• Guest - w'd love to know what you think about the forum! Take the 2025 Survey »

Weight loss v BG reduction on LCHF

bulkbiker said:
Dawn Phenomenon when your blood sugar goes up in the morning due to the liver dumping glucose to wake you up.
Click to expand...
Thanks I'm learning as much as I can and have a blog coming soon... I've actually reversed my T2D now but wish to remain learned and conscious of the fact it may come back of I do not remain aware.
 
ickihun said:
No one on here gets steady 4s and 5s unless fasting or on insulin injections. Otherwise it's one offs. No consistency.
They get 6s and 7s without fasting or insulin assistance.
Ask any fbg posters.
Click to expand...

Sorry Ickihun - That's simply not true.

My fasting range, without meds, ever, and with no longer fasting than overnight is 3.5-4.5. I can't think when I last saw a 4 on fasting, and I rarely see 5s post-prandially. My fasting range has been where it is for about 3 years.

I stopped posting my fasting numbers probably a couple of years ago now, when I had feedback from other posters that my numbers put pressure on newbies to replicate my small numbers.

I don't routinely test my fasting level these days unless I am expecting anything unusual, or I'm wearing a Libre.

Your personal experriences don't represent everyone any more than mine do.
 
It isn't the screams and the sploashing and the stampeding of children that puts me off swimming in our local pool.
It is the widdling in the water.
Yes, I am one of those women who huff and draw in their skirts when I see children ruining the lovely lure of a clear lane and a calm surface. I was on the school swimming team, and I LOVE the water. But not when it is over chemicalled to deal with sweat and urine.

Re reporting fasting blood glucose on the various threads here on the forum - I don't do it because I think it is confusing and misrepresentative, especially to newbies.
- not eveyone can make changes that affect their morning numbers
- the people with low readings stop posting because they are are 'guilted out' (see @DCUKMod's post above)
- the people with high readings stop posting because they are 'embarassed out' (which is never a good thing)
- fasting readings don't necessarily reflect overall control

My own numbers are usually in the low 6s on waking, and will rise until I eat something (usually a coffee substitute and cream). The major factor in the height of the rise is stress levels.
Food adjustment, exercise, late night snacks, etc. etc. have NIL impact.
 
PenguinMum said:
I need the advice of the kind and experienced people on the forum. I have been following LCHF for almost 5 months now keeping to circa 50g carbs per day. My HBA1c last time was very satisfactory but I want to maintain it. My weight has litterally fallen off. I dont have a scales at home but I have gone from size 16 to size 12 and I have lost somewhere between 1-2 stone. However, my BG levels are still in the 6s and 7s with an odd 5 in the afternoon. This last week they have been more 7s and 8s possibly due to pain of arthritis and subsequent painkillers.
I dont really want to lose any more weight but I do want to get my BG levels lower and I dont know how to fix that. I have a trusted bank of safe meals that I stick to because I rarely eat out of home.
I know many wont understand this but the BG reduction was always the driving force rather than weight loss. Thank you in advance.
Click to expand...
Reduce the number of times you take anything except water to two. That includes all solids and liquids. Call these as lunch and dinner. Make sure these eating windows do not extend beyond 45-50 minutes. Take cardio exercise. It it is walking, make sure you walk 4.5 km in 45-50 minutes. I lost about 10 kg in 3 months this way.
 
DCUKMod said:
Sorry Ickihun - That's simply not true.

My fasting range, without meds, ever, and with no longer fasting than overnight is 3.5-4.5. I can't think when I last saw a 4 on fasting, and I rarely see 5s post-prandially. My fasting range has been where it is for about 3 years.

I stopped posting my fasting numbers probably a couple of years ago now, when I had feedback from other posters that my numbers put pressure on newbies to replicate my small numbers.

I don't routinely test my fasting level these days unless I am expecting anything unusual, or I'm wearing a Libre.

Your personal experriences don't represent everyone any more than mine do.
Click to expand...
I was using my visual experience on fbg posters.
Many don't even post anymore as..... a few I still communicate with aren't in range anymore so don't want to post. They have taken the low carb message and they roll with it. As best they can. Considering THEIR circcumstances. Not mine.

