NHS Low Calorie Diet - Type 2 Remission Programme - Oviva (aka Newcastle)

[ColinUK]

@BeeBusy no need to apologise for asking questions or for "hijacking" any thread as they're all about conversation really.

I get what you mean though. I lost weight and my BG was consistently in 5's at waking and also rarely above 6.5 post eating.
I reintroduced carbs and the weight crept back on slowly.

My pancreas is working better than it was when I was diagnosed. I can cope with bread and the odd cake without too large a spike in BG and it normalises quite quickly. However I've realised that by "testing" my pancreas' ability to cope it's kidding myself that I can eat 'normally' without too much impact.

I'm just (today in fact) starting another period of VLCD (800 cal roughly) with a view to focus more on the period after the weight has come off again and building a better foundation to a more sensible and sustainable way of eating without the creeping return of inadvisable carby foods.

 

[Kreator]

Therefore, I was trying to find out if people who were successful with the Newcastle diet found out they now can tolerate more carbs than before. In my mind, there isn't such a thing as a stupid question. So, I just asked my questions.

I apologize for asking the question and I'm moving on to other parts of the forum, so as not to hijack the thread anymore.

@BeeBusy,

As @ColinUK said, there are no stupid questions on here, that's what these forums are for...for me though I can't answer your question as I'm not a Carb Counter - I just watch what I eat generally...

I do know though that I eat in a totally diferent way than what I did, and if that means fewer Carbs, that's fine too 😉

 

[Kreator]

My weight and Fasting Blood sugar levels have again remained totally stable throughout, as has my waist circumference, so hey ho I guess!

To be fair, I've had 3 family Birthdays the last couple of months which has kept me fed with home baked cakes etc. (Mindful of course!) so maybe this has contribted to the slightly upwards HbA1C trend - who knows, but it's not weight gain for sure, so will see what happens over the next few months...

Next HbA1C check is 6 months away, so I'll reflect back on my eating habits and try to adjust slightly if needed...

On reflection over the weekend, I've been under a lot of stress the last few months (Not related to T2D), which until now I hadn't fully appreciated...

Looking at the effects of stress alone seems to point to a rise in Glucose levels...this stress is now beginning to pass, so will see if I can request another HbA1C in 3 months and go from there...

Not totally sure on that one, but I have also been partial to a Starbucks Skinny Mocha or two also - 15g of Sugar per cup! - Hmm, need to curb that a little I think! even though I've not gained any weight....

Several probing Finger Prick results over the weekend also (just for re-assurance) confirm all is working as it should as per Non-Diabetic...(My Fingers hurt lol!!)

I'll update... 😉

 

[Kreator]

I guess it's time for a summary...

I've learned so much from this last year - having been diagnosed with Type 2 nearly 4 years ago, and knowing at that time it's possible for Remission, I set myself to do just that...

For nearly 3 years, I had well controlled HbA1C with full dose of Metformin, along with some lifestyle changes along the way - although my HbA1C was 'Well Controlled' throughout, I never really came close to gaining 'Remission'

I remember asking my DN about Remission and coming off Metformin, only to be told 'We don't like to take patients off medication' - My response was that I couldn't go into 'Remission' if I was still on medication - there was no answer from my DN....

...until March last year, where she handed me a couple of pieces of paper about the NHS Remission Programme, which would mean coming off meds and starting the 'Newcastle Diet' of soups & shakes for 3 months, then 9 months of food re-introduction

I snapped up that chance...

Here I am one year after starting the programme on 10-05-2021 with an official start weight of 77.5Kg, although for the couple of weeks before it, I was 'sampling the new shakes' - 2 weeks before I was 79.8Kg - so I already had a head start! (My weight before this was always around the 80Kg Mark)

My official target weight was 62.5Kg - this is 15Kg official weight loss target - I thought and said at the time - na that's way too much, I want to be thin, but that's unreachable!!!

I found myself losing the weight at around 1Kg a week give or take, and each week gave me more and more motivation as it went on - I remember thinking, ok if I get down to 69Kg that will be ok, but when I got to that figure, I knew it wasn't enough, so carried on - towards the end of the shake period, I was like, ok lets get to around 65Kg, that will be ok - as I came down ove the 12 weeks, I could see the diffrences in my body shape - I still had 'the belly' even at 67K (was probably tiny in comparision to what it was) - I wasn't satisfied so carried on for the whole 12 weeks...

