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Hi, my name is Jennifer -- new here

J

JenniferG

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I am a type 2 diabetic, from the USA, that is looking for a friendly low carb diet forum. I just started my low carb high fat diet a little over 3 weeks ago. Seems like almost no time has passed really. Constantly reading and absorbing things.

My A1C a year ago was 11 (and taking over 100 units of insulin a day). Since the middle of last month, when I started a 65g carb, 165g protein 2500 calorie weight loss diet, I dropped down to 40 units of insulin a day and lost like 20 pounds. As of two days ago I am now off insulin and holding at around 115 mg/dl average. This is from over 300 mg/dl all day every day.

I felt hopeless and that I was going to die at a relatively young age, just one month ago. But I had some help from a few kind low carb hi fat people on another forum and got started on this diet. Now things look bright. Feeling is coming back to my limbs as well. My skin feels better all over -- can't describe it.. I guess more silky now. Sure is nice walking in baggy pants that I couldn't button just late last year.

I am taking 2000 mg of Metformin a day and hoping to get that off that soon. Hoping I can get off all medications and have a fasting blood sugar of less than 90 mg/dl ultimately.

I'll keep it up.

Enjoying Dr. Berinstein's Diabetes Solution book as well as Jason Fung's Obesity Code right now. Also watching youtube vids.

Well that's enough of an intro for now :)
 
Welcome to this lovely forum ! I only joined about two months ago and had lots of support and lots of questions answered. I try to keep around 35g carbs a day, it doesn't always happen, especially as I work away from home a good deal. I learnt from folk not to best myself up if I failed ! That was a great revelation. I take no medication and can keep my numbers down with diet alone and I am sure you will be able to do the same !
Well done so far, excellent progress. The folk here will make you feel very welcome !


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Wow, the LCHF diet has really worked wonders for you - well done!
I came on here knowing nothing, and had been thoroughly brainwashed into believing the 'healthy plate' was the only way to go. Now I know better and feel liberated and in charge of my life again. I was very concerned about choresterol and fats, having believed all my life that saturated fats were the road to an early death. Now I know better, feel fitter and my readings are improved.
The only problem for me is that I'm just not losing weight, I must be eating some hidden carbs from somewhere.
 
Hi @JenniferG and welcome to the forum! Well done on your bs and weight reductions. You have obviously already found the benefits of LCHF. A lot of us on here follow that approach to eating too. There are some other US T2s on here. Hope to see you contributing to the forum.
 
keep it up Jennifer. I am on low carb high fat for last 4 months, Hba1c down from 10.5 (92) to 6.0 (42). Average 50-60 grams carbs per day, struggle to get lower. Taking too many supplements to mention, and have managed to drop one Metformin tablet and one Gliclazide.

Diabetes cannot be cured, but it can definitely be controlled.
My neuropathy feelings have definitely improved with 1200mg of alpha lipoic acid daily.
 
Wonderful guys! Good work! I'll definitely keep it up too!

Jasperville, that's very impressive dropping your A1C from 10.5 to 6.0 wow! Good job! This diet really does work doesn't it! :) As far as "control" goes, I find it interesting people that are type 2 that inject large amounts of insulin, to cover a very large carb intake and feel they have it under "Control". I think control is taking as little insulin as possible (preferably none) and eating what their meter allows them. So if my diabetes goes into remission a bit, perhaps I can eat very small amounts of fruit in moderation.. but I'll worry about that when that time actually comes. Right now it's all low carb hi fat diet for me, because I spike like mad with carbs. Once I lose all this weight maybe my pancreas might start functioning again to allow moderate carbohydrate intake, like people did before the "1977 low fat guidelines". By the way, coincidentally I started gaining weight at 8 years old in 1979.. I remember "dieting" at 12 yrs old restricting my calories, eating tons of carbs because I was told fats were bad for me and would make me fatter. Needless to say I've been fat all my life ever since.
 
My spiking has definitely improved ! I can now tolerate half an apple or a protein bread slice and it does not impact my numbers, but I have to keep on top of it. I have lost about 25 lbs over the last year since diagnosis and many of the symptoms have gone or retreated. I am fully LCHF - being away is tough though, not much is provided and even at the family's house there is a little resistance to all the fat - with support from all these guys I quietly battle on with that ! So well done you !


