• Guest, the forum is undergoing some upgrades and so the usual themes will be unavailable for a few days. In the meantime, you can use the forum like normal. We'd love to know what you think about the forum! Take the 2025 Survey »

confused dot com

R

Ruth1501

Member
Hi all - Im new to the site but have been a diabetic for 10 years. I thought I had my diabetes under control but am becoming confused .... help!
When first diagnosed I was told I was type 2 and put on Metformin - these did nothing to help and I was quite quickly put on insulin (lantus morning and evening and humalog with each meal). I was under 40 when diagnosed. My dr then said she suspected I was type 1.
Again when first diagnosed I lost a lot of weight but have, over the years regained it and more. I've tried so many diets - all unsuccessful - or lost some and then put more back on! I'm desparate to lose weight now as I know it's so unhealthy. My husband and I have recently taken a year out of work and are currently in Australia travelling (from UK) - I was sure that with a healthy diet and increased exercise the weight would start to come off. However 6 month into our adventure - a much healthier lifestyle than back home and Ive not lost a thing! I was also advised to eat carbs but looking at info on this site - is this wrong? I'm confused again! lol
Anyway - I'm so desparate that I've even considered reducing my insulin and running with high bg levels in a hope to lose the weight.
Hope someone out there can help!!!
 
Hello Ruth!

There are a lot of reasons that can hinder losing weight. It would be helpful if you could let us know a typical days food (and be really honest!!) and what you inject for it. Also what exercise you are doing.

Personally I gained 3 stone after going onto Levemir and it took several years to discover I was allergic to it. The only way I could start to lose the weight was by exercising no less than 5 days a week and eating a VERY low calorie diet. It was awful and then when I discovered the reaction to Levemir and came off it the weight has literally been dropping off! One option is to consider trying other insulins.

Another thing is to ask your doctor to test your thyroid. My doctor is always doing this as apparantly problems with it can be linked to diabetes.

If you post your diet and exercise details we can have a look and see what we can all do to help you :)
 
Thanks Rob and MushyPeaBrain :)

Back home I know I ate a lot of 'wrong' stuff - eg takeaways, crisps and chocolate and we ate out a lot at pubs/restaurants ... but was so determined when we came to Australia for a year, and being on a restricted budget and chocolate being soooo expensive over here, that my diet has changed significantly. But still no weight loss 6 months into our trip - well maybe about 1/2 a stone but as I've got about 4 stone to lose that feels irrelevant.

A typical day now is fruit and yogurt for breakfast or a slice of toast (wholemeal) with marmite, or museli.
Lunch is always a salad ... with usually one (sometimes two) slices of wholemeal bread. A spoonful of saladcream - generally with egg or cheese, sometimes with cold meat.
Evening meal is generally a baked potato, salad and chicken, or cheese and beans baked potato, or something made with rice or pasta (cheap and I thought good for my diet).
I drink hot water or diet drinks so not taking any sugar in drinks. Don't eat between meals and exercise dependent on my foot (as I have severe pain in my heel at the moment) - but I do swim whenever I can - at least 2-3 times a week and when my foot is ok have been going for a walk every morning for at least 45 mins. Back home I used to swim a mile 3 times a week and walk my dog every day so I'm not allergic to exercise by any means but I am limited a little at the moment with my painful foot.

I take humalog insulin before meals and adjust it according to what I'm eating, and lantus morning and evening (20 in morning and 10 at night).

Hope this gives you a bit more info to enable you to give me some hints and tips. Oh I'm 47 and generally very healthy - bg levels are usually good too - between 4 and 10 (a few hypos but I treat them quickly). I have thyroid tested every 2 years as my mum had problems with her thyroid.

Thanks for your help/support.
Ruth
 
I've just found 'Viv's Diet' so will be trying that for a couple of weeks to see how I get on - already feeling more positive about things - thanks.
Ruth
 
Your healthy diet was mine too before I was diagnosed. Since low carbing, I have lost over 60lbs in about 8 months. Am not on any medication which obviously makes a difference but even so! I have diabetic friends that stick to a carby diet. One has lost weight, one hasn't. Now whether that is down to their lifestyle or their meds I don't know. All I do know is that a low carb diet ( similar to Viv's diet ) has really worked for me. Good luck with yours! :D
 
Hmmm your current diet does sound very healthy. Are you being careful with your portion sizes? Have you ever calculated your daily calories for a week?

I used the free trial on some diet site (Nutracheck) to add up exactly what I was consuming each day and it was very interesting. I am only 5ft 2" and so the suggested diet of 1400 calories was too high for me to lose weight. However your body holds onto weight if you eat too little as it goes into famine mode.

Another thing you might need to consider is changing the type of exercise you do. I do cardio 3 times a week but what had the most impact on me was exercise with weights. This built muscle, which burns more calories, and has given me a toned figure. You don't need to do heavy weights to make a difference. I think you would benefit from changing the type of exercise you do to wake up your metabolism. Even once a week with an exercise DVD would make a huge difference. I use Davina as it's very clear and not too rushed.

I do agree with the others about low carb working but it's not always that easy and I felt hungry too often. You need to find what works for you.

Also drinking more water helps as that speeds up metabolism and also helps you feel full for longer.

I think if you make these changes and nothing happens you should consider trying changing from Lantus. There are so many posts on all sorts of forums from people that say Lantus causes weight gain. It's certainly something worth considering!

Hope some of this is helpful :mrgreen:
 
Thanks guys for your hints - I'll try them and hopefully see a new me in 6 months time! lol
I've done 2 days on low carb diet and already feeling better - more allert ???? not so groggy ??? does this sound normal? And have been able to reduce both my humalog and lantus insulin. Going to take some getting used to but am all geared up for this to work for me.

Thanks again.
Ruth
 
Hi Ruth

That's exactly how I feel on low carb. It energises me, and I also get a terrific feeling from being in control, which I find very motivating.

Perservere with it. It's not for everyone, but if you can cope with it, it works!

Viv :)
 
Back
Top