Newbie trying Newcastle diet.

[The little white hen]

No wonder you are smiling! Well done.

The difficult bit starts now though. Not sure how much attention you like, but I found some comments awkward. People were so curious about weight loss sometimes to the point of being rude.

As for future diet / eating regime, there are some threads in here with ideas for low carb meals, and some lovely supportive members who will advise.

Good luck in maintaining weight and good BG control. Long term, like forever!

I ask, (pretty please) keep posting to encourage and support others. Until recently it had been kind of lonely being one of the few successful Newcastle dieters (some would regard that as weirdo/liar/bullmucker etc.) For some of us, ND Is the answer to solving the initial pancreas overload. You have followed procedure set out by the Newcastle team, persuaded medics to get onboard and support you, and not had unrealistic expectations.

I applaud you!

Thank you I am doing well maintaining and have only put on 2 lbs in total since I ended the ND and I seem to be holding steady at that. I am following a low carb diet and keeping to the ten week exercise programme that was given to me by the gym linked to the hospital. I work out for 1 hour three times a week and its a hard set. cardio twice a week weights once a week. I have also kept up the more active part of my lifestyle changes and walk more places than I did before I was diagnosed. I intend to keep that up even after the ten week programme as I think long lean muscle is vital to good long term health. Its still early days but I'm happy with the food and the lifestyle and the fact I am maintaining well. Despite a wedding, two meals out and a family party. I just chose low carb options when possible and kept any treats to healthy (fresh fruit) or a small amount. All I can do now is keep going.

 

[The little white hen]

Exactly right: diet is how you lose weight, exercise is how you get healthy. There are lots of thin people who are not healthy . . . and lots of otherwise healthy people who are carrying extra weight.

But it's a lot easier to exercise after you've lost weight than it is to lose weight by exercising. So again, the reason to exercise while on the Newcastle isn't to speed the weightloss - the reason to exercise while on Newcastle is to reduce the loss of muscle while you're losing all the fat, and at the same time limit the damage to your metabolism.

I have not been on for a while due to a computer breakdown (blue screen of Death). I am now 4 weeks into the 10 week exercise programme arranged by my specialist and I am starting to build long lean muscle. I go a minimum of three times a week and follow a programme. I did do a little exercise whilst on ND but nothing like this. I am still maintain my weight at 12st 71/2lbs that's only 2lbs more than my end weight. I am eating a normal amount now. When I ended ND I increased to 1200cals,then 1500cals and now I am at around 2000cals a day. However, I eat low carb and when I do eat them they are only whole grain based and I don't eat processed foods at all. I am feel great. I have next visit to specialist at the start of June and I will update on new Hba1c ect then.

 

[Pipp]

Brilliant. Well done!
Please keep us updated from time to time. It helps to see the long term bigger picture.

 

[Roytaylorjasonfunglover]

I have not been on for a while due to a computer breakdown (blue screen of Death). I am now 4 weeks into the 10 week exercise programme arranged by my specialist and I am starting to build long lean muscle. I go a minimum of three times a week and follow a programme. I did do a little exercise whilst on ND but nothing like this. I am still maintain my weight at 12st 71/2lbs that's only 2lbs more than my end weight. I am eating a normal amount now. When I ended ND I increased to 1200cals,then 1500cals and now I am at around 2000cals a day. However, I eat low carb and when I do eat them they are only whole grain based and I don't eat processed foods at all. I am feel great. I have next visit to specialist at the start of June and I will update on new Hba1c ect then.

