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How did you get started with low carb?
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<blockquote data-quote="viviennem" data-source="post: 250635" data-attributes="member: 31282"><p>Hi Longthorpe, and welcome!</p><p></p><p>I got into low carb long before diabetes. I have been dieting for 40 years, and in that time only managed to double my weight :shock: . If I had a fiver for every pound I've ever lost I'd be able to book a world cruise!</p><p></p><p>I could lose weight in lots of ways, but it never stayed off, and I knew high carb/low fat diets didn't suit me, though I believed most sincerely that this was the healthy way to go. I had raised blood pressure, raised cholesterol, and bordelrine blood glucose. Eventually (April 2004) I decided to have a look at Atkins. Despite being brain-washed in the low fat theory, I decided that trying Atkins would likely not kill me any more quickly than I was going to die anyway if I didn't do something! I discussed it with my doctor, and he and the practice nurse supported me hugely.</p><p></p><p>I lost 5.5 stone in 18 months, came off all BP and cholesterol medications, and my blood glucose went right down. Sadly, in November 2005 I completely lost the plot (for reasons I won't go into) and went back to my old ways. In April 2010, weighing 21 stone and back on the BP meds, I was diagnosed diabetic (though not with frighteningly high readings) which I flatly refused to believe as I was in the middle of house move number 24, the most stressful one I have ever done :shock: . I knew what to do about it, though; I went straight back on to Atkins, and turned an HbA1c of 6.5 around to 5.6 in 3 months. </p><p></p><p>I decided, diabetic or not, that if I didn't behave like a diabetic I very soon would have the full-blown affair, and have been trying to stick to my diet ever since. I've had a few more slips this time, and more wine <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite10" alt=":oops:" title="Oops! :oops:" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":oops:" /> , but slowly and surely I'm getting there. I've lost nearly 5 stone so far this time. I take Metformin to help with the weight loss and because it gives some protection against CVD and stroke. I'm off the BP meds again <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite7" alt=":p" title="Stick Out Tongue :p" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":p" /> and in general very happy with my lifestyle.</p><p></p><p>I can't exercise much this time round, though last time I walked at least 25 miles every week (just dog-walking!), which I am sure helped a lot. But my HbA1cs are always in the 5s now (lowest 5.2) and on the diet all my BGs are below 6, mostly below 5.5. Unless I have a slip!</p><p></p><p>My diet is a Sticky Thread on here called <em>Viv's Modified Atkins Diet</em>. It's more extreme than your doctor recommends (what an enlightened GP!), in which case add in more Low GI carbs and cut down on the fat, to balance. It does work, for BGs and for weight loss. Now I 'eat to my meter', and the weight loss is a welcome side-effect. I don't obsess about it any more - 4st more to go, at least, but it will eventually. And if you do it slowly the skin doesn't get so wrinkly :lol: I lkie my diet, and will be able to add in more carbs once all the weight is off.</p><p></p><p>I honestly think that deciding you're doing it for your blood glucose (has your doctor given you a meter? he sounds as though he might, and it would really help you), for your health, and not obsessing about the weight, is the way to go. Slow and steady; you have to motivate yourself. Do you really want full-blown diabetes? Have a look at some of the complications that can develop - no, you don't! You're modifying your lifestyle, so you have to find something you can maintain. Doesn't mean you can't have treats - but not often, they're for special occasions now. </p><p></p><p>There are other ways of keeping good control - some do it on more carbs than me, some do it by strict portion control. Everyone is different. Have a look round the forum and see what you think. Whatever you choose, you'll get lots of support on here. <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite8" alt=":D" title="Big Grin :D" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":D" /> </p><p></p><p>Viv 8)</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="viviennem, post: 250635, member: 31282"] Hi Longthorpe, and welcome! I got into low carb long before diabetes. I have been dieting for 40 years, and in that time only managed to double my weight :shock: . If I had a fiver for every pound I've ever lost I'd be able to book a world cruise! I could lose weight in lots of ways, but it never stayed off, and I knew high carb/low fat diets didn't suit me, though I believed most sincerely that this was the healthy way to go. I had raised blood pressure, raised cholesterol, and bordelrine blood glucose. Eventually (April 2004) I decided to have a look at Atkins. Despite being brain-washed in the low fat theory, I decided that trying Atkins would likely not kill me any more quickly than I was going to die anyway if I didn't do something! I discussed it with my doctor, and he and the practice nurse supported me hugely. I lost 5.5 stone in 18 months, came off all BP and cholesterol medications, and my blood glucose went right down. Sadly, in November 2005 I completely lost the plot (for reasons I won't go into) and went back to my old ways. In April 2010, weighing 21 stone and back on the BP meds, I was diagnosed diabetic (though not with frighteningly high readings) which I flatly refused to believe as I was in the middle of house move number 24, the most stressful one I have ever done :shock: . I knew what to do about it, though; I went straight back on to Atkins, and turned an HbA1c of 6.5 around to 5.6 in 3 months. I decided, diabetic or not, that if I didn't behave like a diabetic I very soon would have the full-blown affair, and have been trying to stick to my diet ever since. I've had a few more slips this time, and more wine :oops: , but slowly and surely I'm getting there. I've lost nearly 5 stone so far this time. I take Metformin to help with the weight loss and because it gives some protection against CVD and stroke. I'm off the BP meds again :P and in general very happy with my lifestyle. I can't exercise much this time round, though last time I walked at least 25 miles every week (just dog-walking!), which I am sure helped a lot. But my HbA1cs are always in the 5s now (lowest 5.2) and on the diet all my BGs are below 6, mostly below 5.5. Unless I have a slip! My diet is a Sticky Thread on here called [i]Viv's Modified Atkins Diet[/i]. It's more extreme than your doctor recommends (what an enlightened GP!), in which case add in more Low GI carbs and cut down on the fat, to balance. It does work, for BGs and for weight loss. Now I 'eat to my meter', and the weight loss is a welcome side-effect. I don't obsess about it any more - 4st more to go, at least, but it will eventually. And if you do it slowly the skin doesn't get so wrinkly :lol: I lkie my diet, and will be able to add in more carbs once all the weight is off. I honestly think that deciding you're doing it for your blood glucose (has your doctor given you a meter? he sounds as though he might, and it would really help you), for your health, and not obsessing about the weight, is the way to go. Slow and steady; you have to motivate yourself. Do you really want full-blown diabetes? Have a look at some of the complications that can develop - no, you don't! You're modifying your lifestyle, so you have to find something you can maintain. Doesn't mean you can't have treats - but not often, they're for special occasions now. There are other ways of keeping good control - some do it on more carbs than me, some do it by strict portion control. Everyone is different. Have a look round the forum and see what you think. Whatever you choose, you'll get lots of support on here. :D Viv 8) [/QUOTE]
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