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'Newcastle diet' advice

Andrew, thanks to you have cracked the treadmill problem! Bought cheap earphones and extension lead from Amazon and total cost - £10. And it works! Now can watch films to while away the hours I am exercising. Thank you! Returned the TWO expensive systems that were meant to work with no wires as could not get them to work even though TV quite new and modern. This is much cheaper and easier. Now, what films do I want to watch as I shed pounds! Hope you are having a good holiday.


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Not actually shedding much despite my very best efforts though. Had hoped to lose four pounds before Monday but not looking good! Mentioned this to someone at work today who knows lots about these things and he said there are lots if reasons we don't lose weight even when eating less and exercising. Why do our bodies have minds of their own!


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paulins said:
Not actually shedding much despite my very best efforts though. Had hoped to lose four pounds before Monday but not looking good! Mentioned this to someone at work today who knows lots about these things and he said there are lots if reasons we don't lose weight even when eating less and exercising. Why do our bodies have minds of their own!
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Don't despair I have noticed a funny pattern with my weight lose now that I am down to a pound a week. It is that I see nothing for a week and then I go up a pound and then fall 2 pounds rapidly. It is like my body is resisting and then just goes "oh all right then, if I must!".

glad you got the headphones to work. You followed the KISS principle. I have to remind people of it all the time at work.
 
SO, results this morning! HbC1a down to 4.8 (30) = GOOD
Trigs down to 1.1 = GOOD

But cholesterol up from 4 to 5.3 = BAD. This can't be because of food, as I eat nothing bad, so must be because last time I was tested I had been on statins for two months. GP advised taking statins to get it down again, as there is a higher risk of heart problems with high cholesterol. She said it is up to me, and has prescribed a different kind as the last ones made my hips ache terribly at night. And my Potassium is low - 3.3, so she wants to measure again in 3 weeks. She told me to eat bananas! Duh!

Apparently I now have normal non-diabetic readings, but when I asked her at what point I could be considered to have reversed she said I would always be considered diabetic and would remain on the diabetic register. So that's a bit disappointing.

@Andrew Colvin - I do love acronyms, but what does KISS mean? Re weight loss, it is definitely much slower which is so frustrating! But this was always a long term project so I'm just sticking with it.

Surgery on Monday, and apparently they won't let me home until I eat something (they give sandwiches!) and keep it down, and pee (sorry!). I plan to take a salad with me (which my daughter thinks is so OCD!) because I don't want to eat anything to push up my levels.
 
paulins said:
SO, results this morning! HbC1a down to 4.8 (30) = GOOD
Trigs down to 1.1 = GOOD

But cholesterol up from 4 to 5.3 = BAD. This can't be because of food, as I eat nothing bad, so must be because last time I was tested I had been on statins for two months. GP advised taking statins to get it down again, as there is a higher risk of heart problems with high cholesterol. She said it is up to me, and has prescribed a different kind as the last ones made my hips ache terribly at night. And my Potassium is low - 3.3, so she wants to measure again in 3 weeks. She told me to eat bananas! Duh!

Apparently I now have normal non-diabetic readings, but when I asked her at what point I could be considered to have reversed she said I would always be considered diabetic and would remain on the diabetic register. So that's a bit disappointing.

@Andrew Colvin - I do love acronyms, but what does KISS mean? Re weight loss, it is definitely much slower which is so frustrating! But this was always a long term project so I'm just sticking with it.

Surgery on Monday, and apparently they won't let me home until I eat something (they give sandwiches!) and keep it down, and pee (sorry!). I plan to take a salad with me (which my daughter thinks is so OCD!) because I don't want to eat anything to push up my levels.
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That is a stunning A1c Paulins, never mind good! Very, very well done.

On the cholesterol front, did you get the LDL/HDL breakdown? Personally, in your shoes, I'd want to minimise any new meds during a time when your body will be under various assaults, dealing with your surgery and post-op treatments, but that's me all over. :happy:

Maybe on Monday a sandwich mightn't be so terrible. Your body will have a lot to cope with on the day and beyond. Are you planning on staying on the ND during your treatment phases?

KISS = Keep It Simple Sunshine/Stupid (depending on the audience).
 
AndBreathe said:
That is a stunning A1c Paulins, never mind good! Very, very well done.

On the cholesterol front, did you get the LDL/HDL breakdown? Personally, in your shoes, I'd want to minimise any new meds during a time when your body will be under various assaults, dealing with your surgery and post-op treatments, but that's me all over. :happy:

Maybe on Monday a sandwich mightn't be so terrible. Your body will have a lot to cope with on the day and beyond. Are you planning on staying on the ND during your treatment phases?

