your weight loss to see where you plateau, You also mention you have a fruit and veg orchard. I would try cutting back on the fruit too as that can be a sticking point on a low carb diet. Good luck!
I’ve never really bothered about weight/carbs etc before PMR/Prednisolone but can you give me an example of how 20g a day would look? Any example would be fine.
I find that counting carbs or calories is a pain, and personally I never follow meal plans, but if you follow the low carb keto diet rules you should be within the 20g limit to start with. Foods to absolutely avoid are rice, pasta, potatoes and bread. Foods allowed in very small amounts are berries, nuts and vegetables other than leafy greens. Foods to eat freely are meats, fish, eggs, cheese, fats, and leafy greens. If you really want to count carbs, there are carb counters and lots of keto meal plans online. Also helpfui to have ketostix to test urine for ketosis. My experience with low carb dieting is that the most successful approach is to start off very strict for a couple of weeks, then gradually add more carbs, and don't go mad on the calories. Low carb dieting doesn't suit everyone, and there may be medical reasons, such as high blood pressure or diabetes, for not doing it, so best to check with your GP.
We all get confused between low calorie, low carb and what is considered a healthy food. Apples are healthy foods and low calorie, but not low carb, and it seems counter intuitive to avoid them. But they - and other fruits other than berries - can sabotage your efforts.
Yes sadly it seems so and I have considered that. I have relented a few times with a small half apple cut through a raw veg salad for example and a small one for a snack - but it is so easy for the numbers to ramp up. I have reconsidered to do the low calorie version but this has worked better for me in the past and I felt much less hungry on low carbs. I will just try to be firmer - thanks !
I am diabetic but after short discussion with diabetes nurse was fully supported to have some fruit. I have half an apple in my salad. But have fibre and fat in the salad to slow absorption. I am not a moderate person in any part of my life. A life time of yoyo dieting probably contributed to insulin resistance. I cannot completely change the way I eat anymore and think i won't go back to things when requisite weight lost. So I have to be entirely honest with myself about adjustments I can make perhaps forever and ones I can't. Not eating fruit is a no no for me. I love the seasonal fruits. I eat rasps and strawberries with cream. I try and avoid bananas as they are fast release but I will have half with my strawberries and cream. BUT I do that if I have eaten a very low carb main meal - just rainbow coloured veg, edemame noodles for example. I also have a bit of chocolate sometimes - usually nuts with it. I don't always eat in moderation - my salad was ginormous a couple of days ago- I had 2 table spoons of cous cous but lots of oil and good quality balsamic.
Yes I can see that and given my last HBA1C test was still in normal range a few weeks ago but rising I thought the low carb road was a better choice for me.
I agree, but it's still advisable to talk to your GP before starting a low carb diet, as insulin doses may have to be adjusted over time. Similarly, those on BP meds may need to adjust them, as a low carb diet can reduce BP.
Insulin doses have been changing all the time for me. Not just related to food. I was put on a new drug for me and it's put my bg up by two. My blood pressure has come down too.
In the past i have replied to people who insisted they were eating low carb but lots of fruit - usually grapes! Once you eat fruit the utilisable carbs mount up in minutes!!!!
I don't count in any way now - but I know what I can eat without thinking about or what I should only eat now and again.
The ketostix pinks33 mentions are probably not worth it for anyone on pred - because the pred causes these random spikes in blood sugar that you can do nothing about and as soon as they happen - you are out of ketosis.
Never knew that about ketostix, so thank you for that info. I still have a batch wating to be used up before expiry date, so will use them with caution from now on.
Dr Michael Mosley, the guru of low carb, says you can have apples, pears and berries but avoid all the other tropical fruit because they're too high in carbs/sugar
I'm sure that may well work for the healthy person using the low carb approach. But pred changes the way we process carbs so the rules change.
Since different people require lower amounts of carbohydrate to avoid weight gain, even more so to lose weight, you have to count the available carbs. Every little counts - and if you need to be under 30g of utilisable carbs to lose weight, an apple that has IRO 20g of such carb can easily leave only a very narrow margin for other carbs. Sticking to loads of above ground veg and limiting even the less carby fruits makes for a much more filling and varied diet.
• in reply to
What kinds of things are your favourite food to eat....