On the 12th week, I got down to 64.3Kg - this was great, and I felt so much better all round! - But....I remembered my original target weight of 62.5Kg - it wasn't far to go now - but I was now starting to re-introduce food which gave me a whole load of other things to think about - what can I eat? what can't I eat? - that was a time, I'll never forget...going round supermarkets, looking at packaging, then thinking...I can't have this, I can't have that etc...

On the food re-introduction stage, as I was still part taking shakes, (half food, half shakes), I decided to keep going and get to 62.5Kg, which I did on 30-09-2021 - I felt I still had some more fat to lose, so gently as I was eating food each week and exploring new foods I hadn't eaten for years, monitored my weight and got to 'my own target weight' of 60Kg - I got to this on 18-10-2021...well 60.1Kg to be presice!

From 18-10-2021 to now, I 've happily bounced between 60.7kg highest (At Xmas!) and 58.9Kg lowest

My food habits ahve totally changed, I now eat 3 meals a day, rarely snack (and that's only if I know my energy levels are low due to working sporadic nights) I of course enjoy the special occasions - it's 'normal' - My food has changed from eating ultra processed foods full of sugar & carbs to anything as unrefined as possible - porridge oats, sourdough bread (the real kind) wholewheat pasta & wholegrain rice, plenty of eggs poached of course, and enjoy a wide variety of food - all within mindful habits - if there's a special occasion coming up, I still don't go to excess...

I probably average around 2000 Cals per day, but I don't count it now - I kinda know how how much as well as only eating until I'm full which has taken quite a while to understand 'how do I know I'm full' - takes a little time, but you start to recognise the signals...I don't count Carbs either - although I'm mindful of them...mostly!

I've not had a KFC for well over a year now - to be honest, there's better more nutriscious food available, so don't feel the need to go near it - I will eat another at some point I'm sure, but it's not necessary...

So a year on and I'm fully 'In Remission' and to be honest feel better than I have done in years, so don't intend going back...

If anyone has the opportunity to get on this, please do, it's a lifesaver!

However - It's ONLY a Lifesaver if you find and sustain your new habits - if you go back to what you were eating before, you'll eventually tip into the zone again - it's for life not 12 months....(but once the 12 months is done, new habits and new ways of thinking around food will keep you going)

If not available in your area, I fully recommend following @Weekender, @ColinUK, @travellor - all 3 of you have helped me along my own journey with some truly fascinating and thought provoking insights - THANK YOU!

on 09-05-2022 My official end weight is 59.2Kg, which I've been between 60.5Kg <> 59Kg since 11-10-2021 - This was probably the hardest part - to maintain - but in the end once you have a grip on your new habits, it becomes automatic, and becomes easier as time goes by...

What a Jouney!!!

 

[ColinUK]

@Kreator what a stunning achievement and what a much needed kick up the backside for me.
I did it, reverted to old ways, put the weight back on and have had a number of false starts doing it again.
I’ve just restarted, fell off the wagon and am commencing again tomorrow for a 4 week run.

Which brand of shakes did you use?

 

[Kreator]

@Kreator what a stunning achievement and what a much needed kick up the backside for me.
I did it, reverted to old ways, put the weight back on and have had a number of false starts doing it again.
I’ve just restarted, fell off the wagon and am commencing again tomorrow for a 4 week run.

Which brand of shakes did you use?

It was Optifast - provided by Nestle of all companies!

The think I found though was that these were limited in flavour choice, so I 'Just got on with it' if that makes sense?

I found the limiting choice was easier than having to decide - I've seen various Exante posts / videos - for me that would have been a procrastination waiting to happen - which one where, how, what if I don't like that one etc...

The Optifast choices I was given were;

Chocolate Shake
Strawberry Shake
Vanilla Shake
Coffee Shake

Soup - ewww

2 Different bars for chewyness

I found generally;

Coffee shake in the morning - with a black...coffee!
Bar for Lunch
Vanilla shake around 4pm
Coffee of Chocolate shake around 7pm

Tried the soup, but no it was awful - so gave that a miss

For me at the time, it was like doing a chore - just had to be done - said 8 weeks of this will do, but the closer I got the more I thought - may as well keep going...until the 12 weeks was done - was hard to begin with but eased after a couple of weeks and just became normal...

Yep, I've been reading your posts also...you're doing great - I guess it's just a case of catching that bus and don't get off till you've achieved your goal - 4 weeks isn't long - just get through one week at a time - don't think about the full 9 yards - little steps.... 😉

 

[Christy]

I guess it's time for a summary...

I've learned so much from this last year - having been diagnosed with Type 2 nearly 4 years ago, and knowing at that time it's possible for Remission, I set myself to do just that...