KISS = Keep It Simple Sunshine/Stupid (depending on the audience).
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Thank you @AndBreathe

HDL - 1.1
LDL -3.7
HDLC RATIO - 4.8

I think this means the lousy ones are winning. But, it must now be a predisposition as it certainly is not anything I am eating. The doctor said not to start the statins until after the surgery, so I do have time to decide if I will take them or not. I do plan to stay on the Newcastle diet but to eat some chicken etc over the next week or so to help my body heal. The surgeon told me I could exercise depending on personal comfort, but no hard running as all that jarring could upset the healing and the glue (yes, glue!). So, plan to do double on Saturday and Sunday (2x 1hr slots at different times in the day) and then very little until about Thursday. Hopefully won't lose too much hard won fitness.

I have been a bit flat today as I had hoped to be told - YES, REVERSED!!! Probably not really realistic.
 
paulins said:
I have been a bit flat today as I had hoped to be told - YES, REVERSED!!! Probably not really realistic.
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I think with all that's going on that's wholly understandable. Personally, I would have misgivings about anyone calling one non-diabetic A1c reversed, or cured, or any other label with huge implications. For those with the physical, and mental capacities to achieve non-diabetic levels, getting there is the "easy" bit, as there is that continuous motivational spur of lowering scores, weight and feedback. The truly hard bit is maintaining it, year in, year out. For those extraordinarily fortunate folks who can revert to a truly mixed, carb-inclusive diet, and maintain non-biabetic blood scores, I would concede a descriptive label will eventually make sense. If my condition had been declared reversed, on the strength of A1cs of 37 and 34, without any maintenance period, I would have lost faith in the personal making that declaration.

I know I may view this whole scenario more cautiously than many, but I am trying, for myself, to prove that my scores are not blips, which would be devastating if my levels revert to diabetic ranges.

Paulins, I am sure you will be monitored very closely over the coming months, and continued great scores will build your case for the label you desire. But, for now, rejoice in the massive step forward you have made, both with your diabetes, but in preparing yourself for the imminent challenges you face. Without a shadow of doubt, you are better placed for your surgery and other treatment now than you would have been if you were still carrying more weight and blood scores in the diabetic ranges. It's all good. In fact, it's all extremely good. (Apart from the visit by the Big C, obviously. :confused:)
 
AndBreathe said:
I think with all that's going on that's wholly understandable. Personally, I would have misgivings about anyone calling one non-diabetic A1c reversed, or cured, or any other label with huge implications. For those with the physical, and mental capacities to achieve non-diabetic levels, getting there is the "easy" bit, as there is that continuous motivational spur of lowering scores, weight and feedback. The truly hard bit is maintaining it, year in, year out. For those extraordinarily fortunate folks who can revert to a truly mixed, carb-inclusive diet, and maintain non-biabetic blood scores, I would concede a descriptive label will eventually make sense. If my condition had been declared reversed, on the strength of A1cs of 37 and 34, without any maintenance period, I would have lost faith in the personal making that declaration.

I know I may view this whole scenario more cautiously than many, but I am trying, for myself, to prove that my scores are not blips, which would be devastating if my levels revert to diabetic ranges.

Paulins, I am sure you will be monitored very closely over the coming months, and continued great scores will build your case for the label you desire. But, for now, rejoice in the massive step forward you have made, both with your diabetes, but in preparing yourself for the imminent challenges you face. Without a shadow of doubt, you are better placed for your surgery and other treatment now than you would have been if you were still carrying more weight and blood scores in the diabetic ranges. It's all good. In fact, it's all extremely good. (Apart from the visit by the Big C, obviously. :confused:)
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@AndBreathe, I read your very sensible response and of course know you are right! One swallow does not a summer make as they say! I know that this will be a lifetime of sensible maintenance and I haven't even reached the weight target yet, so am being somewhat unrealistic. And I have yet even to try putting anything with carbs or sugar into my mouth, which might also give me a fright. I have just had a massage and feel quite relaxed and surprisingly good now. Just want Monday over and then to get on with my life without the Big C (which is apparently really quite small!). Will let you know how it goes my cyber friends. Thank you for your support.
 
That is excellent @Paulines. My gp surgery monitor for 3 years and then declare success to their bariatric surgery patients. If you look at prof Taylors sheet for doctors he says 4 years and it is written to teach out of touch GPs

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Will look out his sheet this evening Andrew. I know that life will have changed forever and that I will have to work hard to keep levels down at these levels. Shame about the cholesterol though as I don't want to take statins but 5.4 seems too high apparently. But I am really pleased with the result and very motivated to keep on with the diet and trying to lose the rest of the weight.
Headphones great! Thanks for the tip. Hope you are having a good holiday.


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paulins said:
Will look out his sheet this evening Andrew. I know that life will have changed forever and that I will have to work hard to keep levels down at these levels. Shame about the cholesterol though as I don't want to take statins but 5.4 seems too high apparently. But I am really pleased with the result and very motivated to keep on with the diet and trying to lose the rest of the weight.
Headphones great! Thanks for the tip. Hope you are having a good holiday.


