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'Newcastle diet' advice

Pipp said:
Miramy

I am not sure I can advise, but here goes:

I lost the weight following Newcastle diet two and a half years ago. I have stayed more or less within a range of maximum 7kg of finishing weight. Blood sugars have been stable. I eat low carb, and when I am well enough exercise in water for about an hour 3 or 4 times a week. I have had difficulty keeping to this due to needing two major operations. I also still have a lot of weight to lose, probably at least another 20 kg. As my diabetes has not returned I am somewhat lacking in motivation right now. I could use my slow recovery from last operation as a reason, but that would be milking it as it was in January!

Think we each need to find a method that works for us as we are individuals with different needs and lifestyles, but opinions and advice from this forum do help.

Best wishes

Pipp
Click to expand...
Thanks Pipp
What a fantastic achievement. I applaud you.
Hugs m

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miriamy said:
I'm interested to hear more about the Newcastle diet. I mentioned it to my do and she got very gruff and serious and said to keep away from it. You need expert medical support which they don't have in Gloucestershire. Are you medically supported? Where can I find out more?
(I'm asking the questions but doubt that I have your resolve!)
Cheers

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Click to expand...
Hi Miriam
I had the same result ish from my doc, more disinterested than warned me off. We cannot provide expert advice regarding your specific medical circumstances, only our experiences for you to compare to. I am type 2 was 16 4 at diagnosis and lost some weight in the beginning. I started the Newcastle at 15 7 now 14 0 (one day last week 13 13!)
I also doubted my resolve for about a year, never got started. When you make that real decision 'I will' you will find the resolve. i also found this forum a big inspiration, lots of people in the same boat, same fears same issues, it really helps to take a visit. I just took a deliberate weekend off. Golf tour with mates, beer and food (including a much missed english brekky with black pud!) but now back on it with even more resolve having read the recent entries. The first 3 days are the hardest (at least for me) but you see results fast and that is the best motivator of all. I expected to lose a stone over 6 weeks, at 5 weeks 1.5 stones! My target was 14 st never thought I would be that weight again, now I want 13st and believe I can achieve it . it will take longer than I expected but I will do it. I don't know if others agree but I did the 1st 4 weeks rigid to the program, and now I can tolerate the regime easily if I know I can take a day off if I choose.
Just choose your meal package, order or buy it (that investment is a motivator not to waste it!) and go for it, no excuse days in the first weeks. Just do it just do it, I can't tell you how good it feels, life changing! join the club, we are with you... keep us informed and drop a post when you need some support.

I think we should form a club, the 'Newcastlers', get T shirts, slogan 'I'm Doin' it' and on the back 'Are you?' or for the success stories 'Newcastler'
'I did it!' on the back 'Will You?' a bit like the 'Old Guys Rule' brand but more exclusive! Am I getting a bit carried away here?..

Kim
 
kimyeomans said:
Hi Miriam
I had the same result ish from my doc, more disinterested than warned me off. We cannot provide expert advice regarding your specific medical circumstances, only our experiences for you to compare to. I am type 2 was 16 4 at diagnosis and lost some weight in the beginning. I started the Newcastle at 15 7 now 14 0 (one day last week 13 13!)
I also doubted my resolve for about a year, never got started. When you make that real decision 'I will' you will find the resolve. i also found this forum a big inspiration, lots of people in the same boat, same fears same issues, it really helps to take a visit. I just took a deliberate weekend off. Golf tour with mates, beer and food (including a much missed english brekky with black pud!) but now back on it with even more resolve having read the recent entries. The first 3 days are the hardest (at least for me) but you see results fast and that is the best motivator of all. I expected to lose a stone over 6 weeks, at 5 weeks 1.5 stones! My target was 14 st never thought I would be that weight again, now I want 13st and believe I can achieve it . it will take longer than I expected but I will do it. I don't know if others agree but I did the 1st 4 weeks rigid to the program, and now I can tolerate the regime easily if I know I can take a day off if I choose.
Just choose your meal package, order or buy it (that investment is a motivator not to waste it!) and go for it, no excuse days in the first weeks. Just do it just do it, I can't tell you how good it feels, life changing! join the club, we are with you... keep us informed and drop a post when you need some support.

I think we should form a club, the 'Newcastlers', get T shirts, slogan 'I'm Doin' it' and on the back 'Are you?' or for the success stories 'Newcastler'
'I did it!' on the back 'Will You?' a bit like the 'Old Guys Rule' brand but more exclusive! Am I getting a bit carried away here?..

Kim
Click to expand...

Haha Kim

We could start an alternative Toon army!
 
miriamy said:
Thanks Pipp
What a fantastic achievement. I applaud you.
Hugs m

Sent from the Diabetes Forum App
Click to expand...

Thank you, but hold the applause.

