Slimming world

[Natasha1973]

Hi there,
In 2020, in about 8 months, I put on 5st very rapidly. This is half my usual body weight. I hadn’t changed my food, or eating patterns, or the exercise I done. Due to covid there were of course no F2F appointments so my calls to the GP were met with lifestyle change suggestion.
I’d usually been 8-9stone and went up to 15, where it appeared to stop. To be honest I was quite scared to eat anything at that stage.
In April 2022 I got diagnosed with T2 diabetes. This was attributed to my weight and BMI. More lifestyle changes recommended, despite me telling anyone who’d listen that my lifestyle hadn’t changed.
My first F2F appointment after covid my GP took one look and put me on a 2wk cancer referral pathway.
In summer last year I was in hospital with pancreatitis for 3wks. I didn’t eat for 2wks and was on fentanyl, pretty out of it, and removed a nasal feeding tube they inserted twice.
I lost 2st then but have remained at 13.5st, unable to shift anymore of it. I guess unless I starve myself again ‍
I eat healthier these days than ever in my life due to the diabetes education.
I’ve seen a gynaecologist, had an MRI scan of that area. Had cortisol levels checked in case of Cushings. Thyroid checked.
Now the GP has referred me to the local Healthy Lifestyle people who basically give you a voucher for Slimming World, and a link to the NHS healthy eating page.
My weight is all round my stomach, and in my face. My legs, arms & backside remain unchanged. So size 8-10 legs and size 16-18 waist.
I’m feeling beyond desperate these days. It’s like if there’s a weight issue it’s down to you to “prove” you aren’t lying and overeating etc.
So I’m now facing 12wks of slimming world. Has anyone any tips ? I notice they push eating pasta, potatoes and all the stuff I don’t eat these days.

Sorry for the long winded story……any help would be greatly appreciated

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[EllieM]

Hi @Natasha1973 and welcome to the forums. Given your issues, have you been referred to an endocrinologist? (Am guessing the insulin was recommended by them?)

As a reasonably traditional childhood diagnosed T1 I am probably the wrong person to advise, but I just want to give you some virtual hugs and tell you that you are not alone.

And I guess I better ask, what's your definition of a healthy diet? Definitions can vary...

 

[Natasha1973]

Thanks Ellie ….
I saw an endocrinologist as my cortisol levels were high in hospital. But returned to normal after so it seems. Once that was established he really had no interest in offering any further help & discharged me back to my GP, recommending Ozempic and weight management. My DN said no to ozempic abc I agree, I don’t feel an appetite suppressant is what I need.
If I have to have breakfast it’s usually some blueberries, or maybe a poached egg. Lunch and dinners is usually salmon, chicken, lean steak etc with vegetables. I rarely eat pasta , potatoes or bread these days. I’ve never had a sweet tooth either. I use the Carbs & Cals app to count my carbs & work out my insulin. I try & have as little insulin with each meal as poss. I use 40 units of Abasaglar each morning.
I guess I don’t believe this is a problem created by my eating. It’s just frustrating trying to get that across to professionals etc.
thank you for u your reply & your kind hugs
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[HSSS]

You were diagnosed only a year ago as type 2 and are on insulin already? How did that come about and why as it’s not typical. What sort of levels was your diabetes at at diagnosis and now? It’s sounding to me like you might need to go back to a different endocrinologist. Maybe taking someone with you, almost as evidence it’s not your eating at issue. Perhaps asking what “would you do if you believed me it’s not the food?” And asking them to do that….

 

[AloeSvea]

Hi @Natasha1973. So you were diagnosed with T2, and then you got acute pancreatitis? Or, the other way round? And yes - your blood glucose problems/diabetes does seem to be a complex case! I hope the specialists continue to take your case on board, and truly get to the bottom of what is happening in your body.

I popped on to 'slimming world' online and had great fun doing their data collection quiz around food, for a "perfect body" and a "perfect me" - yikes! But I liked the food quiz. They told me that everything other than their fare was a fad diet, and could not be sustained and was only temporary. Oh dear! And, their food /typical fare looked very much like low carb and low healthy fat - my understanding of a truly unsustainable way of eating (due to the fact we burn carbs, or fat for fuel - with low levels of each one - where is the energy coming from???!!!) For me, it was lots of pix of lean meat and a bit of salad. I was pleased for the protein at least, but I could not be physically active, or even keep warm on that low fat way of eaitng. And the endos and your medical centre suggested this way of eating? I guess, if you do have fat stored on your body, your body will use your stored fat to fuel it, but that could be dangerous if you think there is something going on with the weight gain, other than fat storage? Yes - those specialists need to help with this for sure.

I looked up pancreatitis and weight gain and loss, and confusingly there is two pieces of info going on with that - one that is usually causes weight loss, but, that obesity can cause sudden onset acute pancreatitits. (A Mayo clinic led study.) Yes - a complex case yours.