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I'll be thinking of you and sending good wishes and prayers you way on Monday @paulins .
 
paulins said:
I have done this diet for 12 weeks. I have lost 37 lbs - still 22 to go. Weight loss slows as time progresses. Fasting blood sugar readings down from average of 7.5 to between 5.1-5.7. Often between 4.5-5.5 during the day.
Trigs down from 3.4 to 1.9. Cholesterol down from 6.5 to 4.5. Doctor stopped statins after 2 months. No drugs at all now.
You can eat vegetables as long as they are not starchy and salads. I found lots of interesting ways to cook the vegetables, using the oil allowed. I was and remain determined! Remember to drink water, or tea/fruit teas to keep hydrated.
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Hi just started reading this thread - please can you clarify what you mean by
You can eat vega tables as long as not starchy and salads.
Does this mean you can't eat salads on this diet.
 
Sorry. You can eat all salads. You can eat vegetables as long as they are non-starchy. Have now lost 63lbs. Well worth doing it. Lots of us are losing weight together on this forum and the support is great.


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paulins said:
Sorry. You can eat all salads. You can eat vegetables as long as they are non-starchy. Have now lost 63lbs. Well worth doing it. Lots of us are losing weight together on this forum and the support is great.


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Great I was worried there for a minute as all I live on at the moment is salad with chicken, salad with fish, salad with boiled eggs, salad salad salad. You get the idea. Will have a look at it. Thanks. Fantastic weight loss you must feel like a different person
 
Pipp said:
For me the swimming pool and Newcastle diet saved my life.
Getting to the pool was daunting. I always loved swimming, but stopped going when I started to gain weight. I was fortunate that I was referred to a weight management clinic, and the doctor there was very in tune with the emotional barriers to exercise. She called my bluff when I said I would swim and arranged a weekly session for all of her obese patients. We had exclusive, private use of the pool just for obese people. Before too long I was confident enough to go to public sessions at the pool, and guess what. The so called normal weight people there also have far from 'perfect' bodies. I did, occasionally get strange looks or comments from people, but the problem is theirs not mine.
I exercise in the pool swimming and aquafit as often as I can because due to an accident I became disabled and most other exercise is not possible. In the water I am weightless and so much more mobile, I feel free.
Ok I will step off my soap box now. Sorry, I bang on about swimming and bore everyone on here. Not sure I could be enthusiastic about horse riding. I am allergic and one nasty one bit me once, but would say to you if that is one of your goals then plan for it. You will do it.
I am so glad that you have enjoyed a day out with your family. They grow up so quickly, and before you know it they don't want to be seen with you.

Sounds like you are doing brilliantly. Well done.
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Thanks for you reply Pipp, sorry I have been out of the loop for a while (manically selling and trying to buy houses!). I hope you are doing well, your posts have really helped me, especially with the Newcastle Diet thing. I have continued to lose weight 1st 10lbs so far, but fallen off the wagon a bit this week (5 week). Added few good proteins last couple of days as had enough of sweet shakes, but threw myself under a fridge train today!!
 
Late this afternoon I arrived home and did a blood test - 3.8! That's the second lowest I have ever been. Have done 10k on both Saturday and Sunday (2x5k, not all at once!) on the treadmill to make up for the fact that I probably won't feel like it on Monday or Tuesday. Didn't want my increasing fitness levels to be lost. So, it may be the increase in exercise that did it. Weight loss has picked up again - 3 lbs this week -and 11 lbs since June 11th. But I did not make it to 11 st something before Monday's surgery which was my goal. Never mind fellow dieters - hope you are all well and doing well. Added some chicken to dinner this evening to give my body protein, and had some berries. Now completely full!
 
Well surgery over and I am home again and recovering here which is great. Was actually not nearly as bad as my overactive imagination had built it up to be. I was last on the list though so a long wait. Being well looked after and plan a quiet day on the couch. Only bad news- seem to have put on two pounds though can't understand why as ate nothing all day yesterday and only had something light when I arrived home! Don't feel like heading to the treadmill to get it off again. BS 4.3 this morning.

One thing did make me smile though. I was weighed before the operation and told I had lost 11 lbs since the pre-op meeting in June. When it came out that I had actually lost 66 lbs the anaesthetist asked for diet advice and made a point of coming to speak to me about the Newcastle diet and whether it was suitable for non-diabetics. Ha ha!
 
It's good to have you back Paulins. :)

Don't be in too much of a rush to be back to normality. There's a reason for no driving for 48 hours (or more)'after an anaesthetic, so I'd apply that to the treadmill too. There's plenty of time for pavement pounding on another day.
 
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