For nearly 3 years, I had well controlled HbA1C with full dose of Metformin, along with some lifestyle changes along the way - although my HbA1C was 'Well Controlled' throughout, I never really came close to gaining 'Remission'

I remember asking my DN about Remission and coming off Metformin, only to be told 'We don't like to take patients off medication' - My response was that I couldn't go into 'Remission' if I was still on medication - there was no answer from my DN....

...until March last year, where she handed me a couple of pieces of paper about the NHS Remission Programme, which would mean coming off meds and starting the 'Newcastle Diet' of soups & shakes for 3 months, then 9 months of food re-introduction

I snapped up that chance...

Here I am one year after starting the programme on 10-05-2021 with an official start weight of 77.5Kg, although for the couple of weeks before it, I was 'sampling the new shakes' - 2 weeks before I was 79.8Kg - so I already had a head start! (My weight before this was always around the 80Kg Mark)

My official target weight was 62.5Kg - this is 15Kg official weight loss target - I thought and said at the time - na that's way too much, I want to be thin, but that's unreachable!!!

I found myself losing the weight at around 1Kg a week give or take, and each week gave me more and more motivation as it went on - I remember thinking, ok if I get down to 69Kg that will be ok, but when I got to that figure, I knew it wasn't enough, so carried on - towards the end of the shake period, I was like, ok lets get to around 65Kg, that will be ok - as I came down ove the 12 weeks, I could see the diffrences in my body shape - I still had 'the belly' even at 67K (was probably tiny in comparision to what it was) - I wasn't satisfied so carried on for the whole 12 weeks...

On the 12th week, I got down to 64.3Kg - this was great, and I felt so much better all round! - But....I remembered my original target weight of 62.5Kg - it wasn't far to go now - but I was now starting to re-introduce food which gave me a whole load of other things to think about - what can I eat? what can't I eat? - that was a time, I'll never forget...going round supermarkets, looking at packaging, then thinking...I can't have this, I can't have that etc...

On the food re-introduction stage, as I was still part taking shakes, (half food, half shakes), I decided to keep going and get to 62.5Kg, which I did on 30-09-2021 - I felt I still had some more fat to lose, so gently as I was eating food each week and exploring new foods I hadn't eaten for years, monitored my weight and got to 'my own target weight' of 60Kg - I got to this on 18-10-2021...well 60.1Kg to be presice!

From 18-10-2021 to now, I 've happily bounced between 60.7kg highest (At Xmas!) and 58.9Kg lowest

My food habits ahve totally changed, I now eat 3 meals a day, rarely snack (and that's only if I know my energy levels are low due to working sporadic nights) I of course enjoy the special occasions - it's 'normal' - My food has changed from eating ultra processed foods full of sugar & carbs to anything as unrefined as possible - porridge oats, sourdough bread (the real kind) wholewheat pasta & wholegrain rice, plenty of eggs poached of course, and enjoy a wide variety of food - all within mindful habits - if there's a special occasion coming up, I still don't go to excess...

I probably average around 2000 Cals per day, but I don't count it now - I kinda know how how much as well as only eating until I'm full which has taken quite a while to understand 'how do I know I'm full' - takes a little time, but you start to recognise the signals...I don't count Carbs either - although I'm mindful of them...mostly!

I've not had a KFC for well over a year now - to be honest, there's better more nutriscious food available, so don't feel the need to go near it - I will eat another at some point I'm sure, but it's not necessary...

So a year on and I'm fully 'In Remission' and to be honest feel better than I have done in years, so don't intend going back...

If anyone has the opportunity to get on this, please do, it's a lifesaver!

However - It's ONLY a Lifesaver if you find and sustain your new habits - if you go back to what you were eating before, you'll eventually tip into the zone again - it's for life not 12 months....(but once the 12 months is done, new habits and new ways of thinking around food will keep you going)

If not available in your area, I fully recommend following @Weekender, @ColinUK, @travellor - all 3 of you have helped me along my own journey with some truly fascinating and thought provoking insights - THANK YOU!

on 09-05-2022 My official end weight is 59.2Kg, which I've been between 60.5Kg <> 59Kg since 11-10-2021 - This was probably the hardest part - to maintain - but in the end once you have a grip on your new habits, it becomes automatic, and becomes easier as time goes by...

What a Jouney!!!

Well done! Fantastic🙂

 

[Weekender]

I guess it's time for a summary...

I've learned so much from this last year - having been diagnosed with Type 2 nearly 4 years ago, and knowing at that time it's possible for Remission, I set myself to do just that...

