I've hit my target weight - yay!

[Windy]

I was diagnosed T2 in November 2021 and went on a big diet, going from 100kg to 62.5kg, and my HbA1c was 83 mmol/mol then and was 34mmol/mol when I had my diabetes review this week. The nurse said that I'm in diabetic remission through weight loss, and that I should talk to the GP about stopping metformin, which I did, and I took the remaining metformin pills to the pharmacy for disposal.

The downside is that my cholesterol has gone up, and I'm on the cusp of needing statins, so I agreed to give them a go and see how that goes. I'm aware that there's side effects with them, but I balance that against the benefits of reduced risk of cardiovascular problems, and I can stop if the side effects are bad, or try a different statin.

It's been a slog staying on the diet, and if anyone had told me at the end of 2021 that I'd get here, I wouldn't have believed them, as I've failed on every other diet I've been on. But I did it. I know it's going to be a slog to stay at this weight, but I'll tackle that as best as I can. I'm still failing to take enough exercise, but I'm hoping I can try again with that.

My diet tips are to:

• work out how many calories for each meal, keep notes on what you are going to eat each day and try and stick to that.
• Don't eat in front of the TV, as it's easy to eat more and more quickly than otherwise
• Weigh everything - it's easy to have a handful of dry roasted peanuts or whatever, and you've eaten too many calories for that day. Little pots of weighed food make it easier to stay in control.
• know what food is likely to lead you astray, and to try to avoid it as much as possible.
• accept that there's days when you're going to struggle to stay on your diet, but you can get back on it the next day when things are steadier, and not to beat yourself up over it.
• Think about the big picture benefits of losing weight - health benefits, being able to spend more time with friends etc.
• Be kind to yourself

 

[Inka]

Well done @Windy ! Amazing work - you should be very proud 🙂

 

[nonethewiser]

Well done, great achievement.

There's lot of nonsense out there about statins, very few get side effects & they are considered safe & very effective at lowering cholesterol.

 

[bulkbiker]

Well done, great achievement.

There's lot of nonsense out there about statins, very few get side effects & they are considered safe & very effective at lowering cholesterol.

Assuming that "lowering" cholesterol is in any way a good thing... ?

 

[Ditto]

Brilliant! Well done you. 🙂

 

[Windy]

Assuming that "lowering" cholesterol is in any way a good thing... ?

The stuff I've read says that taking statins reduces the risk of heart attacks and strokes by 25% by reducing the production of cholesterol in the liver. I can't argue with you if that's a good or bad thing, if you think cholesterol is a good thing, fill your boots. The stuff I've read said it isn't, but we'll have to agree to disagree on it.
As with all medication, there's a risk of side effects, and it's up to everyone to make their own assessment of if the risk of side effects outweighs the benefits of taking the medication, after talking with their GP about it.
The medication I'm on, atorvastatin, is out of patent, so it's not being pushed to make money for a pharmaceutical company, and the generic versions cost about £1 a month for the NHS per person.
I also watched a video on youtube from a cardiologist who works in the NHS who does a ten minute explainer, which set my mind at rest, along with other stuff I'd read on the NHS, British Heart Foundation and Diabetes UK websites which back that up.
It's up to everyone to make their minds up, but I'm willing to give them a try, as lifestyle interventions and weight loss hasn't decreased my cholesterol.
You look after yourself. Sarah

 

[bulkbiker]

The stuff I've read says that taking statins reduces the risk of heart attacks and strokes by 25% by reducing the production of cholesterol in the liver. I can't argue with you if that's a good or bad thing, if you think cholesterol is a good thing, fill your boots. The stuff I've read said it isn't, but we'll have to agree to disagree on it.
As with all medication, there's a risk of side effects, and it's up to everyone to make their own assessment of if the risk of side effects outweighs the benefits of taking the medication, after talking with their GP about it.
The medication I'm on, atorvastatin, is out of patent, so it's not being pushed to make money for a pharmaceutical company, and the generic versions cost about £1 a month for the NHS per person.
I also watched a video on youtube from a cardiologist who works in the NHS who does a ten minute explainer, which set my mind at rest, along with other stuff I'd read on the NHS, British Heart Foundation and Diabetes UK websites which back that up.
It's up to everyone to make their minds up, but I'm willing to give them a try, as lifestyle interventions and weight loss hasn't decreased my cholesterol.
You look after yourself. Sarah

Indeed, your body, your choice.

I choose not to take them because I've had about every heart test going and my arteries are fine so...

 

[Deleted member 21371]

I was diagnosed T2 in November 2021 and went on a big diet, going from 100kg to 62.5kg, and my HbA1c was 83 mmol/mol then and was 34mmol/mol when I had my diabetes review this week. The nurse said that I'm in diabetic remission through weight loss, and that I should talk to the GP about stopping metformin, which I did, and I took the remaining metformin pills to the pharmacy for disposal.

The downside is that my cholesterol has gone up, and I'm on the cusp of needing statins, so I agreed to give them a go and see how that goes. I'm aware that there's side effects with them, but I balance that against the benefits of reduced risk of cardiovascular problems, and I can stop if the side effects are bad, or try a different statin.

