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Starting LCHF and some questions

PaulinaB

PaulinaB

Well-Known Member
Messages
594
Location
London, UK
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
Hi all!

So, me and my boyfriend decided to give LCHF a go. He's not diabetic but has some weight to lose, and I wanted to lose extra kg that I gained after diagnosis (before my insulin doses were set correctly).
We started on Saturday. I have to say I'm amazed so far. I feel great and lost 0.8kg so far. My boyfriend has way more to lose than me, and he has been peeing like crazy for the last 2 days. We understand that he's losing excess water so he drinks a lot to make sure he's not getting dehydrated. Lost 2.2kg so far! I know it's all water, but still :) He started feeling a bit tired and dizzy - I understand it's normal at the beginning, but should he think of eating a bit more?

My (apologies if silly) question: do we need to count calories? We started using myFitnessPal and logging all our food, etc and MFP is based on calorie-counting, so we kind of naturally started doing that. But, is there any point in doing that? It makes it easier to track our fat/protein intake, but if we stay within the lower-calorie goal set my MFP, will it help with the weight loss? Or is there no point in looking at calories at all?

As a diabetic I'm amazed by my BG in the last couple of days. I basically take up to 1u of insulin for the whole day (to make up for some tiny amounts of carbs in food), where before I was normally taking 30-40 units a day. My BG is FLAT and I even forget I'm diabetic sometimes, since I don't have to think about my BG anymore :D I started running around the house after dinner yesterday and at one point I stopped thinking "omg, I just ate, my BG is going to drop if I run to much". But ten I realised I didn't bolus, so my BG will stay were it is and I don't have to worry about it anymore.

This is awesome :)
 
I can't see the point in counting calories at all, certainly not if you loose weight anyway.

Your boyfriend could benefit from taking extra salt. Half a teaspoon in a small glass of water, to be repeated when he feels he needs it.

Great you are doing fine, long may it continue.
 
Once you have control of your blood glucose levels and the weight is dropping, reduce your plate size again and don't snack as much, but keep up the water and fat and salt. The extra energy, will help you do more, so instead of just doing extra housework, go for a walk after eating, and your glucose levels will respond likewise. Reduce your carbs even more if you can!
Well done to both of you as a start!
 
I just add more salt on my dinner .. Salt in water is sometimes used to induce vomiting.. I also don't count calories only carbs .. I have lost 5st this last year the wife has not lost an oz .. So when your weight is right the weight loss should stop .. As we eat the same diet .. But I am T2 .. Hope this helps
 
Great progress, both of you!

Regarding salt, I liberally sprinkle sea salt flakes on my food, but also occasionally drink a cup of broth - either home made, or from a stock cube (or even Bovril/Marmite). Really helps with the electrolytes!
 
When your BF pees out all that water, he's peeing out electrolytes with it, that's why you need extra salt. Just in case you are wondering!
 
Thanks everyone for responses! He stopped peeing so much now and seems to have stabilised :)

Any ideas on what level of ketosis I should expect? I don't go above 1.5mmol/l (one +) on Ketostix - it is usually higher for most people?
 
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