For nearly 3 years, I had well controlled HbA1C with full dose of Metformin, along with some lifestyle changes along the way - although my HbA1C was 'Well Controlled' throughout, I never really came close to gaining 'Remission'

I remember asking my DN about Remission and coming off Metformin, only to be told 'We don't like to take patients off medication' - My response was that I couldn't go into 'Remission' if I was still on medication - there was no answer from my DN....

...until March last year, where she handed me a couple of pieces of paper about the NHS Remission Programme, which would mean coming off meds and starting the 'Newcastle Diet' of soups & shakes for 3 months, then 9 months of food re-introduction

I snapped up that chance...

Here I am one year after starting the programme on 10-05-2021 with an official start weight of 77.5Kg, although for the couple of weeks before it, I was 'sampling the new shakes' - 2 weeks before I was 79.8Kg - so I already had a head start! (My weight before this was always around the 80Kg Mark)

My official target weight was 62.5Kg - this is 15Kg official weight loss target - I thought and said at the time - na that's way too much, I want to be thin, but that's unreachable!!!

I found myself losing the weight at around 1Kg a week give or take, and each week gave me more and more motivation as it went on - I remember thinking, ok if I get down to 69Kg that will be ok, but when I got to that figure, I knew it wasn't enough, so carried on - towards the end of the shake period, I was like, ok lets get to around 65Kg, that will be ok - as I came down ove the 12 weeks, I could see the diffrences in my body shape - I still had 'the belly' even at 67K (was probably tiny in comparision to what it was) - I wasn't satisfied so carried on for the whole 12 weeks...

On the 12th week, I got down to 64.3Kg - this was great, and I felt so much better all round! - But....I remembered my original target weight of 62.5Kg - it wasn't far to go now - but I was now starting to re-introduce food which gave me a whole load of other things to think about - what can I eat? what can't I eat? - that was a time, I'll never forget...going round supermarkets, looking at packaging, then thinking...I can't have this, I can't have that etc...

On the food re-introduction stage, as I was still part taking shakes, (half food, half shakes), I decided to keep going and get to 62.5Kg, which I did on 30-09-2021 - I felt I still had some more fat to lose, so gently as I was eating food each week and exploring new foods I hadn't eaten for years, monitored my weight and got to 'my own target weight' of 60Kg - I got to this on 18-10-2021...well 60.1Kg to be presice!

From 18-10-2021 to now, I 've happily bounced between 60.7kg highest (At Xmas!) and 58.9Kg lowest

My food habits ahve totally changed, I now eat 3 meals a day, rarely snack (and that's only if I know my energy levels are low due to working sporadic nights) I of course enjoy the special occasions - it's 'normal' - My food has changed from eating ultra processed foods full of sugar & carbs to anything as unrefined as possible - porridge oats, sourdough bread (the real kind) wholewheat pasta & wholegrain rice, plenty of eggs poached of course, and enjoy a wide variety of food - all within mindful habits - if there's a special occasion coming up, I still don't go to excess...

I probably average around 2000 Cals per day, but I don't count it now - I kinda know how how much as well as only eating until I'm full which has taken quite a while to understand 'how do I know I'm full' - takes a little time, but you start to recognise the signals...I don't count Carbs either - although I'm mindful of them...mostly!

I've not had a KFC for well over a year now - to be honest, there's better more nutriscious food available, so don't feel the need to go near it - I will eat another at some point I'm sure, but it's not necessary...

So a year on and I'm fully 'In Remission' and to be honest feel better than I have done in years, so don't intend going back...

If anyone has the opportunity to get on this, please do, it's a lifesaver!

However - It's ONLY a Lifesaver if you find and sustain your new habits - if you go back to what you were eating before, you'll eventually tip into the zone again - it's for life not 12 months....(but once the 12 months is done, new habits and new ways of thinking around food will keep you going)

If not available in your area, I fully recommend following @Weekender, @ColinUK, @travellor - all 3 of you have helped me along my own journey with some truly fascinating and thought provoking insights - THANK YOU!

on 09-05-2022 My official end weight is 59.2Kg, which I've been between 60.5Kg <> 59Kg since 11-10-2021 - This was probably the hardest part - to maintain - but in the end once you have a grip on your new habits, it becomes automatic, and becomes easier as time goes by...

What a Jouney!!!

I think you have done a superb job changing your eating habits @Kreator Keep the faith !

 

[Kreator]

So....It's been 3 months since my year long NHS Low Calorie Program ended...

...It's strange looking back at 15 months of all sorts of data, thoughts, questions, doubts, highs, lows, scientific evidence, opinions and a general rollercoaster of a ride the whole way through - the whole process has totally reset many areas of my life...