It's been a slog staying on the diet, and if anyone had told me at the end of 2021 that I'd get here, I wouldn't have believed them, as I've failed on every other diet I've been on. But I did it. I know it's going to be a slog to stay at this weight, but I'll tackle that as best as I can. I'm still failing to take enough exercise, but I'm hoping I can try again with that.

My diet tips are to:

• work out how many calories for each meal, keep notes on what you are going to eat each day and try and stick to that.
• Don't eat in front of the TV, as it's easy to eat more and more quickly than otherwise
• Weigh everything - it's easy to have a handful of dry roasted peanuts or whatever, and you've eaten too many calories for that day. Little pots of weighed food make it easier to stay in control.
• know what food is likely to lead you astray, and to try to avoid it as much as possible.
• accept that there's days when you're going to struggle to stay on your diet, but you can get back on it the next day when things are steadier, and not to beat yourself up over it.
• Think about the big picture benefits of losing weight - health benefits, being able to spend more time with friends etc.
• Be kind to yourself

Brilliant result.
I've never had any issues with statins, it's well worth giving them a try.

 

[Barrowman]

I've been taking statins for around nine years now and they have definitely worked well for me with no side effects whatsoever. Congratulations on your weight achievement, well done.

 

[nonethewiser]

The stuff I've read says that taking statins reduces the risk of heart attacks and strokes by 25% by reducing the production of cholesterol in the liver. I can't argue with you if that's a good or bad thing, if you think cholesterol is a good thing, fill your boots. The stuff I've read said it isn't, but we'll have to agree to disagree on it.
As with all medication, there's a risk of side effects, and it's up to everyone to make their own assessment of if the risk of side effects outweighs the benefits of taking the medication, after talking with their GP about it.
The medication I'm on, atorvastatin, is out of patent, so it's not being pushed to make money for a pharmaceutical company, and the generic versions cost about £1 a month for the NHS per person.
I also watched a video on youtube from a cardiologist who works in the NHS who does a ten minute explainer, which set my mind at rest, along with other stuff I'd read on the NHS, British Heart Foundation and Diabetes UK websites which back that up.
It's up to everyone to make their minds up, but I'm willing to give them a try, as lifestyle interventions and weight loss hasn't decreased my cholesterol.
You look after yourself. Sarah

Great attitude & approach to take.

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Congratulations @Windy

Such an inspiring story, and some really positive practical tips.

Hope you find a good, flexible, workable, 'maintenance' menu that you can stick to long term to keep you at your target weight, while allowing you a bit more freedom. 🙂

 

[Juliasusan]

I was diagnosed T2 in November 2021 and went on a big diet, going from 100kg to 62.5kg, and my HbA1c was 83 mmol/mol then and was 34mmol/mol when I had my diabetes review this week. The nurse said that I'm in diabetic remission through weight loss, and that I should talk to the GP about stopping metformin, which I did, and I took the remaining metformin pills to the pharmacy for disposal.

The downside is that my cholesterol has gone up, and I'm on the cusp of needing statins, so I agreed to give them a go and see how that goes. I'm aware that there's side effects with them, but I balance that against the benefits of reduced risk of cardiovascular problems, and I can stop if the side effects are bad, or try a different statin.

It's been a slog staying on the diet, and if anyone had told me at the end of 2021 that I'd get here, I wouldn't have believed them, as I've failed on every other diet I've been on. But I did it. I know it's going to be a slog to stay at this weight, but I'll tackle that as best as I can. I'm still failing to take enough exercise, but I'm hoping I can try again with that.

My diet tips are to:

• work out how many calories for each meal, keep notes on what you are going to eat each day and try and stick to that.
• Don't eat in front of the TV, as it's easy to eat more and more quickly than otherwise
• Weigh everything - it's easy to have a handful of dry roasted peanuts or whatever, and you've eaten too many calories for that day. Little pots of weighed food make it easier to stay in control.
• know what food is likely to lead you astray, and to try to avoid it as much as possible.
• accept that there's days when you're going to struggle to stay on your diet, but you can get back on it the next day when things are steadier, and not to beat yourself up over it.
• Think about the big picture benefits of losing weight - health benefits, being able to spend more time with friends etc.
• Be kind to yourself

Well done on reaching your target, that’s a fantastic achievement I have a few pounds left to reach my target and I feel a little apprehensive about coming off Metformin, as I know it’s an appetite suppressant. I take 50mg twice a day. do you feel confident about managing your diet going forward?

 

[Toddyken]

That’s amazing, you must be so proud of yourself.

 

[Windy]

Well done on reaching your target, that’s a fantastic achievement I have a few pounds left to reach my target and I feel a little apprehensive about coming off Metformin, as I know it’s an appetite suppressant. I take 50mg twice a day. do you feel confident about managing your diet going forward?

Thanks Juliasusan. You sound like you've done splendidly on your weight loss.
I mostly feel confident, but I'm still weighing all my food and logging it on a spreadsheet. I think I'll have to do this forever, as I've got no portion control otherwise, and can overeat without putting any effort into it! Also, I'm a comfort eater, and that is a risk. But it's been ok so far, fingers crossed it remains so.