Women. Stress and Weight gain.

Thanks for that, Catherine - a very interesting article!

I know I eat as a response to stress and pressure - comfort food again. And of course it was always high-carb 'treat' food.

Viv 8)

Thanks CC interesting...
Often see high profiled persons in the newspapers and magazines with fluctuating weight gain and losses.
Makes me think of these factors in their lifestyles.
The MORE stressed I am - the less I eat, always have since being a teenager!
Anna .

I wish I was like that, Anna! If I'm stressed, I eat. If I'm happy, I eat. If I'm bored, I eat...!

I eat far too much

I never seem to stop. trying to test my bs levels has highlighted this.

I have always been fighting a losing battle controlling what I eat to try and lose weight. At Weight Watchers the new pro points recommended eating as much vegetables and fruit I liked. It didn't take me long, i soon stepped up to the plate where fruit was concerned. I went fron the occasional banana to taking the minimum of 6/7 pieces to work each day. A couple of satsumas, a pear 1 or 2 bananas, a couple of plums or apricots, 1 or 2 kiwi, and relatively recently an apple.

I've been telling myself that it's a good thing to eat this much fruit. And chomp away.

In my past life I would make 1&1/2 sandwiches to eat on way to work, when I arrived around 9am I would put the fruit, the salad and a readymeal in drawer. Before half past 9 I have already eaten a satsuma by lunchtime the bananas and the pear have gone. Obviously I can't be hungry but I will eat my lunch. Going back to grazing the fruit until home time. The kiwi is usually last as it needs to be cut.

Once I was told I was diabetic. I immediately gave up the white bread. No sandwiches for me in the morning. And instead of a ww ready meal with the salad for lunch I have tuna, mackerel or cottage cheese etc. However, where the fruit continued. I noticed that from taking my bs before breakfast and waiting to take it again approx 2 hours later, I do not stop eating.

It's not hunger, it's habit. I jump at any excuse to be distracted at work (due mainly to stress and feeling somewhat overwhelmed with the workload). Whereas I used to go outside and have a smoke when I felt in need of a break, a piece of fruit filled the void when I gave up 2 yrs ago. But without me realising it has increased to the point where I don't seem to stop.

I have noticed that my 2hr after breakfast test usually reads up around 8.5 - 9.5 now I know why.

Tomorrow I will eat a piece of fruit with my poached egg n grilled bacon breakfast then not take any fruit to work. Go cold turkey. If there is nothing but my lunch in my drawer I will have to just get on with working. :shock:

Well ok. checked mmol/l first thing which was 6.4. I had bacon buttie for breakfast. Grilled bacon between 2 slices of the soya and liseed bread. checked again a couple of hours later (no fruit inbetween) and it was 9.6! Makes me wonder if the 3 a day metformin tablets are actually doing anything at all. Yeah, I know I've only been on them 3 weeks but it seems much longer.

Tootse said:

Well ok. checked mmol/l first thing which was 6.4. I had bacon buttie for breakfast. Grilled bacon between 2 slices of the soya and liseed bread. checked again a couple of hours later (no fruit inbetween) and it was 9.6! Makes me wonder if the 3 a day metformin tablets are actually doing anything at all. Yeah, I know I've only been on them 3 weeks but it seems much longer.

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Metformin don't work directly on your blood glucose levels, but make your muscle cells less insulin-resistant, so more of your blood glucose is converted to energy. I've heard they also make the liver produce less glucose, but I'm not sure how that works.

I think it takes some time for the Metformin effect to work; it's not like (eg) (headache + Paracetamol) = no headache! It needs time. Did you start on it one-a-day for a week, etc, or did they just shove you straight on to all three?

It may be that even the burgen bread is spiking you - try just one slice for your bacon buttie and see what that does. I tried burgen bread but don't like it. It was quite a few months of low-carbing before I was able to eat the occasional slice of bread. Tesco's Finest Multi-grain Wholemeal is my bread of choice - it barely spikes me at all, even in a 2-slice sandwich. Mind you, I only eat a sandwich if I'm working on site all day (I'm an archaeologist), so maybe all the exercise helps!

Don't give up in disgust, Tootse - you'll get there!

Viv 8)

viviennem said:

Metformin don't work directly on your blood glucose levels, but make your muscle cells less insulin-resistant, so more of your blood glucose is converted to energy. I've heard they also make the liver produce less glucose, but I'm not sure how that works.

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If Metformin makes my muscle cells less insulin resistant and turns my blood glucose into energy, what happens if I'm in a VERY sedentary job and I do not burn off this extra energy? I really don't have anymore room for more fat cells (can't say I have really noticed any energy lately, which is a shame because I could really use some).

catherinecherub said:

Came across this article about women and stress. Does it make you put on weight? Is coffee a factor as it's consumption releases adrenalin?