I still continue to weigh myself once a week, and felt I wanted to drop a little further (only around 1Kg further) - just to take the edge off the celebratory times of slight over indulgence - so my weight now hovers nicely between 58 - 59 Kg, which suits me perfectly...

I felt the time was right (2 weeks ago) to take on a 14 day trial of 'Libre 2' purely for scientific reasons - to see what happens with my blood glucose now - I don't have a scooby of what was happenning when Diabetes was in full swing other than my levels were generally high...

14 day trial has just ended, and to be honest, I wouldn't rcommend for the feint hearted - the headline figures when you scan can be difficult to take in on occasions, and you need to see the overall picture as to what's going on - it's a long game...

My levels did exactly what I thought they would (although levels from the sensor were generally high compared to a finger prick (aware of the lag and everything else etc..) - low overnight (3.5 - 4.5), then during the day between 5-6, an hour after eating I would spike to differing degrees depending on what I'd eaten then by 90 minutes would start to come down, and by 2 hours be back to normal generally - Stress plays a huge part - I could see when I was stressed levels would shoot up, so need to watch that a bit!

During exercise or slower walks my levels drop considerably after eating - the do bounce back though after exercise - so stress from exercise also plays a part - the settle down again nicely though after a while...

HbA1C estimate from the sensor is 34 - aware this isn't generally considered accurate but still, I'll take that...

So...how do I keep doing it? - I keep asking myself the same question, but for sure there are a couple of main things...

Habits - Eating - I still eat 3 meals per day - breakfast is always the same, lunch varies, and dinner varies too - probably total Calorie intake of just over 2000 Cals a day - more on fuller days, less on conservative days

Habits - Exercise - I still walk, jog, run, skip! at least 10,000 step per day - even if sometimes I don't feel like it - I feel so much better every time! - I only jog/run if I feel like I want to - I also vary the speed of my walking too - fast, slow, inbetween depending on how I'm feeling - but in any case, the main point is to remain active whatever that involves...

Again, ,thank you to everyone on this forum - life wouldn't be the same without the support from every single contributor, it helps so many people whether Type 1, 2 3c etc - it's a massive help!

 

[ShelbyR]

Week 14 - And another week done - 1.1Kg lost this week! - I feel like a kid again, so much energy to burn off, walking more and more each day, cycling - it's ridiculous!

Weight loss as at week 14 - 63.2Kg

Starting Weight - 77.5Kg
Week 14 Weight - 53.2Kg
Total Weight Loss = 14.3Kg

I feel so much more full of energy now - I'm now on full food intake - roughly 1200 - 1500 Cals a day for now

All done! - Now just to maintain it which at the moment feels totally within my own mind, body & tummy!

How is it going a few months on? Has it been easy to adjust back to full food and not gain weight back?
I have just been diagnosed Type 2 - 54, so I'm just nosing around the forum to see what has worked for people as I wonder if weight loss is a way forward for me (currently 16.8stone - 5'8) I'm very cautious of extreme diets as historically they haven't worked for me long term - I think emotional eating plays a part in my weight, so I think I have to address that first - so I'm interested in how you're doing a few months on. And well done btw! What great achievements - very inspiring!

 

[Leadinglights]

How is it going a few months on? Has it been easy to adjust back to full food and not gain weight back?
I have just been diagnosed Type 2 - 54, so I'm just nosing around the forum to see what has worked for people as I wonder if weight loss is a way forward for me (currently 16.8stone - 5'8) I'm very cautious of extreme diets as historically they haven't worked for me long term - I think emotional eating plays a part in my weight, so I think I have to address that first - so I'm interested in how you're doing a few months on. And well done btw! What great achievements - very inspiring!

@ShelbyR You are right 'extreme' diets don't work for many people and they end up putting more weight back than they lost. Your HbA1C is not desperately high so losing some weight and reducing your carbohydrate intake should bring it back to a normal level. However, it is to become a new way of eating for the long term not a quick fix.
Whatever approach you adopt has to be enjoyable otherwise it is not sustainable. Some do choose to go with a shakes-based or low calorie regime which can give a kick start but many also find a low carbohydrate approach is successful. That does not mean NO carbs but keeping your intake to a level that your body can tolerate and that will be different for different people.
Have a look at this link as you may find that gives you some ideas for tackling a change in diet that will suit you as it is based on real food. https://lowcarbfreshwell.co.uk/

 

[Deleted member 21371]

How is it going a few months on? Has it been easy to adjust back to full food and not gain weight back?
I have just been diagnosed Type 2 - 54, so I'm just nosing around the forum to see what has worked for people as I wonder if weight loss is a way forward for me (currently 16.8stone - 5'8) I'm very cautious of extreme diets as historically they haven't worked for me long term - I think emotional eating plays a part in my weight, so I think I have to address that first - so I'm interested in how you're doing a few months on. And well done btw! What great achievements - very inspiring!

