- Messages
- 570
- Type of diabetes
- Type 1
- Treatment type
- Insulin
I have now been following a low carb diet since the end of January. I saw my diabetes consultant around this time, and he was extremely skeptical. He told me I should come back for another clinic four months down the line, to see how my diet was affecting me. That appointment was today, and the results are quite interesting. I turned up expecting another battle of wills with him, but as it turned out he was away on annual leave for a couple of weeks. Therefore I saw another consultant, and she was much more positive about my approach. She had read my file, and done some research on my methods. However, not all of my results came back with positive changes. Below I will list my results before and after:
Weight: January 2014 71kg June 2014 79kg
HBA1C: January 2014 37 June 2014 37
Cholesterol: January 2014 2.9 June 2014 4.2
HDL Cholesterol: January 2014 1.2 June 2014 1.5
LDL Cholesterol: January 2014 1.5 June 2014 2.5
So my weight has gone up quite significantly. At 79kg (12.5 stone) I am still within an ok weight range, being 5'11", but I was a lot more comfortable at my previous weight. My HBA1C is exactly the same, just without the massive amounts of hypos now, which was the main thing I was aiming for. My LDL cholesterol has also gone up, which is not the best news in the world.
My consultant was very pleased with my blood sugars, and said her only concern was my cholesterol rising. I said that to begin with my main goal was to get my blood sugars under control, and then I would look at how to deal with other problem areas as they arose. She commended this approach, saying it was sensible and manageable. She said to come back in a few months so that they can assess how the changes are affecting me. All in all a very good appointment, with loads more support than I expected.
Going forward, I am making a number of changes now that I know where i need to tighten up. First off is an easy one; measuring quantities of add ons. By this I mean cream in my coffee, and mayonnaise on my plate. I tend to just add loads of each, which probably is not the best idea in the world. Secondly, measuring portion sizes. I have found lately that I feel quite stuffed when I have finished eating. My ravenous hunger from my high carb days has mostly abated, so there is no need for me to have masses and masses of food on my plate. I intend to aim for around 100g of protein a day to begin with, and see how I get on. I am keeping notes on my protein and carbs at each meal, and my exercise, so my dietician can work with me to find the correct insulin ratios. Lastly, it's time to start cycling again! At the beginning of this year, I was fairly new to being self employed, and did not have much business. Therefore, I had loads of time to get out on the bike, and I could easily cover 30 miles or more in a day. Around the time I started the diet, I also started getting more clients. I was so busy learning to cook low carb meals, and deal with my business, I lost the time and motivation to cycle. I think this more than anything has led to my weight gain, as I am now around the weight I was before I started cycling 3 years ago. I cycled to my diabetic clinic today, and it felt great to be out on the bike again, so this is a clear sign to get out and about more!
So to sum up; Goal 1 achieved, my blood sugars have largely been tamed. Now it's time to lose a bit of weight and do some more exercise!
Any thoughts or suggestions about my plans greatly appreciated
Weight: January 2014 71kg June 2014 79kg
HBA1C: January 2014 37 June 2014 37
Cholesterol: January 2014 2.9 June 2014 4.2
HDL Cholesterol: January 2014 1.2 June 2014 1.5
LDL Cholesterol: January 2014 1.5 June 2014 2.5
So my weight has gone up quite significantly. At 79kg (12.5 stone) I am still within an ok weight range, being 5'11", but I was a lot more comfortable at my previous weight. My HBA1C is exactly the same, just without the massive amounts of hypos now, which was the main thing I was aiming for. My LDL cholesterol has also gone up, which is not the best news in the world.
My consultant was very pleased with my blood sugars, and said her only concern was my cholesterol rising. I said that to begin with my main goal was to get my blood sugars under control, and then I would look at how to deal with other problem areas as they arose. She commended this approach, saying it was sensible and manageable. She said to come back in a few months so that they can assess how the changes are affecting me. All in all a very good appointment, with loads more support than I expected.
Going forward, I am making a number of changes now that I know where i need to tighten up. First off is an easy one; measuring quantities of add ons. By this I mean cream in my coffee, and mayonnaise on my plate. I tend to just add loads of each, which probably is not the best idea in the world. Secondly, measuring portion sizes. I have found lately that I feel quite stuffed when I have finished eating. My ravenous hunger from my high carb days has mostly abated, so there is no need for me to have masses and masses of food on my plate. I intend to aim for around 100g of protein a day to begin with, and see how I get on. I am keeping notes on my protein and carbs at each meal, and my exercise, so my dietician can work with me to find the correct insulin ratios. Lastly, it's time to start cycling again! At the beginning of this year, I was fairly new to being self employed, and did not have much business. Therefore, I had loads of time to get out on the bike, and I could easily cover 30 miles or more in a day. Around the time I started the diet, I also started getting more clients. I was so busy learning to cook low carb meals, and deal with my business, I lost the time and motivation to cycle. I think this more than anything has led to my weight gain, as I am now around the weight I was before I started cycling 3 years ago. I cycled to my diabetic clinic today, and it felt great to be out on the bike again, so this is a clear sign to get out and about more!
So to sum up; Goal 1 achieved, my blood sugars have largely been tamed. Now it's time to lose a bit of weight and do some more exercise!
Any thoughts or suggestions about my plans greatly appreciated