Seems a logical explanation so what do you think?

http://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/wellb ... eight-gain

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In the main I am a pretty calm person, but if I get stressed about something, I tend to be really bad. I can't say if this report is right or not, I don't eat any more or less when stressed, nor do I drink more or less coffee, and I am still loosing weight. I think weight loss in the main is genetics, all the females in my family are/were slim(ish). I was slim until I was prescribed steroids. I mention this as I also think weight loss is genetic, hence why once I put my mind to loosing weight I have. Had my family been slightly larger, perhaps I wouldn't have been so lucky in weight loss as I have been?

Another interesting article catherinecherub. I once had a job where we had a sate of the art coffeemachine with really good coffee . we were a fairly "elite bunch" in hat very few people had access o his machine and when anyone used he macine they ayutomatically also poured a cup for anyone sitting in the vicinity. here were often several cups of strong black coffee on my desk and i would absentmindedly drink far oo many without even noticing.
When i left that job I had distinct withdrawal sympoms headaches , shakes irritabikity - for months.

I stopped dronking coffee alogether afer hat and haven't had any until just recenly. "Tired but wired" describes me I could easily become addiced again so shall be sure to resrict my intake.Paricularly if ir raises my blood sugar.

If i am a little stressed i will eat some forbidden things . If greatky stressed i don't eat at all. Don't know what i do if unsrtressed - I can't remember how that feels!
That explanation makes perfect sense to me. A timely warning. Thanks!

Tootse said:

viviennem said:

Metformin don't work directly on your blood glucose levels, but make your muscle cells less insulin-resistant, so more of your blood glucose is converted to energy. I've heard they also make the liver produce less glucose, but I'm not sure how that works.

Click to expand...

If Metformin makes my muscle cells less insulin resistant and turns my blood glucose into energy, what happens if I'm in a VERY sedentary job and I do not burn off this extra energy? I really don't have anymore room for more fat cells (can't say I have really noticed any energy lately, which is a shame because I could really use some).

Click to expand...

Unfortunately it doesn't work instantly - that's why, IMHO, controlling my carbohydrate intake is so important. Once your muscle cells are less insulin-resistant, there's less blood glucose floating around to be stuffed into the fat cells. Eating less carbohydrate means less blood glucose to start with. Metformin is also supposed to reduce appetite somewhat, and that has certainly happened to me!

I can't walk much more than about 100m, and I can't afford to go to the gym to use the exercise bike at the moment, so I hardly do any exercise at present, apart from a little housework and more gardening. I've still managed to reduce my weight by 60lbs, and now keep my BG levels in the non-diabetic range, since diagnosis in April 2010. It can be done .

Now I'm retired I have very little stress any more - maybe that's helped reduce my food intake :lol: .

Viv 8)

I think that you may be eating too many carbs Tootse!
I have been reading up on Metformin - mostly because my DN wont prescribe it for me.
If your BGs are running very high it can make a big difference, but if they are running around the 8 or 9 mark it makes a much smaller difference, and if your HB is 6, as mine is, it makes virtually no difference. At least thats what the Nurse says.
Even Burgen bread is too high in carbs for me, and I rarely eat fruit - again too high in carbs for me to cope with.
The conventional Diet advice that fruit is good for you does not hold true for diabetics, we are not healthy people and we need a very specific diet.
If you seriously eat a low or controlled carb diet, you will soon notice that you are not hungry and you stop nibbling. Try having eggs and bacon for breakfast and hold the toast. Then check your BG after two hours. I predict that you will be staggered by how low the numbers go!

No grains, no roots, no sugar, no fruits.

spendercat said:

No grains, no roots, no sugar, no fruits.

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Wow, harsh

One of the ways that I cope with stress at work was to rummage in my drawer for some fruit (I put a large stockpile of satsumas, kiwi, pears, plums, nectarines. Apricots) this goes on throughout the day. What can I do to break this habit? I already drink loads of water etc. Gave up smoking 2 years ago and kinda replaced that stress buster with an eating one.

I try berries (strawberries, bluberries, blackberries, raspberries, and cherries but i'm not sure of quantities (was on Weight Watchers diet which allows as much fruit as you like) and I'm sure that I'm probably eating far too many. Does anyone know how many portions in a day and how big a portion?

Fresh fruit carbs:

Apple, 1 med 21g carb
Apricot, 1 3.9g
Pear, 1 med 15g
Plum, 1 med 8.8g
Nectarine, 1 med 13.5g
Satsuma, 1 med 12.8g
Kiwi, 1 10.6g
Cherries, 90g 10.4g


Raspberries, 60g 2.8g carb
Strawberries, 70g 4.2g
Blueberries, 75g 4.9g
Blackberries, 75g 3.8g

All values taken from Collins gem Carb Counter

It's very easy to take in too many carbs with fruit. I do it at this time of the year 'cos I can't resist apricots, nectarines and strawberries , but I try to have no more than 3 portions a day, and it's usually 1 or 2. Berry fruits are best, as you can see from the list above, apricots and plums probably next best. Cream helps control the BG rise. :wink: Portion control is very important! :shock:

Could you substitute celery, carrot sticks, pepper slices and a few cherry tomatoes for some of the fruit? Also a few nuts, cheese cubes or Baby Bels? Cold meat and chicken legs? Those are okay for me, on a very low carb diet, but may not fit in with yours.