My favourite food is vegetables, believe it or not. I also love full fat dairy - cheese, yoghurt. I basically eat most things. For me starchy carbs and grains are the "satisfying" and filling part of any diet, and a meal doesn't seem complete without them. I have successfully done low carb in the past, but always missed my carbs. But we keep trying, don't we?
I think that's why it's good to understand that you may have eaten 80g carbs at one point so half that allows you a slice or two of bread. Or new potatoes etc.
• in reply to
For Me, My Weaknesses are!
Sugar in my tea
Roast Potatoes on a Sunday
A little bit of Chocolate, not every day only if l ‘need’ it!
I’ve cut out white bread, pasta & rice.
I only have two slices of bread a day crusts cut off, one at breakfast & one at lunchtime.
No mid morning snack, maybe just One Biscuit in the afternoon with my Tea & rarely eat dessert!
Lots of fresh veggies, salads, meat & fish!.......
• in reply to
See my post. 20g very restrictive!!
• in reply to
2 toasts at 30g for full slices!!
• in reply to
When l was a Student Nurse back in the last Century, l worked on the Children’s Ward for quite a while & used to do the ‘Diabetic Teas’ all their food was counted in ‘Lines’ a slice of bread without crusts 1Line; with crusts 2Lines; funny how l never forgot that. Obviously the way they counted the Carbs 😉
Why on earth were the crusts the same value as the white stuff? I remember my grandfather having a metal template for the size of the slice of bread - but obviously no-one had explained he also had to have a normal thickness, He only ate doorstops!
I think this was white sliced bread & we had to measure their banana’s.......
• in reply to
😂😂😂 you wouldn't be able to put the bread out now As I understand it, many many years ago high protein diets were recommended for diabetics. But bread fills and is seen as comforting in countries on all continents.
Yes disappointing not to be able to eat fruit very often - especially as we currently have kilos of wonderful organic Gravenstein apples - which are this year super-sweet (sad). But I am aware some fruit is OK if it is limited and in small quantities - say half an apple - ha ha !!
You could always switch to a low calorie diet, with some more fruit allowed, but still not loads! They say in the long term both diets work equally well - if you stick to them. The advantages of a low carb diet for me at least is that it takes away that awful constant hunger, and in the early days you see the results sooner.
Yes I like the lack of hunger so will try to stick to the low carb version BUT may sometimes eat an apple instead of something high fat even if it means a slower weight loss.
We do need the pleasure factor in food, don't we? A very little of what we fancy does us good. If I had your apple orchard I wouldn't have the willpower to go low carb.
They work equally well for healthy people - but the pred changes the equation. The low carb is the reason you don;t feel so hungry - and low cal is difficult without all the "diet" products. The artificial sweetener factor is also a problem.
I am thinking you mean that when we are on pred, we need twice the will power to stay on a low calorie diet, because pred increases hunger? What problem do artificial sweeteners cause?
Artificial sweeteners - they body still thinks its a sugar/carbs and blood sugar does rise.
If I am honest I just threw myself into the whoooo hooooo steroids put weight on...I can eat what I want and blame the steroids. That lasted 6 weeks then I clamped down.
Pred changes the way your body processes carbs and also causes these random spikes of glucose to be released by the liver. When that happens, insulin is released but not all used and continues circulating - when carbs are eaten the excess insulin deposits the resulting glucose as fat stores in the usual places. It is the plunging BS level in response to the insulin produced in response to the spikes of BS that makes you hungry - it overshoots, the BS falls too low and your body craves carbs to bring the BS back up. Once you cut carbs this rollercoaster is smoothed out and after a short time the insulin production is too.
Artificial sweeteners also make your body think there is a need for insulin - it is a reflex release as you taste "sweet" but there is no sugar for the insulin to work on. The excess insulin leads to weight gain and may even cause insulin resistance in the longer term. In some people it even leads to them eating more later - the body expected more calories that didn't appear so it pushes you to eat more and they gain weight! And chemicals - but we won't go there!
The thing is that if your normal diet is based on 75% carbs - flour, sugar, pastries, bread, pasta, rice, fruits, chocolate, sweets, cakes, biscuits and so on. Then initially drop to 50% carb. Eventually 30% carbs and see how you do. Be honest write down what you are eating on average before you low carbed, then when you low carbed and then how fewer carbs you would be happy with each day. Of course Cal's important but increase fat and fibre for satisfaction. If you change what you eat but don't really enjoy it , it can be miserable and counter productive. I get weighed at the hospital every few months and that's it. I refuse to get weighed at drs because I don't want the pressure and like to use the same hospital scale. I see this for me as a long term project not the usual short term fix.