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Welcome @JenniferG

They are outstanding results and you should be very proud of what you already achieved in such a short time. This forum has been great for me and very friendly. There are a lot of experienced members and as you move forward don't hesitate to post questions or ask for opinions

Cheers
 
JenniferG said:
I am a type 2 diabetic, from the USA, that is looking for a friendly low carb diet forum. I just started my low carb high fat diet a little over 3 weeks ago. Seems like almost no time has passed really. Constantly reading and absorbing things.

My A1C a year ago was 11 (and taking over 100 units of insulin a day). Since the middle of last month, when I started a 65g carb, 165g protein 2500 calorie weight loss diet, I dropped down to 40 units of insulin a day and lost like 20 pounds. As of two days ago I am now off insulin and holding at around 115 mg/dl average. This is from over 300 mg/dl all day every day.

I felt hopeless and that I was going to die at a relatively young age, just one month ago. But I had some help from a few kind low carb hi fat people on another forum and got started on this diet. Now things look bright. Feeling is coming back to my limbs as well. My skin feels better all over -- can't describe it.. I guess more silky now. Sure is nice walking in baggy pants that I couldn't button just late last year.

I am taking 2000 mg of Metformin a day and hoping to get that off that soon. Hoping I can get off all medications and have a fasting blood sugar of less than 90 mg/dl ultimately.

I'll keep it up.

Enjoying Dr. Berinstein's Diabetes Solution book as well as Jason Fung's Obesity Code right now. Also watching youtube vids.

Well that's enough of an intro for now :)
Click to expand...

Welcome Jennifer and congratulations on your speedy turn around and your commitment to a changed lifestyle.

If you are still eagerly consuming knowledge, I would suggest getting hold of a copy of "the art and science of low carb living" Phinney et al...your fellow countryman:)... This book significantly filled in all the gaps for me.

My only word of caution would be your protein level. All the best advice I have read and follow indicates arond 1g per day per kilo of body weight, so I am now down to just 75g per day. Too much protein can be harmful and certainly converts partially to glucose and affects BS.


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Had to go back on some insulin, even with the low carb diet, so I can maintain a 75 mg/dl to 100 mg/dl range instead of 115 to 135 range without insulin. Down to about 35 units a day now though, from over 100 units before.

So with this low carb hi fat diet, I have TRUE normal blood sugar range of 75-100 mg/dl with only 35 units of insulin, and actually losing weight. Versus a 120 mg/dl to 180 mg/dl range with 100 units of insulin with a moderate carb diet, where I was gaining weight.
 
JenniferG said:
Wonderful guys! Good work! I'll definitely keep it up too!

Once I lose all this weight maybe my pancreas might start functioning again to allow moderate carbohydrate intake, like people did before the "1977 low fat guidelines". By the way, coincidentally I started gaining weight at 8 years old in 1979.. I remember "dieting" at 12 yrs old restricting my calories, eating tons of carbs because I was told fats were bad for me and would make me fatter. Needless to say I've been fat all my life ever since.
Click to expand...

Hi from Canada
Interesting that I had almost exactly the same experience at about the same age with my parents buying in to the whole low fat low calorie diet which did not work. They also bought in to the idea that I was a fat, lazy pig that must be controlled at all times and shamed into compliance. Your thin (hypoglycemic) brother can have ice cream but not you because you are fat. This did not create a particularily good relationship with food or with my father. Hindsight being what it is I now believe my father quite likely died of (undiagnosed) diabetes related heart disease complicated by alcoholism at 55 years of age. Anyways, good job on getting healthier !!
 
JenniferG said:
Had to go back on some insulin, even with the low carb diet, so I can maintain a 75 mg/dl to 100 mg/dl range instead of 115 to 135 range without insulin. Down to about 35 units a day now though, from over 100 units before.

So with this low carb hi fat diet, I have TRUE normal blood sugar range of 75-100 mg/dl with only 35 units of insulin, and actually losing weight. Versus a 120 mg/dl to 180 mg/dl range with 100 units of insulin with a moderate carb diet, where I was gaining weight.
Click to expand...

That's great! Please do t be down about having to use insulin:)

Prof Tim Noakes a world renowned expert on T2 and LCHF, who follows a strict 25g per day LCHF diet gets good control of all his metabolic markers, but still has to take insulin to maintain stability.

We are all different and the diet and meds is tandem is just fine:)


Diagnosed 13/4/16: T2, no meds, HbA1c 53, FBG 12.6, Trigs 3.6, HDL .75, LDL 4.0, BP 169/95, BPM 85, 13st 8lbs, waist 34" (2012 - 17st 7lbs, w 42").

