My low carb/IF Diet - BG and progress

[RogerRam]

The Libre isn't available on the NHS, so anyone using it is funding it themselves.
The first purchase (reader and 2 sensors) works out at approx £135, after that, you use a sensor when you want, at about £50 each for 2 week sensor-life.

So it has an ongoing cost. I suppose we all have to weigh up the benefits v the drawbacks... I love it, but can't justify year round use, unfortunately.

Crikey, that's pretty expensive! Here in France Le Lecteur & Le Capteur are each €59.90, £45.70 at todays rate that is poor-the €:£ is not good at the moment.

 

[Debmcgee]

Wow Brun - that's a big investment. Do I need one lol?!??! I do love a gadget but trying to save for a holiday in 2017!!

 

[Brunneria]

Wow Brun - that's a big investment.

I know!

Didn't know whether it was a good idea or not - such a risk, eh?
But now i think it is worth its weight in gold. taught me so much.

 

[Debmcgee]

@DrRogerRam don't sell yourself short!! A doctor is a doctor. Perhaps you can tell me why I've spent the last year sabotaging myself when I knew it was wrong but did it anyway?!?! My aunt had lots of complications from T2 so I've seen what it can do but I just let myself go. I feel stronger mentally than ever now though to take charge and so far so good. It's my 40th bday in 2 weeks and I've not bothered to arrange anything because I want to stay on the wagon and I'm trying to think like an abstaining alcoholic. I may treat myself to a takeaway but it'll be as low carb as possible!!

X

 

[Debmcgee]

I know!

Didn't know whether it was a good idea or not - such a risk, eh?
But now i think it is worth its weight in gold. taught me so much.

Maybe I'll ask Santa next year....why does this **** need to be so bloody expensive?!!

 

[RogerRam]

@DrRogerRam don't sell yourself short!! A doctor is a doctor. Perhaps you can tell me why I've spent the last year sabotaging myself when I knew it was wrong but did it anyway?!?! My aunt had lots of complications from T2 so I've seen what it can do but I just let myself go. I feel stronger mentally than ever now though to take charge and so far so good. It's my 40th bday in 2 weeks and I've not bothered to arrange anything because I want to stay on the wagon and I'm trying to think like an abstaining alcoholic. I may treat myself to a takeaway but it'll be as low carb as possible!!

X

There is an idea (could be wrong, of course) that if we self-sabotage that's a good way to maintain a "foul but familiar" pattern. Why? It is easier for us to manage what is familiar-we are used to it. Doing something different & feeling good can take some getting used to. When I was doing my training with personal therapy throughout one of the most important things I learnt was to put myself first so I was OK & could work with others. Our tutor said if that sounds self-ish try 'self-ing' & practise making sure you choose good things for your self so that from your surplus of well-being you are able to look after others.

Maybe your 40th could be a good day to 'play with' selfing?

 

[Emmar]

I'm not sure if this is the appropriate place for me to ask for a wee bit of help - I don't want to hijack another posters thread but I'm new to the forum and finding navigating a little confusing. I am on my first day of trying to lower my carbs and have a couple of questions - firstly if you are following a low carb diet do you have to include high fat foods? Secondly during the early days of your body getting used to low carb what "side effects" did you experience? I'm currently suffering one of the worst headaches I can remember. I'm T2 and my BS levels have been high for a while so I r ally need to get on top of this healthy diet malarkey. Any info would be gratefully received.

 

[Debmcgee]

Hi Emmar
Welcome. Please don't worry about hijacking - I've set this thread up not only to track my progress but to present the nitty gritty and so you're more than welcome. We've all been where you are and it's so daunting.

Yes LCHF works because fat is the only food group that doesn't impact bg. Protein is good but if you eat too much or not e Pugh fat, it will convert to glycogen and in turn raise your bg. You can't be expected to drop a whole food group without replacing it with something - a good way to think of it is like the opposite of low fat foods - the day's been stripped and loads of sugar has been added in its place.

When I started last time I couldn't believe this was a healthy way to live but it's been the best diet for my health and the only one I've stuck to for a proper amount of time.

As for side effects - the first time I went low carb I had a headache for three days and this was definitely carb withdrawal. Keep strong and get out the other side. You'll feel better tomorrow or Sunday, promise.

And you can say goodbye to carb coma after meals. It is true that energy levels are improved once the carbs are out.

Drink lots, eat decent food (don't go too crazy tho and be mindful of portion size). Diet doctor.com is fab and so is Jason Fung.

If you have any questions - just shout. This place is amazing. No judgement, just help and support.

Xxx

 

[Debmcgee]

I think you're right Doc! I think being fat gives me something to blame if I'm not good enough or perhaps I like making life harder by being fatter?! Anyway whatever the reason, I want to change.

I've got this other thing in my head that bothers me..,,I really hate this face-value world we live in. Everyone is so shallow and judge everything by looks which is so wrong. If I stay fat, then I can only be judged for the me inside?!! Dunno.