That's the issue with me on a low carb diet - it works but I don't enjoy it. I miss my bread and potatoes etc etc. I saw artificial sweeteners - such as xylitol and sugar free cola - as a lifeline and at least something pleasurable, but it seems even they lead to weight gain. But it does seem sensible to heed PMRpro's advice about the random ionsulin spikes with pred, and make an effort to lower carbs.
At least xylitol protects your teeth. It put a slippery surface on them so plaque finds it harder to stick. Thus it negates the potential damage sugar, and high blood sugar can do to teeth and gums. Costs Vs benefit and work within your own needs.
If you like potatoes, have new potatoes. Cook the night before and reheat. That slows down the release of energy. Increase the fibre and fat content if bread by eating wholewheat that's seeded. I still have a slice every now and then. The seeds and fibre again slow absorption. I like a Pepsi Max. It is one of my few pleasures so I won't give it up no matter what sweeteners do....I have tried to drink less successfully by substituting very cold fizzy water in the afternoon and evening. No need to make yourself miserable. I mentioned glycemic index of foods before. So have a link below explaining it. I try and gi load. So a whole meals carb content/gi index is balanced but I just stuff my face sometimes 😂😂😂
One way to approach it is to be disciplined in use of sweeteners and sugar from the start. Don't just cut it out all at once but taper how you sweeten things to get to a much lower level of sugar gradually. It can take months - but at any level it takes about 6 weeks to get used to the new level, the time it takes for all the taste buds to renew! After that, if you taste something at the old fully sweetened level it will feel far too sweet.
Lent is just about the right length to get from with to without if you can stick it!
We use Tetley t-bags, maybe not the posh approach but they make tea that tastes the same in any water! A travel kettle and a plastic bag of bags are buried in the middle of the checked luggage. Even had decent tea in China ...
I don't LOSE weight until I am down to 20g utlisable carb - I can maintain weight at above that though though I do also do intermittent fasting on the 16/8 basis (no breakfast).
As has been mentioned - are you sure about the 50g carb? Do you weigh and calculate? One apple can have 20g carb - healthy carb yes, but still carb. And believe me, 30g carb soon mounts up even with salad and above ground veggies and a couple of apples or a handfull of grapes bounces you over the limit without you thinking about it.
When I was losing pred/PMR associated weight I rarely managed over about 1/2lb in a week - which is the same as you have done. But almost all has stayed off. I still have a higher BMI than you - though if my legs were the length that matched my trunk length I'd be about 4 inches taller and wouldn't be obese!!!!
Slower weight loss is associated with a better longterm result - as much as anything because you have to change your eating habits to keep it off, doing it slowly probably helps you accept the changes better. Drastic changes are hard to adjust to.
Thanks PMRpro - yes I am aware of how little you need to eat of some foods before the carbs mount up - I have realised even a few dollops of milk in coffee can do that - although the suggestion is to dilute with a drop of cream. I also recognise slower is probably better in the long run and makes more sense regarding lifestyle change instead of just a 'diet'. I think I am in it for the long haul now - otherwise there'd be no point and I am in the end looking for health benefits rather than just appearance changes - which I am less concerned about than I once was. As I said above I am sad that much of the great fruit we grow ourselves - all 'organic' and delicious - I will now have to eat much much less of - but I will continue to have small amounts occasionally because fruit also has some great health benefits. I also think the more 'Mediterranean version of a keto type diet seems better so I wont eat too many saturated fats and use 'good' oils like olive instead. As my OH is a vegan lots of veg are always on the menu anyway and I'll just have to avoid the 'underground' ones. I eat fish and chicken but not red meat (haven't for years) so that is fine for me. Thank heavens for our own avocados and bantam eggs - still on the shrinking menu ...
A low cal/lowish carb version of the Mediterranean diet would seem to be a sensible choice, and then you can still take advantage of all your lovely home grown fruit and veg. You could perhaps also incorporate the 5:2 approach or some other fasting method. I think I've convinced myself too!