16/6/16: FBG AV 4.6, Trigs 1.5, HDL 2.0, LDL 3.0, BP 112/68, BPM 6O, 11st 5lbs, waist 30", PWV 7.0. Lifelong migraines and hay fever gone.

Regime: 25g LCHF, run 1 mile daily, weekly fasting, occasionally longer fasts.
 
Just an update. Been eating LCHF diet for about 45 days now or so. Four days ago I switched to eating only in a 6 hour window each day, so I get 18 hours of fasting (drink lots of water, coffee, tea, broth when fasting). The first couple days of fasting was a bit hard, body had to get used to not grazing all day. But on the 4th day, I can honestly say I never feel ANY hunger all day, whether I fast or when I am feasting for 6 hours. I can't believe this because I used to feel hungry all the time, my entire life since I was a child. I was 300 pounds at 13 yrs old, and I grazed/snacked all the time. It's that constant snacking that raises up insulin levels and makes you hungry. I really love this way of eating .. I feel so liberated from hunger and food.

Since 45 days ago, when I switched from a moderate to high carb diet to LCHF, I was eating 2600 calories a day and losign 2 pounds per week, but always felt a little bit hungry throughout the day between each of my 10 or so mini meals. Despite eating LCHF diet, it was that constant gluconeogenesis of the consumed proteins keeping up the insulin level. Now I eat 2100 calories a day but in a 6 hour window (2PM to 8PM) and I feel STUFFED in that period and not a bit hungry the other 18 hours fasting.. it's amazing! It's because the insulin levels drops so much during that 18 hours -- higher insulin levels make you hungry. I love that my body and digestive system get an 18 hour rest as well so it can do other things like fight infections or whatever else it does.

So anyways 45 days ago my blood sugar was 300 mg/dl all the time and I was 422 pounds. I am now 392 pounds (lost 30 pounds since I switched to LCHF). I have a couple hundred pounds to go but I honestly think I can finally do this now. Never been on a diet before that I didn't feel hungry on! 45 days ago, starting with LCHF only, grazing all day, was a HUGE improvement over the hi carb diet I was eating before and I felt LOTS less hungry. But now this LCHF combined with 18:6 just makes things absolutely perfect because I feel no hunger at all and actually think I have a better chance of lowering insulin resistance more quickly. I don't think I could of jumped right into LCHF 18:6.. I think the LCHF grazing diet is a good way to start things before jumping into LCHF 18:6. A good 30 days to get used to LCHF first. Jason Fung even says that.. that it is easier to start with LCHF diet first alone, before jumping into intermittent fasting.

Again the 18:6 intermittent fasting thing I'm doing is a bit hard the first couple days .. stomach grumbles and stuff.. but just drink a lot of water and homemade chicken broth. It gets so easy by the 3rd day .. slight hunger.. and by 4th day none at all.

This is perfectly healthy way of eating too.. think about it.. you are just skipping one meal. And it gives your digestive system a break and lets your insulin levels lower significantly .. when that happens you don't get hungry. And since I FEAST on a good amount of calories in that 6 hour window (2100), my metabolism stays at FULL blast.. because when you fast those 18 hours, your body doesn't reduce metabolism.. slightly increases it if anything.. so you have enough energy to go hunting and gather for the next meal in the evening.

Anyways, in the past 45 days I've also lowered my blood pressure from 140/80 to 111/60 and my pulse rate from 96 to 80. I am regaining feeling constantly in my limbs -- reversing the neuropathy. My skin is shiny, silky, smooth and moist instead of dry and scaly. I have more energy than I've had since I was a teenager. I have better mental clarity. I am much happier!

I am also completely off of insulin now. I was injecting over 120 units a day at one point. My blood sugar range for the day is always about 110 mg/dL to 125 mg/dL the entire day. NOt bad for no insulin now! :) I only expect it to get better day by day, especially with this 18:6 intermittent fasting.. less persistance of higher insulin levels should inrease sensitivity over time I am guess. ANd the contiual weight loss should also help with the insulin resistance.

Well I've typed enough.. this is pretty long... and I should go back and read and edit it.. but I guess it's good enough.

Jennifer
 
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Excellent approach, brilliant results - well done.

I've just finished the Obesity code by Jason Fung, and did my first 24 hour fast 2 days ago...............too soon to know if it will help. I've been type 2 for 17 years, and have firmly believed that my beta cells are 75% burnt-out, so it is a stretch to start thinking that I also might need to get insulin levels DOWN, but I will see what develops.
 
