How can I reduce my waist size?

[Zanthe]

Hi, everyone. I'm new here and looking for advice about weight loss, specifically losing my belly fat. I've lost about 2lbs a week for about five weeks after starting a calorie counting diet. I've been using the MyFitnessPal app and I'm finding it really helps me stick to my diet. However, my waist size has not decreased at all. Has anyone experienced similar? Do you have any tips on how best to reduce waist size? I've recently given up wheat but that's made no difference. I'm cutting out sugar now too. Thanks for reading.

 

[LuisC]

Hi there! Great progress! congrats! However I am afraid you don't get to choose where you body gets the fat from. There is no such thing as spot fat reduction. So the only advice I dare to give you is to keep going. Make it your new "you". Life is a "marathon" not a "sprint". Keep the good work, make this healthy choices part of your new life and progress will show up in time.
Last but not least, try to engage in strength training, consume enough protein ~1.8g/kg and staff yourself with as many veggies you like . Don forget to enjoy the life! even if it comes with a cake or a toast or something that you do not consume daily, but you can try once in a while.
Good luck!

 

[Jo_the_boat]

I'm no expert but I think you may lose visceral fat first. That's all the rubbish round your liver for example, internal stuff. Then chins, belly etc. I'll probably get shot down in flames for this summation, but good for you, stick at it. (it was over six months till I could get in my wife's underwear).

 

[HSSS]

It’s not clear what type of diabetes you have and if it is under control or not. If you are type 2 then you are almost certainly insulin resistant. This means you fail to respond properly to insulin produced in response to carbs eaten (not just sugar, all carbs of all types and all colours). So you may well see better results for both control and in losing weight especially visceral fat (belly fat) by cutting carbs rather than calories. A large percentage of type 2 in here have had good results with this method of low carbs and higher fat. LCHF. It doesn’t have to be huge amounts of fat but avoid the low fat versions of stuff, not least because they typically are full of sugar instead.

Here are some links giving further info.

Can I suggest you take a good look at LCHF ie low carb higher fat (than typically recommended) methods of eating (keto is just a version of this). It helps many of us lose significant amounts of weight, if desired, keep our numbers down and for some even eliminate medications and achieve remission and reduce or improve complications, also other conditions frequently improve too. Try clicking these links for more detailed explanations that are well worth readings

https://www.diabetes.co.uk/forum/blog/jokalsbeek.401801/ for info including low carb made simple

And https://www.diabetes.co.uk/forum/category/success-stories-and-testimonials.43/ to show it really works and for motivation

and https://www.diabetes.co.uk/forum/threads/what-have-you-eaten-today.75781/ for food ideas

also https://www.dietdoctor.com/ for more food ideas and general info of carb content of foods. Lots of other websites for recipes out there too. Just use the term low carb or keto with whatever you fancy.


Also it’s very important to be able to check for yourself what’s happening so you can make the necessary adjustments day to day and meal by meal rather than wait 3, 6 or even 12 months and then have no idea what had what effect. Getting a blood glucose meter is the only way to do this (no matter what contradictory advice you may have heard - it’s usually budget based rather than anything more scientific). Please ask if you want any guidance on this.



IMPORTANT FOR ANYONE ON MEDS CONSIDERING LOWERING CARBS: if you lower your carbs then any glucose lowering meds may need to be adjusted accordingly to make sure you aren’t taking more than your new diet requires. It can cause a hypo if you have more gliclazide or insulin etc (this is not relevant for metformin on its own) than your new carb intake requires. Keep a close eye on your numbers and do this with your dr’s knowledge. Please don’t be put off by an ill informed out dated rubbishing of low carb diets or being told you should eat carbs to match meds, it should be the other way around.

 

[Zanthe]

Thanks, LuisC, Jo-the-boat, Helensarahmay, and HSSS. Really helpful answers. I think exercise is going to be key so that's what I'm going to focus on. Thanks again.