Hope this helps.

Viv 8)

Hi, as fruit contains natural fructose, I would hold off as much as possible, but the only real way to tell is by testing. Personally even Burgen bread spikes me and the only fruit I eat is Framfoods frozen rhubarb (carbs 0.8g per 100g) I add sweetener and then zap in micowave and add some cream or greek youhurt. other than this I eat occasional berries, Deb

catherinecherub said:

Are you snacking out of habit or because you are hungry? Rethink your meals to include all food groups and you may not be hungry between meals but if it is a habit then it will not help with weight loss.

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It is very likely habit. Like I said, I believe that I eat because I am stressed.

I will stop taking fruit into work, I can't eat what isn't in my drawer. I'm not sure I have the will power to replace with nuts etc as I do struggle with portion control and will eat the whole bag.

Since staring Metformin and cutting carbs just over 4 weeks ago, I have lost zero weight. I was very disappointed with myself as I thought I had been quite good. But hey, it's early days. I need to get used to the idea that this is now a lifetime change and not a quick fix.

I still find it difficult to get my head around swapping carbs for protein or fats. All my life my diets have been around cutting fats and calorie intake (albeit unsuccessful). I keep finding myself piling on the veg in the gap where rice/mash/chips/pasta etc used to be, but then realise that in a very short while I'm hungry. I have to rid myself of the guilty feelings I get when have extra meat to replace the rice etc., or using butter instead of low fat spread, but it's not easy to change a lifetime of habit.

No, Tootse, it isn't easy - we've all been brainwashed into thinking "evil fat". I remember the struggle I had trying to get the first bite of pork chop with fat into my mouth!

Take it steadily. You don't need to gorge on fat, just not cut it out. A handful of nuts has good fats (I totally agree about portion control with nuts - I try not to eat them too often!). A couple of pieces of cheese every day - Atkins says no more than 4 ounces per day. A knob of butter on your hot veg. I eat a two-egg omelette every morning for breakfast, cooked with butter.

Fat and protein does make you feel fuller. Yesterday I had my omelette, an avocado with a bit of dressing for lunch, and for supper leeks, courgette & mushrooms with chicken, oven-cooked with some oil & butter and served with a splash of cream, for supper. I doubt if I had more than 1200 calories all day, and not a single hunger pang!

A good tip is to drink water. I try to drink 2 litres a day - I fill a 2-litre jug in the morning and try to make sure it's finished by bed-time. Take a litre bottle to work and have a drink every time you fancy a snack. It does help. And try the snacks I suggested above - a cheese cube and a radish work wonders!

Viv 8)

An avocado with a bit of dressing for lunch? I'll starve! :shock:

That was my immediate reaction when I read that. Like I said I struggle with portion control. I can see clearly that you are having plenty to eat, but my greedy mind automatically screamed DEPRIVATION!

It's all Psychological. Firstly, I need to change my thinking from 'if I don't eat that then I'm depriving myself' to 'if I don't eat that then I'm going to be much better for it'. Sounds easy but I've been trying to change my thinking for years with no luck.

Then I need to find another stress buster other than food whilst at work. I contemplated getting up from chair to walk around instead of reaching for the drawer. But realised 'd be up and down like a yoyo throughout the day, i'd never get any work done.

I have cut down on the fruit I take to work and restricting it to berries only. Next week I will only take berries to put in a greek yoghurt for lunch. Wean myself slowly of my all day snacking.

Take it steadily, one day at a time. If it suits you better, eat 5 small meals instead of 3 big ones. Take your "at work" food intake with you in a plastic box so that's all you can have during the day. Leave the bag of nuts at home and just put a small handful in the box with your hard-boiled eggs, cheese, salad veggies, cold meat etc. If you have somewhere to drain it, take a tin of tuna with you (oil, not brine!) and eat it for lunch. Very filling! Remember you can have mayonnaise :wink:

And whatever you do, don't beat yourself up. One day at a time. Maybe you had a hiccup today. So what? that's behind you. Don't let it be an excuse to give up for the rest of the week. Remember we're all behind you on this - most of us have been there.

As for the avocado - split it, take out the stone, fill each hole with the low-carb dressing of your choice. Eat slowly, with a teaspoon.

Stress at work - can you get out in your lunch break and go for a walk? Missing out any food shops, of course :wink:

Have a look at Viv's Modified Atkins Diet (Sticky Thread section) for a list of low-carb foods you can eat plenty of. You need never be hungry on low carb.

Good luck!

Viv 8)