So nice that you are updating, your story is so inspiring and uplifting for the others on the forum. Good luck and keep us updated , you have a done a magnificent piece of work and hope it goes well in the future with the exercise

 

[sammyhatesdiabetes]

Hi everyone, new to this forum but been following some of you popular ones (feel as though I know you lol). Anyway think I'd like to join in as this is now my 4th week on the Newcastle diet and would love some support. I am type 2 and have been for around 6 years. Now feel time to take charge. I am on 2000mg metformin, 2 morning and 2 nightly. When I started I knew I would be high so did not want to test straight away. Anyway needless to say after 3 days in fasting bg was around 9.2. Cut a long story short. I am now seeing around 5.5 - 5.8 fasting and around 4.7 during day long after my shake. Then this evening I thought I'd test 30 mins after shake and it was a pleasing 5.3. Wondered if this is good and if this is just because it is only a shake. What would happen if it was a regular meal. Has anyone had experience of their bg after meals soon after eating a normal meal once they finished Newcastle. Also when did you make the decision to drop meds, what was the determining factor? Would be grateful if anyone would be happy to share their journey.

I have to say it was very hard at the beginning but even now I am literally drooling when I see anyone biting a sandwich, quite embarrassing lol. I started at 13.11 stone on 13th April and now 12.12 stone so going down slowly but I'm happy with it. Go on holiday a week after it finishes so kind of focusses me.

Thanks for listening, really hope that I lose this awful condition at the end of this gruelling 8 weeks

 

[Arab Horse]

Hi everyone, new to this forum but been following some of you popular ones (feel as though I know you lol). Anyway think I'd like to join in as this is now my 4th week on the Newcastle diet and would love some support. I am type 2 and have been for around 6 years. Now feel time to take charge. I am on 2000mg metformin, 2 morning and 2 nightly. When I started I knew I would be high so did not want to test straight away. Anyway needless to say after 3 days in fasting bg was around 9.2. Cut a long story short. I am now seeing around 5.5 - 5.8 fasting and around 4.7 during day long after my shake. Then this evening I thought I'd test 30 mins after shake and it was a pleasing 5.3. Wondered if this is good and if this is just because it is only a shake. What would happen if it was a regular meal. Has anyone had experience of their bg after meals soon after eating a normal meal once they finished Newcastle. Also when did you make the decision to drop meds, what was the determining factor? Would be grateful if anyone would be happy to share their journey.

I have to say it was very hard at the beginning but even now I am literally drooling when I see anyone biting a sandwich, quite embarrassing lol. I started at 13.11 stone on 13th April and now 12.12 stone so going down slowly but I'm happy with it. Go on holiday a week after it finishes so kind of focusses me.

Thanks for listening, really hope that I lose this awful condition at the end of this gruelling 8 weeks

Well done so far; your glucose results look good. I do hope that you are one of those who manages to reverse their diabetes. Fingers crossed for you.

 

[sammyhatesdiabetes]

Well done so far; your glucose results look good. I do hope that you are one of those who manages to reverse their diabetes. Fingers crossed for you.

 

[sammyhatesdiabetes]

Thanks Arab horse for your well wishes. Just wondering when I should start looking to reduce meds. I have just tested after taking 2 metformin and having a shake. It is 4.8. Is this too low? I really don't know. Cannot see doctor so I'm in the dark using guesswork here.

 

[Arab Horse]

Thanks Arab horse for your well wishes. Just wondering when I should start looking to reduce meds. I have just tested after taking 2 metformin and having a shake. It is 4.8. Is this too low? I really don't know. Cannot see doctor so I'm in the dark using guesswork here.

How long after the shake did you test? Should be an hour and two hours to see if it is still going up. 4.8 is great, down to 4 fine; wish I could get there!

 

[sammyhatesdiabetes]

How long after the shake did you test? Should be an hour and two hours to see if it is still going up. 4.8 is great, down to 4 fine; wish I could get there!