I need help to be motivated once more. Any help from forum gratefully received. Although I lost all that weight, and more importantly, got diabetes into reverse, that was over two years ago. My current situation is that I have been immobile for several months due to having major surgery. I have regained some of the weight, and fear I am on a slippery slope back to diabetes, and all that weight I lost. I am not sure if I am being too hard on myself, because I do feel very tired and weak, recovery from surgery is difficult. Or am I just procrastinating? I am trying to keep to my sensible eating that kept my weight stable after completing Newcastle, but even though I had the good result of diabetes reversal, and massive weight loss, I am still in the obese category.

I am due to have another review with nurse, which I keep putting off. If my HbA1c is still below 38 she will be removing me from the diabetic register. I am terrified that I have done some damage to that goal by my inactivity, and casual attitude to eating. I feel very lethargic, with the sort of brain fog I used to get when my blood glucose was not controlled. I no longer have a BG monitor as I haven't needed to test for two years. So I don't know if this is due to BG levels or just slow recovery from surgery as I am getting old, and it was a huge incision and long anaesthetic. I also have other health conditions, including allergies. Thinking of doing Newcastle again. Have had a couple of false starts, but it seems such a chore at the moment.

Anyone had a similar experience? Any advice on how to solve it?
 
miriamy said:
I'm interested to hear more about the Newcastle diet. I mentioned it to my do and she got very gruff and serious and said to keep away from it. You need expert medical support which they don't have in Gloucestershire. Are you medically supported? Where can I find out more?
(I'm asking the questions but doubt that I have your resolve!)
Cheers
Click to expand...
I wonder what she means by saying that the diet needs medical support? For adjusting medication? That's not rocket science, any GP could do that, armed with just your blood sugar results and maybe some extra tests. Surely?

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Spiker said:
I wonder what she means by saying that the diet needs medical support? For adjusting medication? That's not rocket science, any GP could do that, armed with just your blood sugar results and maybe some extra tests. Surely?

Sent from the Diabetes Forum App
Click to expand...
Thanks Spiker

I had missed the bit about the GP saying medical support was needed. Err... What is the GP for if not medical support? Sounds like the GP was not interested in veering from the NHS script for diabetic management. Or perhaps too busy? I would be looking for a new GP in that case.

Pipp
 
I have done it since January and have gone from 17st 7lbs to 13st 13lbs as of this morning. This morning my fasting level was 4.2, and is often in the 4s now. My doctor is very supportive. I get more frequent HbC1A tests done, and they check blood pressure medication regularly, and other drugs I am on for another condition, to ensure that the changes in weight, blood sugars are not affecting the medication. I have a home blood pressure monitor and do measurements myself throughout the day as my BP goes up as soon as I step in the surgery. He knows this, hence the monitor. He prescribes 100 testing strips per month. I always list my questions on a bit paper and ask them. If you are not getting similar encouragement and support ask to see another doctor. Mine actually TOLD me about the Newcastle research as he knew I would go straight off and look it up and do it. We are encouraged to take control, and we can, but we need help along the way. I feel so much better, do 30 minutes each day on the treadmill (fast walking/gentle running), have much more energy, can breath more easily with exercise, and fit into much smaller clothes! And my blood sugars are all in the normal range and have been for weeks. Its a 'no brainer' as far as I am concerned. It can only be good for me overall to be nearly 4 stones lighter. And I am determined and motivated. I want to reverse - or at least put the diabetes into remission - and I want to be back to 10 stones.
Pipp - so hard after your surgery. But you know you can do it as you have already achieved so much.
 
paulins said:
I have done it since January and have gone from 17st 7lbs to 13st 13lbs as of this morning. This morning my fasting level was 4.2, and is often in the 4s now. My doctor is very supportive. I get more frequent HbC1A tests done, and they check blood pressure medication regularly, and other drugs I am on for another condition, to ensure that the changes in weight, blood sugars are not affecting the medication. I have a home blood pressure monitor and do measurements myself throughout the day as my BP goes up as soon as I step in the surgery. He knows this, hence the monitor. He prescribes 100 testing strips per month. I always list my questions on a bit paper and ask them. If you are not getting similar encouragement and support ask to see another doctor. Mine actually TOLD me about the Newcastle research as he knew I would go straight off and look it up and do it. We are encouraged to take control, and we can, but we need help along the way. I feel so much better, do 30 minutes each day on the treadmill (fast walking/gentle running), have much more energy, can breath more easily with exercise, and fit into much smaller clothes! And my blood sugars are all in the normal range and have been for weeks. Its a 'no brainer' as far as I am concerned. It can only be good for me overall to be nearly 4 stones lighter. And I am determined and motivated. I want to reverse - or at least put the diabetes into remission - and I want to be back to 10 stones.
Pipp - so hard after your surgery. But you know you can do it as you have already achieved so much.
Click to expand...


