It can be done!

[kev0360]

Excuse me if I don't adhere to etiquette, I'm new here!

Six weeks ago I was informed by my doctor I had type 2 diabetes, with a fasting blood sugar of 8.1 and weighing 18st 12 lbs. She wanted to put me on medicine straight away but we agreed I would try and lose weight first for 3 months.

A week in Benidorm and I felt ready to see if I could lose some weight.

My wife (also overweight but not diabetic) and I started on a low GL diet. We cut out all sugary food, potatoes, rice and bread and cereals. The meal recipes we found from various sources were tasty, filling and varied. I also cut out beer and just had an occasional glass of wine.

We also gave our dog two half hour walks each day.

My weight today is 16st 6lbs, blood sugar 5.8 and my wife has also lost 10 lbs.

My doctor's reaction was "wow", keep it up.

Only downside is I have had to replace all my clothes, and my wife's going shopping at the weekend for a new wardrobe........

My point is IT CAN BE DONE, and without daft diets or a gym!

 

[Northerner]

Well done Kev! And welcome to the forum 🙂 I'm sure a lot of people will be very encouraged to read your story - keep up the good work! 🙂

 

[Silkman_Bob]

Well done - great work 🙂

 

[Steff]

Hi Kev and a warm welcome to the forum thank you for posting your experiences such a great postitive post that will no doubt encourage alot of us,well done

 

[lucy123]

Well done Kev - very encouraging.

 

[kev0360]

Thanks for your thoughts all.

One question I do have is if one of the main reasons for the increase in diabetes is obesity then why is the mainstream diet advice to "eats lots of complex carbs, rice, pasta etc" when it appears that it's the carbs that cause the weight increase?

 

[Robster65]

Hi kev. Belated welcome and well done. 🙂

I think the medical profession are hooked on the GDA (guideline daily amount) of carbs which is about 200-250g per day.

If you were to eat this, then complex carbs are better than processed or simple carbs, which would spike your BG to the moon. Complex carbs have a slower break down, although, as many have discovered, they still send BGs high and hold them there.

Low carbing does seem to work for many T2s but needs careful thought to ensure sufficient calories and nutrition. 🙂

Rob

 

[Northerner]

Thanks for your thoughts all.

One question I do have is if one of the main reasons for the increase in diabetes is obesity then why is the mainstream diet advice to "eats lots of complex carbs, rice, pasta etc" when it appears that it's the carbs that cause the weight increase?

I think the more enlightened healthcare professionals (and diabetics!) recognise the problem with that kind of advice and there is more of a move towards low/moderate, low GI/GL carb intake gaining momentum. For many years fat has been seen as the enemy of good health, and carbs as the better alternative, but really it is all about balance and finding what works for the individual 🙂

 

[ella]

well done to both of you

Well done Kev, I am so pleased for you. I seem to have been told the opposite, eat more pasta, rice, cereals, more carbs.
I am really trying to lose some weight, would you mind sharing a day or two of your diet so I can get some ideas about the kind of meals you are eating. I would be very grateful

 

[lynnnora2]

Low GL diet

Hi all,
I have also started the Low GL diet and think its great. Ive only been doing it a week and have lost 3 pounds. chuffed to bits with this as I have struggled in the past. My blood sugar is also getting better so killing 2 birds with one stone.
Lynn

 

[Northerner]

Hi all,
I have also started the Low GL diet and think its great. Ive only been doing it a week and have lost 3 pounds. chuffed to bits with this as I have struggled in the past. My blood sugar is also getting better so killing 2 birds with one stone.
Lynn

Ooh Lynn! Well done, that's excellent! 🙂 You should add your successes into the group weight loss total!

http://www.diabetessupport.co.uk/boards/showthread.php?t=13763&page=24

🙂

 

[kev0360]

For Ella

I kept a record of a couple of weeks diet to show doctor, here it is with the weight records also.

18 July 2011 Poached egg.
ham & tomatoes Salmon salad
Turkey & chickpea curry, sprouts and carrots

17st 13 lbs

19 July 2011 Porridge oats
Turkey in cajun spice & salad
Haddock florentine & brocoli
20 July 2011 Bacon, egg and mushrooms
Cheese salad, apple and orange
Homemade beefburgers, salad & fruit
21 July 2011 Porridge oats
Tuna salad & orange
Beef stew and vegetables
22 July 2011 Scrambled egg
Cheese salad, apple and orange
Carvery turkey & vegetables
23 July 2011 Ham, egg mushrooms & beans
Salmon salad with red wine

24 July 2011 Bacon, egg and mushrooms
Carrot and coriander soup
Lamb kebabs with salad. Fruits with Greek yoghurt
25 July 2011 Porridge oats
Tuna salad
Flat mushrooms with vegetables

