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Disillusioned!

Keeping a food diary with all the test results is a bit of a chore initially. I used a simple spreadsheet, although this is not for everyone. I found patterns after a couple of weeks of testing each meal twice so I could eliminate particular foods. It also helped me with the discipline of taking regular exercise. When I noticed weight loss I started keeping a note of body measurements and weight at the bottom of the columns for that week. Remember it has taken you years to get to this point it may take a little while for you to reverse the trend and for it to be permanent but if I can do it, I was known for loving my food, almost anyone can if they really want it badly enough. Then the fun really begins - keeping the weight off without losing more, my current challenge.
 
Unfortunately losing weight when diabetes is in the offing is really difficult because all the things which make it easy to lose weight are conspicuously absent - energy for a starter.
As you are losing some weight all is not lost yet - just keep on with the program and hopefully your metabolism will correct itself, but I do recommend that you make it a permanent feature to keep your carbs low, as it does mean you can keep the weight loss rather than see it creeping back.
 
Thanks for all your input,it's somehow reassuring to know that there is a large community out there with similar dietary problems and the quest for solutions to them. Today I rejoined the local gym,a small step to fitness after being sedentary for 2 or 3 years. Finding out about "hidden" carbs also.
 
Phoenix55 said:
Keeping a food diary with all the test results is a bit of a chore initially. I used a simple spreadsheet, although this is not for everyone. I found patterns after a couple of weeks of testing each meal twice so I could eliminate particular foods. It also helped me with the discipline of taking regular exercise. When I noticed weight loss I started keeping a note of body measurements and weight at the bottom of the columns for that week. Remember it has taken you years to get to this point it may take a little while for you to reverse the trend and for it to be permanent but if I can do it, I was known for loving my food, almost anyone can if they really want it badly enough. Then the fun really begins - keeping the weight off without losing more, my current challenge.
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Totally agree I've always struggled to lose weight and never knew why, since finding this site with the information and help from people on here it's changed my life. I do exactly what you have advised Ballerina and it works,lost over a stone in weight but on LCHF diet it's the fats loss that's made the biggest impact. Now I'm down three dress sizes since starting this diet in January, and I do allow occasional treats at weekend but found I cannot do carbs they really spike my BG levels.
 
Joining the gym is great but actually walking is one of the best, cheapest and most effective exercises. Personally I found that a walk of 20 mins or so straight after a meal was very effective in reducing Blood glucose levels (use your meter after meals and then after a walk test again). At the gym I recommend some weight training. It's great for building muscle and extra muscle takes up more glucose. I'd also suggest taking body measurements - waist, thigh, upper arm and retaking those after a few weeks of low carb (and maybe monthly thereafter) as it's not all about weight as especially if you are building up muscle, then weight can stay the same but you can still go down a dress size.
LCHF definitely works for most people. I cut out bread, wheat, pasta, pastries, rice, potatoes, root veg, most fruits except berries and upped my intake of good fats, avocado, fatty cuts of meat, full fat dairy, cheese, cream, olive oil, coconut oil. BG levels improved, lipid profile (cholesterol) improved, several minor ailments disappeared, boundless energy, etc etc.
For general fitness in a short period of time High Intensity Interval Training (HIITs)works in just 5 minutes a day. One of the easiest is the 30,20 10 method. Walk for 30 seconds, jog, 20 seconds, run as fast as you can 10 seconds and repeat 4 or 5 times. At the start you can just walk, walk faster and jog if you can and then build up. I now jog, jog faster and then run all out for 10 seconds and went from not being able to run 50 yards to completing a 10k in under an hour less than a year after I started.
I still drink red wine too! :)
 
Thanks seadragon! Lots of good advice there. I would like to be able to run 10k next year,maybe a parkrun first. But I'm getting ahead of myself,need to get the lchf diet part of my life permanently. Doing OK,crave sweets while watching TV,and have cut down on fruits which I used to gorge on! Anyway,love to hear others "stories" and ways of coping.
 
Phoenix55 said:
Keeping a food diary with all the test results is a bit of a chore initially. I used a simple spreadsheet, although this is not for everyone. I found patterns after a couple of weeks of testing each meal twice so I could eliminate particular foods. It also helped me with the discipline of taking regular exercise. When I noticed weight loss I started keeping a note of body measurements and weight at the bottom of the columns for that week. Remember it has taken you years to get to this point it may take a little while for you to reverse the trend and for it to be permanent but if I can do it, I was known for loving my food, almost anyone can if they really want it badly enough. Then the fun really begins - keeping the weight off without losing more, my current challenge.
Click to expand...
There are days when it feels like, 'why do I bother'. Yet the benefits are worth the long term goals.
 
I successfully did low carbs diet... and I love my carbs more than the average person. Don't know what a stone weighs, but I lost 20kg

Are you eating extra protein (low fat/lean)? Getting more protein helps too I found. Protein for snacks. Also I found lots of snacks rather than big meals helped.

What about exercise? Can you add more activity? Even small things like standing instead of sitting, walking - wherever possible, you have to do it.
If you have appetite/hunger problems, make a strong cup of coffee (avoid cafe style/real coffee where 90% is milk, even low fat milk - lactose counts too!)
 
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