Thanks Paulins

Maybe I should start to follow some of you more successful members on here, as long as that doesn't make me a stalker! I need your enthusiasm to inspire me, but don't want my current (I hope)negativity to affect others.

Pipp
 
Pipp said:
Thanks Paulins

Maybe I should start to follow some of you more successful members on here, as long as that doesn't make me a stalker! I need your enthusiasm to inspire me, but don't want my current (I hope)negativity to affect others.

Pipp
Click to expand...



Exactly what I did! I saw what Andrew Colvin had written and tried to do the same! He started at a very similar weight as me and is about half a stone ahead of me. He shared how he kept a record of his levels, weight etc. and he could see progress which kept him - and now me - motivated. You have had serious survey so it is no surprise that you are feeling low and lacking in motivation and energy. But it will get better. One day at a time. Good luck.
 
paulins said:
Exactly what I did! I saw what Andrew Colvin had written and tried to do the same! He started at a very similar weight as me and is about half a stone ahead of me. He shared how he kept a record of his levels, weight etc. and he could see progress which kept him - and now me - motivated. You have had serious survey so it is no surprise that you are feeling low and lacking in motivation and energy. But it will get better. One day at a time. Good luck.
Click to expand...

Thank you

Hope you on't mind, but I will start stalking.

Pipp
 
Great! Let's do it together. Surgery not survey. Not a great typist!


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Day 3 of Newcastle diet

Going ok, but I did not sleep much last night. About 2 hours total. This is unusual for me. I felt very cold, even though I was wrapped in P.j.s, fleecy dressing gown, blanket and duvet, heating on, with spouse sleeping snuggly beside me. Still feel cold today.

I don't remember feeling like this on Newcastle last time. Could it be low blood glucose? I don't have BG monitor any more.

I am off to have some veggie soup, but would welcome any other advice from others who are doing Newcastle. Maybe have a snooze in sleeping bag with wooly hat on after.

Thanks

Pipp
 
Feeling cold in bed right to the bone yes I remember that at the start of my weight loss. No matter what you do it doesn't improve - well some exercise helped just before bed.
 
Hi Pipp
I didn't get the cold thing when I started although I remember reading that many do. I have been thinking about the comment you made wanting motivation a few posts back. I tried to think of something to help, then my one of my sons reminded me of something he showed me on Youtube a while ago. It still chokes me up when I watch it and motivates me enormously. Its a bit cheesy but the underlying message is undeniable. Hope it helps.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=qX9FSZJu448
Kim
 
Andrew Colvin said:
Feeling cold in bed right to the bone yes I remember that at the start of my weight loss. No matter what you do it doesn't improve - well some exercise helped just before bed.
Click to expand...

Thank you Andrew
That is exactly it. Cold right to the bone, or even feeling as if my blood is ice cold. Cold all day too. I hope it won't last. Very unusual for me, being well insulated with all the body fat I tend to be too warm. It is not stopping me feeling motivated to continue. I have bought a heck of a lot of Ultraslim, and the money I have saved on food is going in my new clothes fund!

I spent day in kitchen, with oven on cooking for others to keep me warm. The veg soup with extra chilli improved things for a while. I will try to move about a bit more too, difficult though.

Did the cold sensation continue for you for long or does it stop after a few days?

Thank you for support.

Pipp
 
kimyeomans said:
Hi Pipp
I didn't get the cold thing when I started although I remember reading that many do. I have been thinking about the comment you made wanting motivation a few posts back. I tried to think of something to help, then my one of my sons reminded me of something he showed me on Youtube a while ago. It still chokes me up when I watch it and motivates me enormously. Its a bit cheesy but the underlying message is undeniable. Hope it helps.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=qX9FSZJu448
Kim
Click to expand...
Thanks Kim.
 
Me too. I was really cold for the best part of a week. I had a nice bath before bed and that helped a lot. But feeling so cold all the time went quite quickly and I'm fine now. I think our bodies just need to adapt.
 
The only thing I still have is cold hand and feet but that happens as my blood sugar levels drop from about 5.5 down. The lower it goes the further up my hands/arms the cold goes. At times the ends of my fingers and toes go so cold they start to burn. I am normally around 4.4 at this point. I think this is just me though as no one else seems to have this as I have asked before
 
Thank you all for your helpful replies.

I am wondering if BG is too low. No way of measuring it myself. Still on one Metformin a day, so perhaps that is not helping, as according to my 3monthly HbA1c tests I have consistently had average readings 36 to 38 for more than two years. Next test due soon, but will see if I can get BG measured at pharmacy.

Right now I have feet like ice,and weird feeling of cold teeth.

Tempted to try a hot toddy before bed, but will give that a miss.

Pipp
 
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