 

[sammyhatesdiabetes]

I tested around 30 mins after the shaken and it was 4.8. Just tested again which is 2 hours after and it is 5.5. Still got 4 weeks to go so hopefully it is doing some magic. I'm just still skeptical as this is not real food and unsure whether it will just go back to being high after a normal meal

 

[The little white hen]

Hi everyone, new to this forum but been following some of you popular ones (feel as though I know you lol). Anyway think I'd like to join in as this is now my 4th week on the Newcastle diet and would love some support. I am type 2 and have been for around 6 years. Now feel time to take charge. I am on 2000mg metformin, 2 morning and 2 nightly. When I started I knew I would be high so did not want to test straight away. Anyway needless to say after 3 days in fasting bg was around 9.2. Cut a long story short. I am now seeing around 5.5 - 5.8 fasting and around 4.7 during day long after my shake. Then this evening I thought I'd test 30 mins after shake and it was a pleasing 5.3. Wondered if this is good and if this is just because it is only a shake. What would happen if it was a regular meal. Has anyone had experience of their bg after meals soon after eating a normal meal once they finished Newcastle. Also when did you make the decision to drop meds, what was the determining factor? Would be grateful if anyone would be happy to share their journey.

I have to say it was very hard at the beginning but even now I am literally drooling when I see anyone biting a sandwich, quite embarrassing lol. I started at 13.11 stone on 13th April and now 12.12 stone so going down slowly but I'm happy with it. Go on holiday a week after it finishes so kind of focusses me.

Thanks for listening, really hope that I lose this awful condition at the end of this gruelling 8 weeks

I finished the ND at the end of March 2015. I think its about loosing fat and inches at tis stage, your figures are good but its all about what they are like when you end the ND. Most people see a great improvement myself included. Keep at it and we will keep supporting you.

 

[The little white hen]

Thanks Arab horse for your well wishes. Just wondering when I should start looking to reduce meds. I have just tested after taking 2 metformin and having a shake. It is 4.8. Is this too low? I really don't know. Cannot see doctor so I'm in the dark using guesswork here.

Metformin protects you from having a hypo so I would not drop it until you finish the ND. That was the advice from my Doctor and I am now dropping medication one at a time with HbA1c tests before I drop the next. Slow and steady making sure its right is my advice this is not a quick fix.

 

[sammyhatesdiabetes]

Thanks little white hen. I am going to be changing my eating habits anyway to cut down on carbs and have a very occasional sweet treat. I was 4.6 this morning and 4.3 in the afternoon. How does metformin protect against hypo? If blood gets low I feel very faint and ill. Wondering if its because still on heavy meds. How have your bloods been since you finished in march little white hen? How did you adjust after shakes for meals. For another couple of months I intend to have 2 shakes and a normal low carb meal in evening.
Any advice and help is much appreciated

 

[Roytaylorjasonfunglover]

Thanks little white hen. I am going to be changing my eating habits anyway to cut down on carbs and have a very occasional sweet treat. I was 4.6 this morning and 4.3 in the afternoon. How does metformin protect against hypo? If blood gets low I feel very faint and ill. Wondering if its because still on heavy meds. How have your bloods been since you finished in march little white hen? How did you adjust after shakes for meals. For another couple of months I intend to have 2 shakes and a normal low carb meal in evening.
Any advice and help is much appreciated

You still on meds? Then you should discuss this with your doctor! Newcastle diet should be supervised when on drugs

 

[The little white hen]

Thanks little white hen. I am going to be changing my eating habits anyway to cut down on carbs and have a very occasional sweet treat. I was 4.6 this morning and 4.3 in the afternoon. How does metformin protect against hypo? If blood gets low I feel very faint and ill. Wondering if its because still on heavy meds. How have your bloods been since you finished in march little white hen? How did you adjust after shakes for meals. For another couple of months I intend to have 2 shakes and a normal low carb meal in evening.
Any advice and help is much appreciated

Don't know the technical stuff just passing on the info from my doctor. I too don't feel good if levels low but I have never passed out or felt like I was head into a hypo.