17st 6lbs

26 July 2011 Ham, egg mushrooms tomatoes & beans
Tuna salad, apple & orange
Chicken Korma. Fruits with greek yoghurt
27 July 2011 Porridge with blueberries
Ham & cheese salad
Tuna steak with brocoli, mange tout & carrots. Stewed rhubarb & Greek yoghurt
28 July 2011 Get up and go
Cheese salad, apple and orange
Pork steaks in red wine, brocoli & mixed veg
29 July 2011 Ham, egg and tomatoes and beans
Tuna salad
Chicken & Thyme salad
30 July 2011 Ham, mushrooms & beans
Homemade beefburgers & salad
Salmon with brocoli, peas & carrots
31 July 2011 Bacon, mushroom omlette
gammon with brocoli, carrots, peas & cabbage
01 August 2011 Porridge with blueberries

17st 1lbs


I also took a multivitamin and fish oil.

 

[Newtothis]

newtothis

Excuse me if I don't adhere to etiquette, I'm new here!

Six weeks ago I was informed by my doctor I had type 2 diabetes, with a fasting blood sugar of 8.1 and weighing 18st 12 lbs. She wanted to put me on medicine straight away but we agreed I would try and lose weight first for 3 months.

A week in Benidorm and I felt ready to see if I could lose some weight.

My wife (also overweight but not diabetic) and I started on a low GL diet. We cut out all sugary food, potatoes, rice and bread and cereals. The meal recipes we found from various sources were tasty, filling and varied. I also cut out beer and just had an occasional glass of wine.

We also gave our dog two half hour walks each day.

My weight today is 16st 6lbs, blood sugar 5.8 and my wife has also lost 10 lbs.

My doctor's reaction was "wow", keep it up.

Only downside is I have had to replace all my clothes, and my wife's going shopping at the weekend for a new wardrobe........

My point is IT CAN BE DONE, and without daft diets or a gym!

That's great news - well done. Can I ask what type of meals you're eating. I was diagnosed a week ago but have lost over 1 stone in 6 weeks. Have cut out all saturated fats; sugars etc... but have cereal for breakfast (weetabix) is this a no no - don't eat bread; rice; very limited potato (only once a week and only 2 very small); have lots of salmon; mackerel; salad...its difficult to know what to eat. 🙂

 

[Northerner]

That's great news - well done. Can I ask what type of meals you're eating. I was diagnosed a week ago but have lost over 1 stone in 6 weeks. Have cut out all saturated fats; sugars etc... but have cereal for breakfast (weetabix) is this a no no - don't eat bread; rice; very limited potato (only once a week and only 2 very small); have lots of salmon; mackerel; salad...its difficult to know what to eat. 🙂

If you see the post above yours Amanda, you'll see that Kev has given a couple of weeks menus 🙂

 

[kev0360]

We also make sure to visit the local pub once a week for a carvery, no potatoes but plenty of meat & veg, it doesn't have to be boring!

 

[Northerner]

We also make sure to visit the local pub once a week for a carvery, no potatoes but plenty of meat & veg, it doesn't have to be boring!

Life wouldn't be worth living without a treat - especially when you've worked hard to earn it! 🙂

 

[kev0360]

An update

Hi All,

Back to the doctor today.

After 4 months on my diet I have gone from 44 to 36 waist and lost 4 stone.

My hbac1 is now 5, down from 7.5 in August!

My doctor says she has never seen anyone do that in 25 years.

 

[GlucoseGary]

Hi Kevin,

Great progress there. I too am trying low carb at the moment, have lost a stone in 7 weeks without feeling I was missing out on much.

I don't know if you've read The Hungry Years by William Leith, but he draws a powerful and convincing association between "carb addiction" and overweight for many people.

I think the problem is that many diabetics die of heart disease, so the medics focus on the fat issue to prevent that - which might be great advice for T1s, but the biggest single thing T2s can do for themselves is lose weight, and I've personally never found that easy on a carb-rich diet.

 

[cherrypie]

Hi Kevin,

Great progress there. I too am trying low carb at the moment, have lost a stone in 7 weeks without feeling I was missing out on much.

I don't know if you've read The Hungry Years by William Leith, but he draws a powerful and convincing association between "carb addiction" and overweight for many people.

I think the problem is that many diabetics die of heart disease, so the medics focus on the fat issue to prevent that - which might be great advice for T1s, but the biggest single thing T2s can do for themselves is lose weight, and I've personally never found that easy on a carb-rich diet.

I have read Leith's book and there is a strong correlation between his over eating and his personal relationships IMHO.
There is a review here.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2005/aug/21/biography.features2

 

[GlucoseGary]

Absolutely, he's quite clear that he sees addictions of all kinds as masking some deeper problem. But it was the comparison of carbohydrate to addictions such as drugs and pornography which I found most interesting - along with the economic fact that you can only sustain modern population levls by basing your diet on carbs, meaning that the "carb lobby" is incredibly powerful and attempts to challenge it (eg by Atkins) are attacked from all directions.