 

[carol43]

I'm no expert but I think you may lose visceral fat first. That's all the rubbish round your liver for example, internal stuff. Then chins, belly etc. I'll probably get shot down in flames for this summation, but good for you, stick at it. (it was over six months till I could get in my wife's underwear).

Did you wait until your wife was out before you tried on her underwear and does she know you are a cross-dresser?

 

[bonerp]

Have you tried Inulin which is a prebiotic powder that you can sprinkle on breakfast, bake with and use in tea and coffeee if so desired?

I've just starter taking it on breakfast muesli and the like and found no2's increase but a side effect seems to be more stable BG's which is an interesting effect.

I'll let you know how it goes, but exercise alone hasnt done it for me and neither has reducing portions. I only have a mild beer belly caused solely by over-indulgence last xmas, and that is my target over the next few months to see if things change.

 

[bulkbiker]

Thanks, LuisC, Jo-the-boat, Helensarahmay, and HSSS. Really helpful answers. I think exercise is going to be key so that's what I'm going to focus on. Thanks again.

Sorry but you can't outrun a bad diet...
What you put in your mouth is 80% of weight loss.. however I do not mean put less in but put the right food in.
Cut carbs and increase protein and fat for prolonged maintainable weight loss (that's what worked for me).

 

[HSSS]

Thanks, LuisC, Jo-the-boat, Helensarahmay, and HSSS. Really helpful answers. I think exercise is going to be key so that's what I'm going to focus on. Thanks again.

Not to detract from the validy of their answers (exercise is beneficial for us all) but some answers are from type 1, others from type 2 . Their reaction and mediation of the effects of carbs are different and stereotypically their weight issues are different

Being type 2 and typically insulin resistant means high levels of insulin (a fat storage hormone) are attempting to reduce blood sugar levels but failing, so store it as body fat instead. Reduce that insulin level by reducing demand for it by eating fewer carbs and you’ll store less body fat. Most of us lose weight especially around the middle much much easier this way than by trying to lower fats as generally advised.

Type 1 can usually (or aim to at least) match the insulin to the carbs and not have the excesses of insulin floating about unused for its purpose of utilising glucose.

 

[Resurgam]

I am almost three years from diagnosis and I am still seeing changes in shape - but from the start I was low carb and changes around my middle began almost at once.

 

[mouseee]

I've eaten LC and a bit HF for the 2 months I've been dxd and lost at least 3 inches from my waist so far only about 1/2 stone gone when I last looked. Things I was wearing in July are now huge on me. (No actual exercise but pretty active) also bs stable most days at 5 - 6.
Worth a look, I have never lost weight like this before. It was always very stubborn.

 

[angustia]

Hi, everyone. I'm new here and looking for advice about weight loss, specifically losing my belly fat. I've lost about 2lbs a week for about five weeks after starting a calorie counting diet. I've been using the MyFitnessPal app and I'm finding it really helps me stick to my diet. However, my waist size has not decreased at all. Has anyone experienced similar? Do you have any tips on how best to reduce waist size? I've recently given up wheat but that's made no difference. I'm cutting out sugar now too. Thanks for reading.

She's got a 2-mile belly-focused regime.

 

[HSSS]

She's got a 2-mile belly-focused regime.

Low Carbs not calories help more of us. My posts #3 and #10 are exactly how I’d reply to your concerns as well as the original posters.

 

[angustia]

Low Carbs not calories help more of us. My posts #3 and #10 are exactly how I’d reply to your concerns as well as the original posters.

EH? Semantics?

Whether it's about muscles and not weight loss, the fact seems to be the poster wants to "reduce some waistline."

Whether we "TONE," it or "LOSE" it...........does it really matter?
Post #3 had explained it. Well done!

You can explain it again, should you wish to. That'd be good as a reminder.

But you should read what I posted before you try correcting, or rebuking me! Thank you.


I'm not saying "don't do low -carb," nor am I saying exercise is the only remedy to reduce waistline,

however can we all agree that physical activities (which include, but is not limited to walking or dancing), along with dieting (low carbs), do count when it comes to "weight-loss?" Or, _________ ( whatever you prefer to call it?)