I don't really see 40 as a milestone - it's just another year to me. I really like myself and going out is a big load of hassle and really expensive as I have to pay for babysitting on top of a night on the tiles. I think there's too many cons outweighing the pros. I don't want to do anything really that involves food or booze. It's poison to me.....xx

 

[Emmar]

Thank you so much for the reply. It's a relief to know the headache isn't unusual! There's so much to learn, retraining the brain and body. I didn't realise the fat part of the diet was equally important and was just going to up my protein considerably which appears to be the wrong thing to do so thanks again. I have a lot of reading to do! X

 

[Debmcgee]

Do you have a monitor to test bg? You can get a cheap one from home health and track your progress - I find that's my biggest motivator.

The worst thing about starting low carb is the weighing and measuring. I made a spreadsheet of all my low carb ingredients and then calculated all my recipes. I also measured bg before eating then at 1 and 2 hours after to track impact of foods. Now I know what works for me....

 

[Clivethedrive]

Thank you so much for the reply. It's a relief to know the headache isn't unusual! There's so much to learn, retraining the brain and body. I didn't realise the fat part of the diet was equally important and was just going to up my protein considerably which appears to be the wrong thing to do so thanks again. I have a lot of reading to do! X

Hi Emmar,just a quick hello, you would find Diet 101 by jenny rhul very informative,clive

 

[Debmcgee]

Wasn't hungry at all this morning so pleased about that!

L: homemade doner kebab in lettuce and cabbage coleslaw. Diet Coke.

S: Gouda babybel, few almonds

D: steamed salmon, spinach in cream, spring onion and garlic sauce. So good!! Frozen cheesecake fluff for dessert.

I'm thinking of giving up diet drinks after seeing that show yesterday.....I'm thinking Monday

 

[Clivethedrive]

Wasn't hungry at all this morning so pleased about that!

L: homemade doner kebab in lettuce and cabbage coleslaw. Diet Coke.

S: Gouda babybel, few almonds

D: steamed salmon, spinach in cream, spring onion and garlic sauce. So good!! Frozen cheesecake fluff for dessert.

I'm thinking of giving up diet drinks after seeing that show yesterday.....I'm thinking Monday

Never put off 'til tomorrow what you can do today

 

[4ratbags]

@Debmcgee I was inspired by your thread last night so I thought I would give the 18:6 a go myself so I started this morning and it has been easier than I thought it would be. Please keep us up to date on how cutting out the Diet Coke goes as its one thing I havnt been able to give up yet so I am interested in how you get on.

 

[AndBreathe]

There is an idea (could be wrong, of course) that if we self-sabotage that's a good way to maintain a "foul but familiar" pattern. Why? It is easier for us to manage what is familiar-we are used to it. Doing something different & feeling good can take some getting used to. When I was doing my training with personal therapy throughout one of the most important things I learnt was to put myself first so I was OK & could work with others. Our tutor said if that sounds self-ish try 'self-ing' & practise making sure you choose good things for your self so that from your surplus of well-being you are able to look after others.

Maybe your 40th could be a good day to 'play with' selfing?

Sounds like you're describing it like the psychological equivalent of carb craving......

 

[Debmcgee]

@Debmcgee I was inspired by your thread last night so I thought I would give the 18:6 a go myself so I started this morning and it has been easier than I thought it would be. Please keep us up to date on how cutting out the Diet Coke goes as its one thing I havnt been able to give up yet so I am interested in how you get on.

Wow I'm am inspiration!! Thank you!

The fasting thing really is ok and hopefully it will result in loads of weight off and improved bg...

Breaking the Coke habit will be hard......

 

[4ratbags]

I always thought I couldnt do it but I did and it was fine. My BS did drop to 3.5 before lunch but I felt ok.

 

[Debmcgee]

Messed up FBG today but took it anyway - 7.3 so I'm disregarding it.

Got a letter from gp yesterday to get full blood work done. For some reason, I want to put it off for another two months so I give myself a chance to improve before facing a lecture from doc. This is wrong right? I am just mindful that I won't get the Opportunity to have another test in three months.

Got a headache this morning - think it's stress from work. I'm being sent on a training course one day a week for a month but apparently I'm not allowed to claim travel back, despite it being a much bigger journey. That in itself is nothing major, but added that I'm on such a ridiculous wage and work way more than my contracted hours in order to provide for the kids' needs in my classroom, it annoys me. Also my teacher is under pressure so I've been on the receiving end, despite me being more than on top of my game and going way beyond the call of duty....

Now it's the weekend and I have to tackle the house! Good exercise I suppose but I do wish my kids would be less messy...

 

[Clivethedrive]

Hi, Debmcgee, don't worry about the odd blip, we all get them as we start , i guess we all feel under pressure in one way or another,make the most of where your at " now" and delegate jobs where you can, suggest getting your bs's done sooner,as these show you what you can be working on,( ask for printout) keep at it