You are an exception. But you already know that!!! Ha ha ;)
 
ickihun said:
I was using my visual experience on fbg posters.
Many don't even post anymore as..... a few I still communicate with aren't in range anymore so don't want to post. They have taken the low carb message and they roll with it. As best they can. Considering THEIR circcumstances. Not mine.

You are an exception. But you already know that!!! Ha ha ;)
Click to expand...

To be honest, maybe quite a few don't bother posting for the same reasons as me - they are in range and not much seems to change (touching wood as I say that, as nothing is certain).

As we know, we have many, many members who arrive newly diagnosed, or in some form of crisis (numbers risen, other health issues, complications or whatever), then will fade into the background, or even to elsewhere when their position improves or they decide to do something different.

Perhaps all that's different about me is I have stuck around, doggedly, and in my case, gone on to fulfill a different function in the community.

I don't think this community is at all representative of the big wide world out there. I thikn we are, generally speaking, a far more motivated population that most, and very much a far better educated group than most out there. I take those conclusions from what I see here, another community I participate in, although much less so than here, my participation in my local DUK group and the time I spend in the NIHR.

We're just so lucky to have this place, the people in it, and what it offers to anyone who wants to join in.
 
DCUKMod said:
Sorry Ickihun - That's simply not true.

My fasting range, without meds, ever, and with no longer fasting than overnight is 3.5-4.5. I can't think when I last saw a 4 on fasting, and I rarely see 5s post-prandially. My fasting range has been where it is for about 3 years.

I stopped posting my fasting numbers probably a couple of years ago now, when I had feedback from other posters that my numbers put pressure on newbies to replicate my small numbers.

I don't routinely test my fasting level these days unless I am expecting anything unusual, or I'm wearing a Libre.

Your personal experriences don't represent everyone any more than mine do.
Click to expand...
What makes you think you are still diabetic?
 
Mr_Pot said:
What makes you think you are still diabetic?
Click to expand...

I have been removed frorm the diabetes register. My full HbA1c history is this:

HbA1c:
October 13: 73 or 8.8% (How did that happen?)
February 14: 37 or 5.5%
May 14: 34 or 5.3%
August 14: 32 or 5.1%
November 14: 33 or 5.1%
May 15: 31 or 5.0%
October 15: 33 or 5.1%
September 16: 31 or 5.0%
November 17: 33 or 5.1%
March 18: A "bonus", unexpected test due to other bloods - 30 or 4.9%. I joined the 4s club! I hadn't expected a reduction, having got used to toggling 33<>31<>33<>31 for the last 3 years, literally.

My profile states I reversed my diabetes as that's the closest it comes to my thinking. I'm not a fan of labels to be honest, but I do accept that having crossed the diabetes rubicon once, I know the way there and should be mindful of that.

In considering myself diabetes-free, I look at that in the same way as I might look at other conditions. Right now I considerr myself free of the Big C (thankfully I have never been diagnosed), but I have no idea what the future holds and if that belief will have to change one day.

Society and systems make some labels inevitable.

As things stand now, I will not countenance any discussion of "that'll be because of your diabetes". It was as a result of such a challenged discussion that my GP removed me from the register.

Am I a diabetic person? I don't particularly consider myself so, but then I don't consider myself to be a horrid or cruel person either, but out there, in this life, there are probably those who believe differently.

Bit of a ramble, but that's my thinking.

Oh, and I think this place is hugely needed for those in maintenace phases of whichever phase of their condition they are in - whether blood glucose, weight or just juggling life alongside co-morbidities which include or have included diabetes along the way.
 
Last edited:
DCUKMod said:
Sorry Ickihun - That's simply not true.

My fasting range, without meds, ever, and with no longer fasting than overnight is 3.5-4.5. I can't think when I last saw a 4 on fasting, and I rarely see 5s post-prandially. My fasting range has been where it is for about 3 years.

I stopped posting my fasting numbers probably a couple of years ago now, when I had feedback from other posters that my numbers put pressure on newbies to replicate my small numbers.

I don't routinely test my fasting level these days unless I am expecting anything unusual, or I'm wearing a Libre.

Your personal experriences don't represent everyone any more than mine do.
Click to expand...
@DCUKMod I agree. I can't match your lovely low numbers, but I get quite upset if I see a 6 at any time and I can't remember when I last saw a 7. I never fast, unless you count overnight, as I want to gain rather than lose weight, and also fasting tends to make my bg rise, not fall. I wouldn't mind trying some basal insulin, but no way would my GP prescribe it for me. I'm lucky to be on Glucophage.
 
