Hello
I was diagnosed T2 in November after mentioning to my doctor during a visit about something else that my feet hurt. Sadly it didn’t occur to me that throbbing feet had anything to do with diabetes, or anything other than uncomfortable work boots for that matter!
So my Hba1c came in at 65. Had a second test a couple of weeks later, which was 66.
Had a brief conversation with my GP, during which she mentioned the condition was reversible & there were tablets I could take that would help (Metformin).
I panicked a bit, knew I was going to have to get up to speed & was going on holiday 2 days later. So, I opted for the tablets & started taking 1x500mg Metformin per day, progressing to 2, then 3 just before Christmas.
Over the next month I started eating more sensibly. Less takeaways & junk. More real food (some of which I have since learned wasn’t the best choice) & lost around a stone in weight (19 stone 7 on diagnosis. 18 stone 7 just before Christmas). During this time I came across this website, amongst others & absorbed a wealth of information. Read Michael Moseley’s Blood Sugar Diet book, books on other diets, etc & started leaning towards giving the Newcastle Diet a shot in the new year. Spoke to my GP about it, who was supportive & assured me I had nothing to worry about by following a VLCD for 2 months.
Bought myself a blood sugar test kit & my first 100 shakes (opted for Shake That Weight), enjoyed Christmas (although more conservatively than I’m used to) & decided to start the diet on January 7th.
Took first BG readings on January 1st. 11.3 fasting & 10 2 hours after evening meal.
Ate sensibly for the next few days. Essentially portion control, low carb, low fat and my readings the day before starting the diet were 7.8 & 9.7. My weight on this day was 18 stone 8.
As others have said the diet isn’t easy. Some days, for reasons I can’t put my finger on are harder than others. The small amount of real food is a challenge to keep interesting, but the whole thing is easier than I thought it would be. Curry powder has been a life saver.
So, at the end of week one I’d lost 10.5lb & my BG readings, after improving daily were 4.9 & 6.1. All of this was very motivational. I stopped taking Metformin at this point. GP was fine with me doing this & it made no difference whatsoever.
The following weeks saw my blood results stay the same. Always between 4.5 & 5 fasting. And low 5’s to low 6’s 2 hours after either a shake or the food. Weight loss continued at quite a pace too. About half a stone a week & a loss of something every single day.
I am now in to week seven. My weight is 15 stone 12. Getting on for 4 stone down, nearly 3 since starting the diet, average fasting BG over the last 28 days is 4.8 & average overall BG over the last 7 days is 5.4. Just under 2 weeks to go. I am bored of the diet, but still motivated.
So, 2 reasons for my post (& I appreciate its long. I am a waffler!).
First, I have found other people’s stories I’ve read informative & inspirational. Hopefully my post can do the same for others.
Second, I’m really looking forward to eating real food soon, but am anxious. I’ve read many different takes on the best way to handle the transition back to food, maintenance & exercise regimes. I’d be really interested in any advice or suggestions from others who have completed the diet.
Thanks & good luck to everyone else on this journey...
I was diagnosed T2 in November after mentioning to my doctor during a visit about something else that my feet hurt. Sadly it didn’t occur to me that throbbing feet had anything to do with diabetes, or anything other than uncomfortable work boots for that matter!
So my Hba1c came in at 65. Had a second test a couple of weeks later, which was 66.
Had a brief conversation with my GP, during which she mentioned the condition was reversible & there were tablets I could take that would help (Metformin).
I panicked a bit, knew I was going to have to get up to speed & was going on holiday 2 days later. So, I opted for the tablets & started taking 1x500mg Metformin per day, progressing to 2, then 3 just before Christmas.
Over the next month I started eating more sensibly. Less takeaways & junk. More real food (some of which I have since learned wasn’t the best choice) & lost around a stone in weight (19 stone 7 on diagnosis. 18 stone 7 just before Christmas). During this time I came across this website, amongst others & absorbed a wealth of information. Read Michael Moseley’s Blood Sugar Diet book, books on other diets, etc & started leaning towards giving the Newcastle Diet a shot in the new year. Spoke to my GP about it, who was supportive & assured me I had nothing to worry about by following a VLCD for 2 months.
Bought myself a blood sugar test kit & my first 100 shakes (opted for Shake That Weight), enjoyed Christmas (although more conservatively than I’m used to) & decided to start the diet on January 7th.
Took first BG readings on January 1st. 11.3 fasting & 10 2 hours after evening meal.
Ate sensibly for the next few days. Essentially portion control, low carb, low fat and my readings the day before starting the diet were 7.8 & 9.7. My weight on this day was 18 stone 8.
As others have said the diet isn’t easy. Some days, for reasons I can’t put my finger on are harder than others. The small amount of real food is a challenge to keep interesting, but the whole thing is easier than I thought it would be. Curry powder has been a life saver.
So, at the end of week one I’d lost 10.5lb & my BG readings, after improving daily were 4.9 & 6.1. All of this was very motivational. I stopped taking Metformin at this point. GP was fine with me doing this & it made no difference whatsoever.
The following weeks saw my blood results stay the same. Always between 4.5 & 5 fasting. And low 5’s to low 6’s 2 hours after either a shake or the food. Weight loss continued at quite a pace too. About half a stone a week & a loss of something every single day.
I am now in to week seven. My weight is 15 stone 12. Getting on for 4 stone down, nearly 3 since starting the diet, average fasting BG over the last 28 days is 4.8 & average overall BG over the last 7 days is 5.4. Just under 2 weeks to go. I am bored of the diet, but still motivated.
So, 2 reasons for my post (& I appreciate its long. I am a waffler!).
First, I have found other people’s stories I’ve read informative & inspirational. Hopefully my post can do the same for others.
Second, I’m really looking forward to eating real food soon, but am anxious. I’ve read many different takes on the best way to handle the transition back to food, maintenance & exercise regimes. I’d be really interested in any advice or suggestions from others who have completed the diet.
Thanks & good luck to everyone else on this journey...