Do you disagree with that?

We're not all the same! Maybe you don't need any physical activities to reduce your waist - but some, do!

I'm simply giving an option to add to her arsenal - based on my experience, of course!

 

[DCUKMod]

Let's keep it civil ladies.

@angustia - Could I ask you to be very mindful that bold text is often perceived as shouting on these boards.

 

[DCUKMod]

@Zanthe - When I began modifying my way of eating to bring my blood sugars down, I have no idea whether I started losing weight immediately or not, as I didn't weigh myself for over 3 months, however, I did notice my clothes were looser.

My concerns were my blood sugars, not my weight. I carried a few extra pounds, but my major focus was on moderating my blood sugar readings.

I had always had a fairly up and down figure. My waist was never very hour-glassish, but I accepted that, until one day I noticed I had a waist. A proper waist!

I would say it was the lest thing to change, even though I had very quickly sorted out my blood glucose.

I often commented that it can take our bodies a little while to sort itself out when we lose weight. It's almost as if our body redistributes the remaining fat, over time.

We do all seem to be different; some note lots of weight loss, but not so much impact on the inches, and others quite the opposite.

I would urge you not to stress over it for the time being.

 

[HSSS]

EH? Semantics?

Whether it's about muscles and not weight loss, the fact seems to be the poster wants to "reduce some waistline."

Whether we "TONE," it or "LOSE" it...........does it really matter?
Post #3 had explained it. Well done!

You can explain it again, should you wish to. That'd be good as a reminder.

But you should read what I posted before you try correcting, or rebuking me! Thank you.


I'm not saying "don't do low -carb," nor am I saying exercise is the only remedy to reduce waistline,

however can we all agree that physical activities (which include, but is not limited to walking or dancing), along with dieting (low carbs), do count when it comes to "weight-loss?" Or, _________ ( whatever you prefer to call it?)

Do you disagree with that?

We're not all the same! Maybe you don't need any physical activities to reduce your waist - but some, do!

I'm simply giving an option to add to her arsenal - based on my experience, of course!

Ok I’ll start by saying I did indeed misread your post and mistakenly thought the quote in your post was from you rather than the original poster. Apologies. But nowhere did I correct or rebuke you.

As for the rest of your comment I said nothing at all that disagrees with you so I think you’ve done some misreading too!

answers (exercise is beneficial for us all)

Most of us lose weight especially around the middle much much easier this way

And I do think it matters whether we lose the belly fat or tone it in terms of health. Belly fat makes our diabetes worse. Far better losing what we can for health and tone what’s left for looks. Not an either/or.

 

[angustia]

Let's keep it civil ladies.

@angustia - Could I ask you to be very mindful that bold text is often perceived as shouting on these boards.

Thanks for letting me now about the bold text.
I use it for highlighting or emphasis - but will try to remember not to do it here.

 

[angustia]

Ok I’ll start by saying I did indeed misread your post and mistakenly thought the quote in your post was from you rather than the original poster. Apologies. But nowhere did I correct or rebuke you.

As for the rest of your comment I said nothing at all that disagrees with you so I think you’ve done some misreading too!

And I do think it matters whether we lose the belly fat or tone it in terms of health. Belly fat makes our diabetes worse. Far better losing what we can for health and tone what’s left for looks. Not an either/or.

I misunderstood why you quoted me and pointed me to posts #3 and #10, and misunderstood your motive for doing so.

It was baffling since all I did was to share info - kinda came across like I was trying to mislead her, or something. Anyway - that's past and forgotten.


Btw, is the poster even diabetic? Or, just want some weightloss advice/support? Particularly the belly area?
I ask because after having given up on wheat, she's now cutting out sugar ......

 

[HSSS]

Btw, is the poster even diabetic? Or, just want some weightloss advice/support? Particularly the belly area?
I ask because after having given up on wheat, she's now cutting out sugar ......

No idea. She didn’t say and hasn’t been back for more than 4weeks. And you’d be surprised how little some people know about the mechanics of diabetes. But that’s why we’re here, to provide info, help and support