 

[The little white hen]

Thanks little white hen. I am going to be changing my eating habits anyway to cut down on carbs and have a very occasional sweet treat. I was 4.6 this morning and 4.3 in the afternoon. How does metformin protect against hypo? If blood gets low I feel very faint and ill. Wondering if its because still on heavy meds. How have your bloods been since you finished in march little white hen? How did you adjust after shakes for meals. For another couple of months I intend to have 2 shakes and a normal low carb meal in evening.
Any advice and help is much appreciated

I built up my food intake slowly when I came off ND as per advice from dietician. I dropped one shake and upped calories by 300 first few days, adding in only additional none starchy veg. Then I dropped a second shake and increased again, but included white protein and more veg. Finally, I dropped all shakes and had a few days on 1200 cals, then a week on 1500 cals, then up to 2000 cals a day. I still did not include red meat until I had been on full cals for over a week. I also had very low carb at this stage. Over time I have tried to include wholegrains and some like barley and rye dont raise my sugar. However, I have found bread even wholegrain sends it through the roof. I am still in the process of taking bloods after each new food and figuring out what I can have. If I stay low carb I have no issues at all and stay around 6.5 - 7 after food. I can have a small amount of wholegrain pasta without an issue but its all about amount. I have found low carb fairly easy to live with but was also advices by doctor to watch the types of fat I ate because we have heart disease in family. I eat clean now (no processed foods) and only wholegrain carbs if I have them. Feel great and maintaining weight loss. I do exercise now three times a week (never did it before). I have my next HbA1c begining of June and I will post results when I get them. Dropped on tablet and hoping these results mean I can reduce Metformin too. My doctor is a slow and steady monitor type and I have been happy with his methods up to now, so I will stick with it. The ND reduced the amount of bilirubin (Liver Bile) I produced, so I have had to add in things like green tea and artichoke to help it recover.

 

[helenjones]

well my doc has thrown the theory out of the window for ND, he's never heard of it and is not interested in knowing anything about it either. I am only following the forum and based on all the info I get I will start the diet and take it one week at a time and if I think I cant progress it then might stop but I Want to give it a shot.
I have checked optifast meal replacements and there nutrition info is quite close to shake that weight. Tesco and Asda's do there version too but I think there is more calories and more carbs in them

Also on http://www.ncl.ac.uk/magres/research/diabetes/documents/StudyRecipes.pdf

it says carrots are allowed.

Same for me - I am on my own!!

 

[helenjones]

Believe me, @The little white hen , and the others who are Newcastle Dieting, I am getting just as much support from all of you.
Until recently, I was only aware of @Andrew Colvin , @paulins and myself who had stayed the course and successfully achieved the goal of reversing T2. There has often been scepticism from others.

As far as I am aware, I am the only one in here who has been 3+ years with non-diabetic BG levels. It sounds unlikely, I know, as I was diagnosed 10 years ago, and it was 6 years after diagnosis that I followed Newcastle method. Also, I am still very overweight.
So, it is good to know that the small group of successful ND followers is about to double in number. It can only encourage others when they read of success.

For myself, your progress is encouraging me to consider having another stint on ND. Not, this time to control BG levels. They so far have remained fine. No matter what I eat. It is just that I am aware that if I do not lose more weight I am tempting diabetic levels to return.

Keep reporting. That goes for all of you. @Flashtash2014 , @Glitterbritches , @The little white hen, @AloeSvea , @brettsza . Also the old hands at this, @Andrew Colvin and @paulins. We are an elite group.

(Apologies if I missed anyone, please correct me if I have)

Hi Pipp, I am on week four but have been diabetic for ten years so prob no reversal for me, just hoping to lose the insulin

 

[The little white hen]

Same for me - I am on my own!!

I used slim fast under my dieticians advice and that has cards in it. So yes, they are in the shakes but not in the one meal you have a day of veg. Have you also been told you need 5ml of oil (olive etc) each day to stop gallstones) and at least 2.5 ltrs of fluid a day. I needed 3.4 - 4 to stop constipation. I drank herbal teas and hot water with lemon and ginger in it. All of these are allowed you don't need just water.