Diabetic and desperate

[Meerkatmum]

I am diabetic and need to lose a few stones and struggling!

[Hidden]

Hi Meerkatmum Someone will be along with a welcome post with lots of helpful links - but you are in the right place to get lots of support and information. Good luck

[IndigoBlue61]

Hello Meerkatmum and welcome to the Weight Loss Forum

Here are a few suggestions on how to get the most out of the forum. Please note if you are using the new HU App many of these features are not available so I suggest you use the full website version.

The first place to look is at the Pinned posts section to the right of your screen (bottom if you're using a mobile), read the Welcome Newbie thread first and move through to the challenges, where we hope you'll find at least one that will appeal to you. Move down to the Topics, to find a variety of threads, collated into specific topics for ease of access and we ask that you also 'file' your own threads, so that others won't miss your important news

Have a look at the NHS 12 week plan, as many people have had success with it. Also use the BMI checker to find your target calories, it's important to eat enough. This was a major turning point for me, realising I could eat anything I wanted as long as the calories are accounted for. Don't forget to take your starting measurements and a 'before' picture, as they can be very motivating on days that the scales refuse to co-operate

The forum also have group weigh-ins every day, as well as a new Daily Diary, if you wish to take part. The posts can always be found in the Events section on the 'home' page. And if you just want to chat, to say hello or share any news or struggles then look out for What's Happening Today thread.

You'll notice a grey box next to people's names, these are achievement badges, and as a new member you have a 'Newbie' badge. We've found that to get the best out of this community, we need to be active on the forum, as it's where we exchange information, get motivation and inspiration and make friends. We hope that you'll join us here, regularly, too. If you have any questions please just ask

Best wishes

Anna

[Pineapple27]

Hi Meerkatmum

Welcome!

I wonder whether you've looked at Michael Mosley's 8 week Blood Sugar Diet? I'm not diabetic or pre-diabetic, but follow the 8-week Blood Sugar Diet Facebook page. I tried the 8 week Blood Sugar Diet in October last year as my weight loss had stalled, I'd gained a few pounds over the summer and I wanted to lose about a stone before my next (pre-Christmas) holiday.

I had some fantastic results - lost 6lb the first week, and a total of 13lb in 7 weeks, which considering I am close to my goal weight I was very happy about!

I also found that cutting the carbs and sugar gave me a lot more energy, my sleep was better and I woke earlier, my general niggling pains were reduced.... plus, I was able to feel fuller for longer by switching my carbs to a small portion of "good" fat (avocado, oily fish, brazil nuts, 100% peanut butter).

I cut out most fruit apart from apples, pears and berries, cut out potatoes, rice, pasta, bread and grains, parsnips (high sugars) and anything with added sugar. Started to eat just 2 meals a day (brunch and dinner) and kept my calories to between 800 and 1,000. Only did this for 7 weeks, as I was on holiday for week 8.

Message me if you have any questions - I'm not an expert but it worked for me! It might not be the answer for everyone, but as I've been on my weightloss journey for over 5 years now, I do believe that it makes sense to change what I am doing to (a) keep my body guessing and (b) keep it varied and interesting!

facebook.com/groups/1628856...

thebloodsugardiet.com/

[Hidden in reply to Pineapple27]

Thanks Pineapple27 for this - I've not seen this before, but its interesting. I've always found that losing weight becomes a lot easier for me if I stop eating bread, pasta, rice, potatoes etc - and now don't worry too much about eating 'full-fat' versions of eg yoghurts, cottage cheese etc.

So I've basically been (inadvertently) following a Low Carb Med Style diet, and it seems to work for me. We do have history of Type II diabetes in the family so it's quite important I'm watching out for this as well. I just need to watch out for the tropical fruit though... !!

[Pineapple27 in reply to Hidden]

I'm following less strictly - eat bread infrequently, can't refuse a portion of home-grown new potatoes at the moment! Also still eating just two meals a day, trying to cut out snacking (which creates a spike in insulin level production). It certainly helps me to maintain..... BUT I need to lose about 14lbs more (ideally) so... may need to try another 8 weeks of sticking to the 800 calories! Now THAT is the hard part!

[Hidden in reply to Pineapple27]

Two meals a day with no snacking would cause me some problems I think !!

[Pineapple27 in reply to Hidden]

As I said, I'm not diabetic.... and I have been on my weight loss journey for over 5 years. It isn't a skill that just comes (avoiding temptation and the urge to eat between meals), I've had to work hard to achieve success (and I'm not infallible - I slip up from time to time!)