Weight loss definitely worked for me.
Like you, I'm not sure just tweaking what I eat now would have worked for me, I knew committing to an extreme low carb diet for life would have stopped me dead in the lifestyle I have, and reading the stories of "carb creep" it certainly seems to need continued attention.
I tend to be spontaneous, and enjoy eating out and grabbing food on the go, so again not a good choice.

I went for the Newcastle diet to lose weight, shake based, as that severed the ties with food mentally as well.
It also meant I had a clean slate when I started eating normal food again, so I chose a healthy Mediterranean diet, low in fat, to keep the calories down and keep the weight off long term, but still eat anything if there isn't any other choice.

 

[Kreator]

How is it going a few months on? Has it been easy to adjust back to full food and not gain weight back?
I have just been diagnosed Type 2 - 54, so I'm just nosing around the forum to see what has worked for people as I wonder if weight loss is a way forward for me (currently 16.8stone - 5'8) I'm very cautious of extreme diets as historically they haven't worked for me long term - I think emotional eating plays a part in my weight, so I think I have to address that first - so I'm interested in how you're doing a few months on. And well done btw! What great achievements - very inspiring!

Hi @ShelbyR, welcome to the forum!

I've been through quite some journey to be honest in the last 18 months!

The key to 'Remission' really is losing 15Kg of weight as Roy Taylor's studies show (DiRECT) and more recently ReTune - (This one is for people that aren't overweight but have built up internal (Viceral) fat, so not quite 15Kg needed

The term 'Diet' can be very misleading generally - For example, you could say I'm on a 'Diet' now but it's a sustainable diet which isn't restricting, so therefore I can't 'fall off the wagon' so to speak! - I'm not calling it a 'Diet' - it's more of a lifestyle...

Like others have said, there is no quick fix here - it's a life change, so losing weight is only one part of the story - for me, the soup / shake thing was the quickest and easiest part, the hardest part was looking at my everyday life and how to fit the right foods into it without either gaining weight back or grabbing unhealthy foods - it took a lot of learning about what food is, what it does to your body, why certain foods spike blood glucose and how to manage it - the list for me goes on and on!

For sure though, losing the weight quickly initially through shakes, then 're-learning' everythng about food and fitting that in around my lifestyle over many months has made food 'automatic' in many ways, but I still make those decicions about what to eat when all the time - some days are easier than others, but as time goes on it gets easier and easier....

My weight is stable at 57Kg - 58Kg - which I'm happy with - I of course have those 'special occasions' or holiday modes, but I still weigh myself once a week, which I feel just keeps me in check 😉

Which ever jouney you choose, is up to you, but losing wieght quickly is the key initially...

In terms of emotional eating, yep - I've had some weird things crop up, which have been tied to emotions - I've purposfully looked at those times to reflect on 'why did I do that' and reflected and learned how to change my thinking - a lot of this jouney for me has been 'recflection' - I do it a lot, and for me has helped no end to learn and move on - we all have our habits - good or bad, and it's more about learning to change those habits than feeling guilty about things - for instance - I used to walk to the fridge out of boredom, eat something just because - my thinking now is to go for a walk instead! - It works too!

Hope I've helped in some way, let us know how you get on!

PS - I have my HbA1C next week (6 months on) , so I'll post an update once I get the results back 😉

 

[ShelbyR]

@ShelbyR You are right 'extreme' diets don't work for many people and they end up putting more weight back than they lost. Your HbA1C is not desperately high so losing some weight and reducing your carbohydrate intake should bring it back to a normal level. However, it is to become a new way of eating for the long term not a quick fix.
Whatever approach you adopt has to be enjoyable otherwise it is not sustainable. Some do choose to go with a shakes-based or low calorie regime which can give a kick start but many also find a low carbohydrate approach is successful. That does not mean NO carbs but keeping your intake to a level that your body can tolerate and that will be different for different people.
Have a look at this link as you may find that gives you some ideas for tackling a change in diet that will suit you as it is based on real food. https://lowcarbfreshwell.co.uk/