I am managing to loose on 80 carbs a day lost 4lb so far in 8 days I use an app called my fitness pal to keep are record and check what carbs are in what I eat. Luckily not going too bad so far. More than I can say about other things in my life at the moment
Slower than you’d like, but as PMRpro says, slow weight loss is more likely to be permanent. You say that previously your weight crept back on.....maybe this time will be different 🤞🏻
I’d like that finch(?) to visit my bird feeders 🐦 ........just googled, not a finch, an aerial feeder from Malaysia. ‘ It is locally referred to as murai gila, literally "crazy thrush" in the Malay language.’
A native to NZ 'Pied Fantail' - very beautiful and pretty to watch - one of my favourite birds growing up there ... In OZ we have Willy Wagtails which are also quite similar but perhaps not quite as attractive !
Just divine little birds - which I am looking forward to seeing on a trip to NZ we are soon going on for a month - mainly the SI this time and especially Christchurch my birthplace which we all know 'needs' all the support it can get.
I can empathize with your struggle. I was able to lose 30lbs from April to December last year on a low carb/sugar/salt diet, but find myself “stuck” since Christmas.
It is getting difficult to walk anywhere, even short distances, as my knee gets worse while I wait for replacement surgery. Even the deep water exercises were uncomfortable this week, and I barely made it out of the pool and into the showers. So my activity level has gone down, so I am left with getting more strict with my diet. I’d like to drop 15 more pounds as it would be good for my failing knees and hypertension.
I find losing weight for health reasons, different than doing it to fit into a dress. I am more focused on long-term lifestyle. Sounds like you are eating a healthy, nutritious diet, which is wonderful. Having to eliminate or reduce some of the treats can be a challenge as I feel I can stay on track overall if I indulge once and awhile.
It’s hard not to get caught up in the numbers (on the scale, measuring inches). It serves as concrete “evidence” of our efforts, but weighing oneself constantly can get discouraging.
I dream your fresh organic produce....and those apples. Must be tempting indeed. Please try to avoid beating yourself up over the slow rate of weight loss. I work with so many people who wage war against their bodies and who engage in negative self talk constantly.
Make peace with your efforts, incorporate more exercise, and be proud of your efforts to live a healthy life.
Hope they help then PMRCanada - and as for being a 'trooper' as you kindly suggest I am far from perfect but just trying to do a bit better. It is interesting that this time since i have almost deleted the sugars I am feeling quite a lot better - and I must admit I am surprised as I would have thought it rather 'faddish' once ...
I can relate regarding weight. I am like Jekyll and Hyde with food, and a treat now and then isn't an option because one turns into two turns into oh my gosh the whole bag-plate-container like around the Holidays. However, I feel so lucky because I love all the anti-inflammatory foods. As long as I can graze on nuts, eggs, veggies, fruits, am so satisfied...
Good for you to have the fresh eggs! All the best.
Yes having a small flock of bantams is wonderful - thy are delightful little critters who trot around our orchard and eat all the pests while turning over the mulch - we couldn't do without them now. Their delicious eggs are almost all yolk although quite small - so I usually have two which is helpfully deceptive !!
I've been doing low carb for about 18 months now. I'm off Pred but finding it really slow to shed the weight, I'm averaging about 1 lb/half a kilo a week. The inches are shifting though, about 5 inches from round my waist.
I think a pound a week is good and better way to keep it off. Inches a good measurement tool as i presume you are more active and able to build s bit more muscle.
Thankyou, I agree. Two stone off so far, which is back to pre-Pred weight and should have another two off by the end of the year, ready for a little black dress at Christmas!
I have tried to do it as slowly as possible, but the jodpur pouches are arriving. My leg muscles often go soft sometimes depending on my back. Last weekend it was like i had jodpurs with 6 balls of wool in the pockets. Improving,and leg muscles mainly firing as back eases.
I'm on Facebook groups for the Blood Sugar Diet and Life after BSD - the mediterranian diet. All those who follow the plan exactly with no cheating tend to lose 2 stone in 8 weeks, or men 3 stone +. A few of us who are on Pred or have been in the past had/have much slower weight loss. I'm now doing low carb about 80% of the time and also doing a lot of time restricted eating, or fasting. I gave up breakfast before Christmas and don't miss it. Flabby skin seems to be less of a problem if you lose wieght via low carbs than with traditional calorie counting or Slimming World type weight loss. The biggest change for me has been going low-histamine, which makes low carb eating very restrictive but has halved my inflammation levels.
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