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Weight

Lynz84

Well-Known Member
Messages
344
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Hi All

Anyone struggling to lose weight whilst on insulin?

Im finding this process very slow!
 
I don't know if it's the same for us but when people would use insulin for muscle growth they tend to put on a good amount of fat. Usually this also increases visceral fat which is harder to lose if there is insulin resistance. But again don't know in what way this affects us. Furthermore visceral fat is in some ways connected to insulin resistance.

This all said the basis for losing weight is the same for diabetics and non diabetics. As a non diabetic would consume more carbs he would demand more insulin from his body and stack on some weight. Same for us though we supply the insulin ourselves. So generally eating less carbs will decrease your need for insulin and make it easier to lose weight. This and a moderate exercise program would help you well on your way.

On the other hand there are factors that can decrease your ability to lose weight. Your body type, age, not getting enough sleep, ... the list goes on. So if you're sure that on your current diet/exercise regime you should be losing weight and you're not it's worth looking into other things that might have an effect. There are plenty of pitfalls when you're trying to lose weight and it's a bit more tedious for us. Just think of doing a great workout and then having to drink double the amount you burned in calls because you suddenly have an hypo. So having your BG under control is a step more we have to take as opposed to non diabetics. And you can expect a bit of trial and error before you properly start to lose weight. For me i usually lose a couple the first week or two then stagnate or even rise again for a good week or more and then it starts going down in a straight line, but everyone will be different in this.
 

So true. I couldn't lose any weight until I cut fat which made me cut insulin
I lost 7#s in 2 weeks and stuck for a week. Hope it will kick in again. Not much to lose but have a number in mind.
Funny thing is I started journaling again and realized how much far made me insulin resistant as well as hungry.
 
I have been eating well under my calories and made sure that is is healthy as well. I have been carb counting and scanning using an App and managed to go from 95Kg to 84Kg since December. I tend to hit a wall but this seems normal.

The challenge I have is that when I get tight control I sail closer to Hypo so tend to pop the odd wine gum to prevent dropping into Hypo. I medicate for the Carbs I take in so this reduces. The Lantus is challenging though as this has also reduced.

I am interested in the fat burning process, to move the fat as with a none diabetic I need to convert it and burn it. This also effects my sugar levels and is possibly the reason why I am getting unexplained highs even when I am fasting. The Freestyle meter has rammed this home to me as this gives me a better view. Its not a simple case of using my Lantus as this can lead to fasting lows. I have also split my Lantus with the bulk before bed and the balance in the morning. This seems to flatten my line in the day and stops the nocturnal hypos.

I am sure with the extra data gathered from these meters more research will be made into this. I would love some specific tips outside of the normal diet advise around what happens in the body of a Type 1 when they diet and what effects this has on my liver, insulin and glucose levels.

One last this is that it is hard work to loose weight and you need to be in it for the long term. I can stay the same for weeks go up and then go down but I just keep chipping away with it.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Yes,

One of the functions of insulin is to instruct fat cells to take in sugar and convert it to fat. This is why injection areas tend to put on weight and why we get lipohypertrophy (fatty lumps at injection sites).

When insulin is produced in the pancreas, much goes straight to the liver which stores glucose. But for us, insulin just goes everywhere.

So, even the science agrees: it's easier to gain weight on insulin injections.

My two suggestions are:
  • Exercise - it makes muscles absorb more glucose so fat cells absorb less
  • Low-carb diet - many people (including myself) find that it helps them lose weight
 
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