Thank you for this.. yes, it's the 'enjoyable / sustainable / impactful' Bermuda Triangle.. I have this inbuilt phrase - of 'but I eat really healthily already' which is true - some/ of the time/every now and again.. I mean I own Tahini and seeds, I love kale and am addicted to slaw, that's all I need right! 😉 ..... and the other times I'm like a toddler in a candy/chip/kebab shop/michelin restaurant/cocktail bar (ok maybe not a toddler in those last few.. 😉... Like you say - the biggest shift for me is to think of the shift being 'a lifestyle change' a forever thing, as opposed to a 'I'll do this for 3 months' as I have given up sugar and carbs before plenty of times, and still my numbers are rising. I was on a Physical theatre course at the beginning of this year for 3 months - dance classes/yoga/movement up to 5 hours a day...not eating rice or sugar or alcohol... and still my numbers are what they are. I am not good at consistency or moderation... (in anything!!) and have a weirdly successful life with being proud of this.. so there are now big changes to be made. (Saying no to free booze at conferences??! Not eating the free food?! The pasty/sausage roll in the car on the way to..anywhere.....no to sugary cocktails....ugh!!)
This is going to be hard.
My doctor has prescribed me Metformin. Which I'm going to start in the next few weeks..
Anyway. Thanks for your response. I'll look into the website. Altho the thought of shakes fills me with 80's dread..
x

 

[ShelbyR]

Hi @ShelbyR, welcome to the forum!

I've been through quite some journey to be honest in the last 18 months!

The key to 'Remission' really is losing 15Kg of weight as Roy Taylor's studies show (DiRECT) and more recently ReTune - (This one is for people that aren't overweight but have built up internal (Viceral) fat, so not quite 15Kg needed

The term 'Diet' can be very misleading generally - For example, you could say I'm on a 'Diet' now but it's a sustainable diet which isn't restricting, so therefore I can't 'fall off the wagon' so to speak! - I'm not calling it a 'Diet' - it's more of a lifestyle...

Like others have said, there is no quick fix here - it's a life change, so losing weight is only one part of the story - for me, the soup / shake thing was the quickest and easiest part, the hardest part was looking at my everyday life and how to fit the right foods into it without either gaining weight back or grabbing unhealthy foods - it took a lot of learning about what food is, what it does to your body, why certain foods spike blood glucose and how to manage it - the list for me goes on and on!

For sure though, losing the weight quickly initially through shakes, then 're-learning' everythng about food and fitting that in around my lifestyle over many months has made food 'automatic' in many ways, but I still make those decicions about what to eat when all the time - some days are easier than others, but as time goes on it gets easier and easier....

My weight is stable at 57Kg - 58Kg - which I'm happy with - I of course have those 'special occasions' or holiday modes, but I still weigh myself once a week, which I feel just keeps me in check 😉

Which ever jouney you choose, is up to you, but losing wieght quickly is the key initially...

In terms of emotional eating, yep - I've had some weird things crop up, which have been tied to emotions - I've purposfully looked at those times to reflect on 'why did I do that' and reflected and learned how to change my thinking - a lot of this jouney for me has been 'recflection' - I do it a lot, and for me has helped no end to learn and move on - we all have our habits - good or bad, and it's more about learning to change those habits than feeling guilty about things - for instance - I used to walk to the fridge out of boredom, eat something just because - my thinking now is to go for a walk instead! - It works too!

Hope I've helped in some way, let us know how you get on!

PS - I have my HbA1C next week (6 months on) , so I'll post an update once I get the results back 😉

Thanks for your response.. it's a constant reinstatement of the 'It's not a quick fix' mantra.
And yes, thats great advice actually - being reflective about why I respond in a certain way to food... and what my 'triggers' are... and finding an alternative - thank you.
I think I was 57kg last when I was 10 years old! hah.
As a 'fat activist' in the sense that I believe there are fat healthy & unhealthy people, and thin healthy & unhealthy people - but people don't discriminate against the thin unhealthy people at all in the same way - in fact it's often celebrated to be thin and unhealthy - I also find this a bit of a minefield. It's making be reflect on a lot of stuff.
Anyway. Thank you for your response and time. And yes, look forward to the next update! x

 

[Leadinglights]