DCUKMod said:
We're just so lucky to have this place, the people in it, and what it offers to anyone who wants to join in.
Click to expand...
Yes, when I think that I could easily have had to face up to all the acute and chronic upset involved in too-high bg alone, I go all cold and shivery!!!
 
DCUKMod said:
I haave been removed frorm the diabetes register. My full HbA1c history is this:

HbA1c:
October 13: 73 or 8.8% (How did that happen?)
February 14: 37 or 5.5%
May 14: 34 or 5.3%
August 14: 32 or 5.1%
November 14: 33 or 5.1%
May 15: 31 or 5.0%
October 15: 33 or 5.1%
September 16: 31 or 5.0%
November 17: 33 or 5.1%
March 18: A "bonus", unexpected test due to other bloods - 30 or 4.9%. I joined the 4s club! I hadn't expected a reduction, having got used to toggling 33<>31<>33<>31 for the last 3 years, literally.

My profile states I reversed my diabetes as that's the closest it comes to my thinking. I'm not a fan of labels to be honest, but I do accept that having crossed the diabetes rubicon once, I know the way there and should be mindful of that.

In considering myself diabetes-free, I look at that in the same way as I might look at other conditions. Right now I considerr myself free of the Big C (thankfully I have never been diagnosed), but I have no idea what the future holds and if that belief will have to change one day.

Society and systems make some labels inevitable,

As things stand now, I will not contenance any discussion of "that'll be because of your diabetes". It was as a result of such a challenged discussion that my GP removed me from the register.

Am I a diabetic person? I don't particularly consider myself so, but then I don't consider myself to be a horrid or cruel person either, but out there, in this life, there are probably those who believe differently.

Bit of a ramble, but that's my thinking.

Oh, and I think this place is hugely needed for those in maintenace phases of whichever phase of their condition they are in - whether blood glucose, weight or just juggling life alongside co-morbidities which include or have included diabetes along the way.
Click to expand...
Do you ever have meals that challenge your ability to cope with carbs?
 
Mr_Pot said:
Do you ever have meals that challenge your ability to cope with carbs?
Click to expand...

I'm assuming you mean like paella, or curry with some proper rice? Yes, from time to time.

I'm not in any great rush to eat the likes of rice, as foregoing it gives me an excuse to eat more of the flavoursome stuff, and not effectively the padded carrier.

I always have a roastie (or two, if they're extra crispy) with Sunday roast, if my OH is cooking it. If I'm cooking, there aren't any spuds, never mind roasties. The chef in the chair is in charge, in this house anyway.

I also posted results of my home OGTT test some time back, although I can't recall the exact thread to be honest. I passed it.

Another member with staggering results (better than mind I'd say) is @andcol who is much more bold on his eating regimes than I am. His profile signature has a link to quite a long thread about his early days journey, and I think he has updated it from time to time.
 
@Mr_Pot - I stumbled across my OGTT results earlier when adding some bloods I had done today (not diabetes related), so thought I'd post them here as you had asked about glucose/carb challenges.

Anyway, my results were:

Baseline: 3.9
15 minutes: 7.5
30 minutes: 9.4
45 minutes: 9.0
1 hour: 6.9
75 minutes: 5.7
90 minutes: 5.2
105 minutes: 4.5
2 hours: 3.5
135 minutes: 3.2
150 minutes: 3.7, then decaf coffee with milk, and off to get on with my day.

For completeness, I will declare I didn't carb up, pre-test. It was a conscious decision not to.
 
derry60 said:
I was just having one meal a day for quite some time as I was never hungry, but what came with it was my hair was starting to get thinner. I would eat around 7 pm then have nothing until 7 pm the next evening. My nails were suffering also and getting very dry skin. Turns out I was not eating enough. When you only have one meal a day you must lack nutrition and going for days on end without eating to me cannot be a good thing. I also stalled with my weight loss which can happen when people only eat one meal a day. I was having one meal a day and two months I had not lost any more weight. I have been adviced to have two meals a day then the weight loss should start to happen again,and hopefully my hair should get thicker.
Click to expand...
I have lunch now every other day. I also take a multivitamin a day. My hair is now thicker again and my nails are doing good.
 
Back
Top