Jasperville said:
Excellent approach, brilliant results - well done.

I've just finished the Obesity code by Jason Fung, and did my first 24 hour fast 2 days ago...............too soon to know if it will help. I've been type 2 for 17 years, and have firmly believed that my beta cells are 75% burnt-out, so it is a stretch to start thinking that I also might need to get insulin levels DOWN, but I will see what develops.
Click to expand...

Great that you still have enough of an open mind to keep pushing the boundaries:)


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Jasperville said:
Excellent approach, brilliant results - well done.

I've just finished the Obesity code by Jason Fung, and did my first 24 hour fast 2 days ago...............too soon to know if it will help. I've been type 2 for 17 years, and have firmly believed that my beta cells are 75% burnt-out, so it is a stretch to start thinking that I also might need to get insulin levels DOWN, but I will see what develops.
Click to expand...
Your A1C looks pretty good! Hang in there! I am sure over time they will come down. You are keeping your insulin levels as low as possible for over 20 hours every day.. that's just gotta help! Sometimes it takes time.. months even, but you'll get there. It's probably going to take me many months to get it down, because I am pretty resistant. But I just know it's gonna work!
 
KevinPotts said:
Great that you still have enough of an open mind to keep pushing the boundaries:)


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Click to expand...
Yep, I am continually trying to improve it so my insulin resistance goes down as fast as possible.

For example, I quit all artificial sweetners yesterday including stevia. I read they all raise insulin levels right when they hit the recepter on the tongue. Want my insulin level as low as possible when I fast. So no more sweet coffee and no more occasional can of coke zero.

My thought is when the fake sweetner hits the tongue receptor it immediately tells the pancreas to start producing insulin. When it doesn't get the expected incoming glucose load, it gets ****** and makes you hungry.. if you don't "binge" then it stresses your body and it releases cortisol which tells the liver to produce more sugar. Then the liver overreacts and dumps more than it should and then since I have insulin resistance I can't bring down the sugar efficiently. So that's how artificial sweetner can raise insulin levels (and therefore more insulin resistance) alogn with possibly increasing blood sugar as well. Just a thought anyways.. not going to risk it by ingesting anymore fake sugar.. done "tricking" the body with fake sugars and processed foods... lol @ refined carbs... i.e. STRIPPING the food of the fiber (antidote) leaving just the poison: carbs. I am really upset at the money hungry food industry... glad I know better now after being fooled 45 years.
 
Update:
Down to 390 pounds (27.86 stone)
32 pounds (2.2 stone) lost since I started LCHF on May 9th
No longer injecting any insulin. (Worst was 120 units per day.)
Average blood sugar: 120 mg/dL (6.7 mmol/L) down from A1C of 8.6 on May 9th.
(Worst A1C was in fall of last year, an A1C of 11.)
Blood Pressure: 111/70 -- down from 140/80 on May 9th
Pulse Rate: 82 down from 96 on May 9th
 
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JenniferG said:
Update: down to 390 pounds (27.86 stone).. 32 pounds (2.2 stone) lost since LCHF on May 9th. Average blood sugar: 120 mg/dL (no insulin injections anymore).
Click to expand...

Brilliant...I'm so pleased for you:)


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Here is a graph showing weight loss on LCHF diet and then LCHF diet + Intermittent fasting. (Using Dr. Jason Fung's intermittent fasting advice.)

Notice the weight loss slope is more steep with the intermittent fasting combined with LCHF.

29kz76u.jpg


I fast for 18 hours, eating all my food for the day in a 6 hour window -- currently 1800-2100 calories per day.. versus 2250-2600 on LCHF grazing diet alone. When I fast, I never take a bite of food and just drink water, green tea and black coffee (and sometimes homemade chicken/beef bone broth); I also never drink diet sodas or use any artificial sweetners in anything anymore.

I'm losing more weight on IF + LCHF, and feel less hungry than on LCHF alone, despite the latter having 500 more calories a day to eat; I attribute this to persistent higher insulin levels due to the grazing.

I should say I also dropped my 40-50 units of basal insulin the same time I started intermittent fasting, so less insulin in me is probably helping with the weight loss as well. I was having to inject 40-50 units to keep my blood sugar in a 85-105 range all day. Now with no injections by body is settling on 110-140 mg/dL all day. I suppose as I continue to lose weight I might end up having a fasting blood sugar under 100 versus 120-125 I'm getting now, we'll see.
 
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