Thank you for this.. yes, it's the 'enjoyable / sustainable / impactful' Bermuda Triangle.. I have this inbuilt phrase - of 'but I eat really healthily already' which is true - some/ of the time/every now and again.. I mean I own Tahini and seeds, I love kale and am addicted to slaw, that's all I need right! 😉 ..... and the other times I'm like a toddler in a candy/chip/kebab shop/michelin restaurant/cocktail bar (ok maybe not a toddler in those last few.. 😉... Like you say - the biggest shift for me is to think of the shift being 'a lifestyle change' a forever thing, as opposed to a 'I'll do this for 3 months' as I have given up sugar and carbs before plenty of times, and still my numbers are rising. I was on a Physical theatre course at the beginning of this year for 3 months - dance classes/yoga/movement up to 5 hours a day...not eating rice or sugar or alcohol... and still my numbers are what they are. I am not good at consistency or moderation... (in anything!!) and have a weirdly successful life with being proud of this.. so there are now big changes to be made. (Saying no to free booze at conferences??! Not eating the free food?! The pasty/sausage roll in the car on the way to..anywhere.....no to sugary cocktails....ugh!!)
This is going to be hard.
My doctor has prescribed me Metformin. Which I'm going to start in the next few weeks..
Anyway. Thanks for your response. I'll look into the website. Altho the thought of shakes fills me with 80's dread..
x

Me too, the link I posted was based on REAL food.

 

[Deleted member 21371]

Thank you for this.. yes, it's the 'enjoyable / sustainable / impactful' Bermuda Triangle.. I have this inbuilt phrase - of 'but I eat really healthily already' which is true - some/ of the time/every now and again.. I mean I own Tahini and seeds, I love kale and am addicted to slaw, that's all I need right! 😉 ..... and the other times I'm like a toddler in a candy/chip/kebab shop/michelin restaurant/cocktail bar (ok maybe not a toddler in those last few.. 😉... Like you say - the biggest shift for me is to think of the shift being 'a lifestyle change' a forever thing, as opposed to a 'I'll do this for 3 months' as I have given up sugar and carbs before plenty of times, and still my numbers are rising. I was on a Physical theatre course at the beginning of this year for 3 months - dance classes/yoga/movement up to 5 hours a day...not eating rice or sugar or alcohol... and still my numbers are what they are. I am not good at consistency or moderation... (in anything!!) and have a weirdly successful life with being proud of this.. so there are now big changes to be made. (Saying no to free booze at conferences??! Not eating the free food?! The pasty/sausage roll in the car on the way to..anywhere.....no to sugary cocktails....ugh!!)
This is going to be hard.
My doctor has prescribed me Metformin. Which I'm going to start in the next few weeks..
Anyway. Thanks for your response. I'll look into the website. Altho the thought of shakes fills me with 80's dread..
x

Got to be a Gregg's Steak Bake for me.
(Although I believe some people take cold boiled eggs with them instead, as a replacement)

 

[Kreator]

Just a short update...

HbA1C Nov 2022 - 38!

I'll take that given in the last few weeks I've moved house! (Stressful times, but joyful at the same time...would have to be at a time my HbA1C is due wouldn't it?!)

It's only when you move you ralise how much junk you've accumulated!

Cholesterol results expected soon - not so confident about those, but Statins I suppose will be a small price to pay...still in Remission which is the main aim here... 😉

 

[Kreator]

Cholesterol results expected soon - not so confident about those, but Statins I suppose will be a small price to pay...still in Remission which is the main aim here... 😉

Cholesterol results are in....

I'm a little surprised but...

Serum cholesterol level - 4.4 mmol/L
Serum HDL cholesterol level - 1.40 mmol/L
Serum triglyceride - 1.1 mmol/L
Serum LDL cholesterol level - 2.5 mmol/L
Serum non high density lipoprotein cholesterol level - 3.0 mmol/L

Serum cholesterol/HDL ratio - 3.1

Over the moon with this result - especially Triglycerides - 6 months ago it was 2.0 mmol/L - I didn't fast before test and had breakfast an hour and a half before bloods taken - I did then go for a short walk after breakfast but wasn't expecting this result!

This means for me, no Statins for the timebeing!


I think this also shows me that I'm still doing the right things and to keep on as I am, couldn't be happier to be honest! 😉

 

[Deleted member 21371]

Cholesterol results are in....

I'm a little surprised but...

Serum cholesterol level - 4.4 mmol/L
Serum HDL cholesterol level - 1.40 mmol/L
Serum triglyceride - 1.1 mmol/L
Serum LDL cholesterol level - 2.5 mmol/L
Serum non high density lipoprotein cholesterol level - 3.0 mmol/L

Serum cholesterol/HDL ratio - 3.1

Over the moon with this result - especially Triglycerides - 6 months ago it was 2.0 mmol/L - I didn't fast before test and had breakfast an hour and a half before bloods taken - I did then go for a short walk after breakfast but wasn't expecting this result!

This means for me, no Statins for the timebeing!


I think this also shows me that I'm still doing the right things and to keep on as I am, couldn't be happier to be honest! 😉

What sort of diet are you on now?