[ceejayblue in reply to Pineapple27]

As I understand it the Blood Sugar Diet is not a long term one for doing the 800 cals a day, that's just not sustainable and could be counter-productive for some. I like Michael Moseley but he does keep coming up with different "diets" every year so I tend to think its just another one of his ideas.

Not saying it does't work, of course it does, all diets "work2, but that's just not sustainable for me.

[Pineapple27 in reply to ceejayblue]

Most defintely not sustainable - it's advised to do it for 8 week stints with at least a months break in between. But on the Facebook page I am a member of there are some truly amazing results, especially for those who have a considerable amount to lose.

The aspects of this way of eating that I (personally) have particularly taken to are:

(1) being aware of the ingredients - especially added sugar - contained in pre-prepared things, especially sauces and condiments

(2) realising what effect all that sugar has on the body and ones physical health - not just talking blood sugar here, but actually the effect of insulin spikes and the results of managing to totally cut down on sugar in the diet

(3) really impressive weight loss over the 8 weeks, even for someone like me who has been losing weight over a long period of time (seems like forever!) and is close to goal

(4) being able to fit in the 8 weeks ahead of or after a holiday which can quickly and efficiently deal with the excess pounds. However "good" I am on holiday, as my calorie allowance is so low due to my short stature (4ft 9") and lack of mobility, then it is quite easy to gain 3-4lbs a week! That can be very demoralising when ones weight loss is slow for the same reasons....

(5) even when not strictly sticking to 800 calories, but sticking to the principles (cutting out the processed carbs and snacking) one can achieve losses without the need to log. Having said that, because I have been logging/weighing my food for over 5 years I do have a very good understanding of the calorific values of food and what a portion size looks like!

[Meerkatmum in reply to Pineapple27]

Thanks for the advice. I will take a look at the diet and give it a go. Snacking is my biggest problem and I enjoy a glass of wine at weekends!

[Pineapple27 in reply to Meerkatmum]

I had to more or less give up on alcohol - not just for the calories, but for the fact that it led me on to snack attacks! Weirdly I've gone right off wine - it must be a hormonal thing. It just tastes awful to me now. I used to love a few glasses of wine with a meal...

[HubbysMissMouse]

Do make sure you check how many calories you should be having daily on the NHS bmi calculator to be able to lose weight. Do make sure you do at least eat somewhere between the amounts it advises you and do not eat less than this because I never used to eat enough and always struggled with losing weight because my body thought I was starving it and turned what I did eat into body fat and this weighs more than eating the extra calories would have so it stops you from losing weight and sometimes puts weight on you instead. This was why I was always ending up fatter over time because inside my body was always more body fat. Now I am eating the right amount of calories to lose weight my body is starting to remove the body fat from within me. This means I am getting slimmer gradually and I have now managed to lose 2 1/2st so far. Good luck with your weight loss journey.

[Meerkatmum]

Thanks to everyone for the useful advice. I will let you know how I get on.

[IndigoBlue61 in reply to Meerkatmum]

Glad to help 😊 Have a good look around and please ask if you have any questions

[ceejayblue]

I'm diabetic, now in the lower end of the pre-diabetic range through diet and metformin. I've cut my carb intake (not to nothing) and raised my good fat levels (I'm not strictly LCHF as that doesn't really agree with me) by using more avocado, coconut oil, olive oil etc. I've also cut out added sugar by not eating processed foods (that's not to say I don't have the occasional treat). I've upped my exercise (again not by a great amount but try to walk every day - having a dog helps).

I only eat when hungry, have a glass of water and if that satisfies me then I was dehydrated, if not then I will have something to eat. I have done added sugar free challenges on facebook that have helped and I am much more aware of what is going into my mouth now.

[Pineapple27 in reply to ceejayblue]

That is a huge skill I have learnt during my weight loss journey - to be more mindful about the process of eating; to identify the difference between real hunger and hunger that is driven by other things (usually temptation!)

I can now manage to resist temptation for about 85% of the time, and I learnt when using the 5:2 Fasting way of eating that it is possible to survive for lengthy periods without eating (just drinking water and other drinks). Again, lengthy fasting period are not for everyone. They work for me - probably because I am fairly sedentary.

My sister who is VERY active (she never stops!) starts to feel faint and light headed if she's not fed regularly! As for me, I do get to a point where I am "hangry" (feeling angry caused by hunger!), but as long as I am able to plan my meals in advance and have things ready to eat at the appropriate moment, this isn't too much of a problem (although my husband may feel differently on this particular point!)