I've been going now for over a year and a half and have lost somewhere between 32 and 35 kilos, come off all diabetes medication, got back into suits not worn for a quarter of a century. The diet is relatively easy provided one is not exposed to temptation at parties and the weight melted during the first six months. During the second and third six months periods, I lost 12 kilos which is much slower but still encouraging. I recognize that I am not yet thin, just not grotesquely obese any more, and have some way to go before reaching my target weight. I have dramatically reduced the additional foods I used to eat during the first six months -- when weight loss was very fast but I also ate a good deal more than I do now. Cheese etc in particular. I have stopped that as I definitely don't lose weight if calory input is too high.
I stick to below 40g of carbohydrates a day and don't find that difficult, but the problem for me -- with perhaps weak kidneys -- is to keep protein consumption down. I find it really hard to hold protein down within the recommended range of 0.75g-1g per kilo of body weight a day. How do people not on diets ever manage to eat only that amount? I am switching away from meat, eggs, cheese, etc to green vegetables but this means a slightly higher level of carbs in exchange for the lower proteins. I have regular blood tests and HbA1c is fine. Never have potaoes, rice, pastry, cereals etc. Alcohol only on one occasion described below. I walk several miles every day. The main slight drawback is I still feel some hunger, but basically it is a healthy and happy way of life. A real contrast with the picture before I started.
My body still would like to drive my weight back up -- it must be my ghrelins, those hunger hormones which keep making me hungry. They want to take me back to where I was. Or you could say I am naturally just a greedy person.
So at Christmas I did an experiment and reverted to drinking whisky and one glass (18.7cl) of wine, Turkey, stuffing plus several mince pies, brandy butter, and a miniature Christmas pudding, all this over one and a half days only.The intake was much more than I normally eat but less than I would have done in the old days. But the results were horrific. Blood sugar went up a bit but not too much (6.2 compared to high 4s or low 5s) , but my weight shot up several kilos literally overnight. End of experiment and back weighing food again. Result: though it has taken a week, my weight is now down where it started two weeks ago but I have missd my year end targets. It was a useful experience because it confirms that the low carb life has to be for life and I am happy with that.
But reading those case histories of people who lost more than 50kg or 60kg, I do wonder how long it took them to do it and if they were doing something I am not. I am resigned to probably losing less than 10kg ın 2019, but I will go marching on (literally!). I would suggest that all Type Two diabetics consider doing the same. In my experience there is no downside and massive rewards. My main recommendation, measure or weigh everything, keep a record on an app, and see what you are doing and what the results are over time.