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Weight gain on low carb diet and exercise

EMK1

Member
Messages
7
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
Hi, I am a Type 1 since 2000 and I am probably 1.5/2 stone overweight. I have tried the low carb diet and now exercising 4 times per week (eg 1500m swim, 6 miles walking and 10 miles bike) When I did the low carb diet alone I gained 5 pounds and now I have started training I seem to be gaining weight again and it doesnt appear that I am changing shape either. Does anyone have any ideas as to why this would be happening? I have also noticed that my sugar levels are swinging from low to high and I have had more hypos than usual. Very frustrated as I want to do the right thing but doesnt seem to work for me.
 
Hi. Can you let us have some idea of typical meals you have and the max carbs you have each day. Are you on any steroids or simialr meds? High suagr swings when on insulin can be partly caused by some insulin resistance due to excess weight. What insulin regime are you on and does it need re-balancing?
 
I have been eating protein is chicken and fish with salad , I rarely eat potatoes and very little bread and no pasta. Low fat yogurts but will have riceI eat banana and pears and grapes and drink green tea with the odd coffeeI have no more than 1800-2000 carbs a day, I am only on levemir and novo rapid only I take insulin 4 times a day x so frustrated as not eating rubbish
 
Hi and thanks. AS you may know, bananas and too many fruits are best avoided. Rice is also not ideal but when on insulin having some of these is OK. Watch out for any added sugar in low-fat yogurt. I don't understand your 1800-2000 carbs a day; these figures must be wrong as many of us would have 200gm/day max and often much less. I assume you are carb-counting with the NovoRapid?
 
I agree with @Daibell, I don't understand your 1800-2000 carbs a day, this is an enormous amount. Do you mean calories rather than carbs?
 
Yes I do carb count I meant calories a day sorry ! I have under 200 a day
 
Hi. Thanks for the info. I can only suggest you move the carbs further down for a while to get the excess weight off and then try to achieve a balance from then on; it's easier with no insulin resistance thru excess weight?
 
Thanks for your comments I'll try a lower carb diet again just hope I don't put on another 5 pounds with it as last time
 
Hi @EMK1, last year I embarked on a get fit plan. I did it with a gym. My food intake was strict and I measured everything. My macro split was 45% protein, 45% fat , 10% carbs.
I also did weight training 3x per week. This is important because it grows muscles that then consume energy ( in the form of fats) due to low carb intake.
The result was I lost 2 stone in three months and halved body fat from 25 to 13%.

All the work that you are doing at the moment is cardiac, which, while it will help with weight loss isn't going to have any effect on the muscles.

I'd recommend looking at a weight training programme, and being incredibly fierce about what you eat. It is 90% diet that will get you there.
 
Could it be that you are turning fat to muscle. A lot of people when they start or increase exercise and watch their diet, often gain weight but reduce or tone the body. Both carbs and cals seem high. Maybe time to review your diet. Can your diabetic nurse help?
 

Thanks for that - What type of weight training did you do? Swimming is all I really know as that is what I used to be before I was a diabetic. I will give this a go too .
 
Started off with a whole body programme that included complex movements, ie deadlifts, split squats, then progressed into specifics doing strength for two weeks then volume for two weeks in a cycle. Seems to work well.
 
Hi, these forums are great and provide some superb advice, not a disimilar story to yours EMK1, for the first 6 months after diagnosis. I then tried all sorts of fashionable or NHS advice without any self study, I am ashamed to say.
These forums have been the most impactful source of information and the Low Carb approach really helped me when I did it properly.
I have now got my head around testing myself to establish which foods right for me, this was only as a result of the great, positive experiences other members have had.
So stick with it!
For me I am 2 stone down 1 to go, which is sticking like glue! Medication halved!
 
Thanks for that I must say I have had some really useful advice and it's so great that people respond - just got to stick with it
 
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