Success then bingeing!

Julia said:

Hi,
I have posted before after trying low carb a few times. I seem fine for a week or so but then I go mad and have a carb binge. My insulin sensitivity is much worse than it was now and I cannot tolerate any carbs at all. I have put on a stone during this time and have never taken so much insulin. I feel really depressed as I am convinced that low carb is the best possible option for me but during hormonal changes in the month I just cannot control myself! I was contemplating trying hypnptherapy - anyone tried that?

Any help much appreciated,

Julia

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hi julia,
i have tried to do many low carb diets over the last few years.i never stuck to them after a week or too i would binge on sugary stuff.
about 4 months ago i was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.i was angrey about it & i just didn't belive it could happen to me.it does run in my family though both my nan & mom have it so does my uncle.i just went against all the advice i was given & had alot of chocolate,cakes stuff like that.i got to a apoint when i really had to think about what i was doing.i had to pull myself together big time.i was nearly 19 stone in weight.i hade put on about 5 stone in the last few years.i as feeling very depressed about my weight.i was sick off feeling ill all the time.

i started a low carb diet about 2 1/2 weeks ago & i haven't binged once.in the past i would eat good during the week & binge on the weekends.no one had more sugar then me but i haven't craved it once.i am sticking to my diet during the week & at the weekends.i am haveing about 60g carbs a day.befor i used to only have about 20g carbs but it was way to low for me.at 60g a day i found that i can stick to it.my cravings are all under controle.my bllod sugar has gone from 8.5 down to 6.8 in just 17 days.i have only lost about 6 lbs though.i thought i might have lost alot more but i am pleased the way i am going.


try & get this book it was a great help to me "The Diabetes Revolution: A Groundbreaking Guide to Reducing Your Insulin Dependency (Paperback)
by Charles Clark (Author), Maureen Clark (Author) "

i hope all goes well for you.

Julia
have you tried "planned treats" Plan them for a week ahead and have them ready. For example, A square of Lidl's dark chocolate contains very few carbs. Or having cream in your coffee instead of milk, or really nice bit of cheese. Whatever it is you love. then set a short term target. For instance.
"I will be VERY good for 2 days and then I'll have a square of chocolate."
I've been reduced carbing for ages and I do slip up sometimes, but I've trained myself to have"Just the tiniest bit" I had a walnut sized bit of birthday cake last week, when one of my class brought it in.
I also have a pack of those mini Peperamis in my fridge. they satisfy the munchies well.
Try it
Hana

I KNOW all there is to know about binging!! And still I have succeeded on a carb managed diet. I have planned treats each day at the beginning. E.g. the first few weeks, I had two squares of Lindt 85% Cocoa chocolate in the afternoon with a cup of coffee. Satisfied my sweet tooth and help me steer clear for the rest of the day. Sometimes I would have just one square in the afternoon and then one in the evening. Whichever works.

Are you starting with a too low carb?? I found that going to 30 carb/day didn't work for me in the beginning so started around the 80/day and lowered over a couple of weeks.

All this said, it DOES take a bit of work and resistance to get out of the carb dependancy (as I see it now), but a little adjustment to your diet short term, can help you succeed long term.


Best
Alice

Hi Julia

The hormonal urges to eat carb food is a normal part of the menstrual cycle so please don’t feel guilty over that.

The challenge as we all know is how to control those cravings in order to sustain good BG (blood glucose) levels.

:idea: Have you considered trying a supplement such as Chromium – one of the reasons many females crave sweat things premenstrual is due to a need for chromium – dietitians often advise on eating a banana unfortunately a banana may be the worse thing for a diabetic to eat.
Some diabetics use chromium and report it also helps with BG levels – I have been taking a chromium supplement for nearly 25 years and I can honestly say I have never experienced premenstrual cravings for sweet things. I get the odd craving for savoury food premenstrual including eggs, almonds & chicken but never carb or sweet foods – am I abnormal?!!

:idea: Other supplements that might help include a vitamin B complex & vitamin E.

:idea: I totally support the planned teat scheme because then you are not denying yourself – the brain is a wicked organ in some respects cos it will tempt you with foods you know you’d be better off not eating.

:idea: Hanas idea re the cheese for example – fabulous & there are so many cheeses available so it doesn’t have to be a “boring” cheese as long as it tastes fab.

:idea: Have you also tried having a pot of coconut oil in the fridge and sniffing it when you get a carb or sweat craving?
May sound daft but it certainly helped my neighbour when she visits my abode and is craving sweat things!!

:idea: Do you have something else you can do if get a carb/sweat craving occurs i.e an activity or something to do like getting on the forum and having a rant?!! Diversion therapy can often be very helpful.

Take small steps and please try not to beat yourself up when you have a relapse because that only causes a stress response which then increases BG levels.

Keep posting - there's lots of support here.

best wishes

Txx