[breezeonby]

It is time for me to get on a serious plan to loose weight. I do best when I follow something that has structure. I have had success with Weight Watchers but I have never been able to maintain my weight on that plan. I also need something that is flexible and does allow some carbs. Anyone had success on Atkins or Slim Fast? I want to loose at least 1 pound per week. My start date will be August 1.

 

[Diana]

It is time for me to get on a serious plan to loose weight. I do best when I follow something that has structure. I have had success with Weight Watchers but I have never been able to maintain my weight on that plan. I also need something that is flexible and does allow some carbs. Anyone had success on Atkins or Slim Fast? I want to loose at least 1 pound per week. My start date will be August 1.

The only reason I've been able to cut out all the simple carbs is because I had done Atkins about 5 years ago and lost 50 lbs. I got tired of always having to prepare food after 1 1/2 yrs and gradually stopped eating properly. Definitely gained it back in the last 3 years. Now enter the diabetes dx and I snapped right back on it (not the induction part, but pretty close) and with the walking and cutting out carbs I've lost 31 lbs in 4 mo.

My biggest challenge is variety and finding things that are very satisfying. I've been holding off on fixing tuna salad (which I love) because I love it on bread or crackers AND I thought I would have to make it with dill relish. That just wouldn't be the same to me. But I found sugar free sweet relish (and sweet pickles) at the store so today I made my tuna salad and made 2 tuna wraps with lettuce! OMG it was SO good!!

Basically I've got 2 or 3 different choices for each meal and then my snacky things for inbetween and so far it's not bad. The weight loss and the renewed energy is motivation to keep me at it. I don't know if you wanted more of an organized plan or just some meal suggestions, so just let me know and I'll tell you what I eat.

 

[breezeonby]

Are you allowed to have any carbs on the Atkins diet? I used to work for someone who followed that diet and they lost 80 pounds in 6 months, but I know that he ate alot of meat and cheese. I have heard that it is hard to resume normal eating after being on the diet. Since I am not much for fruits and veggies, my diet consists of mostly meat, cheese, eggs and most of my carbs come from bread, crackers and sugar free ice cream and sugar free pudding. I am really familiar with Weight Watchers and it is a very easy way to diet. I like the fact that you can buy frozen meals prepared with the points already figured out for you and they do allow carbs but they also want you to get some fruits and veggies. I never really learned to eat in a way for a weight loss program to be 100% successful. For me, I need to learn how to eat in a new way and it needs to become part of my life instead of a step in the road. I have never tried to loose weight while taking insulin, but I have read that it is difficult. I also take 2 other medications that cause weight gain and I am sure that this weight loss attempt will be a difficult one, but it is time for me to loose the weight that I gained when I started taking insulin on a daily basis.

 

[Diana]

Are you allowed to have any carbs on the Atkins diet? I used to work for someone who followed that diet and they lost 80 pounds in 6 months, but I know that he ate alot of meat and cheese. I have heard that it is hard to resume normal eating after being on the diet. Since I am not much for fruits and veggies, my diet consists of mostly meat, cheese, eggs and most of my carbs come from bread, crackers and sugar free ice cream and sugar free pudding. I am really familiar with Weight Watchers and it is a very easy way to diet. I like the fact that you can buy frozen meals prepared with the points already figured out for you and they do allow carbs but they also want you to get some fruits and veggies. I never really learned to eat in a way for a weight loss program to be 100% successful. For me, I need to learn how to eat in a new way and it needs to become part of my life instead of a step in the road. I have never tried to loose weight while taking insulin, but I have read that it is difficult. I also take 2 other medications that cause weight gain and I am sure that this weight loss attempt will be a difficult one, but it is time for me to loose the weight that I gained when I started taking insulin on a daily basis.

Yes, you are allowed carbs....I think it's been modified since I was on it. Or another middle of the road plan would be the South Beach diet. The main thing is just not eating the simple carbs....I don't eat any bread or crackers... well, I eat a few slices of organic flaxseed bread a couple of times a week and I found some sesame crackers that I have sometimes with cheese. Listen, here's where I go to get expert advice on low carb and diabetes: Diabetes - Low Carb Friends I think you'll like it too.

 

[breezeonby]

Yes, you are allowed carbs....I think it's been modified since I was on it. Or another middle of the road plan would be the South Beach diet. The main thing is just not eating the simple carbs....I don't eat any bread or crackers... well, I eat a few slices of organic flaxseed bread a couple of times a week and I found some sesame crackers that I have sometimes with cheese. Listen, here's where I go to get expert advice on low carb and diabetes: Diabetes - Low Carb Friends I think you'll like it too.

Thank you for the link, I will be sure to check it out!

 

[breezeonby]

Can't Loose Weight Because I have T2 Diabetes?

I joined a weight loss forum and I had someone tell me that people with T2 diabetes can't loose weight. Hmm...never heard that.

 

[tammypg]

Have you tried just watching your portions and drinking a glass of water before your meal?

Maybe make a list of low carb foods that you LOVE and include these in your meal in larger amounts and take it easier on the big no-no's without trying to stay away completely.

One more thing that helps me is to keep the snacks out of sight.

Tammy

 

[Diana]

I joined a weight loss forum and I had someone tell me that people with T2 diabetes can't loose weight. Hmm...never heard that.

Well, that's ridiculous!! So what are you leaning towards...what do you think will work for you? We're all so different that it's hard to find any one program that works for everyone. I used to not tell people I was on Atkins because of all the rumors and everyone gasps and says it's not healthy. Ha!!

 

[breezeonby]

Well, that's ridiculous!! So what are you leaning towards...what do you think will work for you? We're all so different that it's hard to find any one program that works for everyone. I used to not tell people I was on Atkins because of all the rumors and everyone gasps and says it's not healthy. Ha!!

I am sticking with the old faithful..Weight Watchers. I ordered their "at home" deluxe kit that explains the current program information as well as an exercise DVD and a subscription to their magazine. They make so many changes every year, and usually for the better that I would rather not use my old materials. If I decide to go to a meeting, there is one not too far from home. I am a lifetime member so I don't have to pay for missed weekly weigh-ins. The last time I followed the plan, I know that I was eating alot of fat-free food and boiled egg whites and flavored rice cakes, I think I can get used to that again. I had the program down pat and was enjoying one of their desserts every night, it gave me something to look forward to. I am going to be reading up on dieting with diabetes and see if there is any truth about people with T2 diabetes not being able to loose weight. I wish that people wouldn't make comments without the facts to back them up, but it is the internet, so go figure!

 

[Diana]

I am sticking with the old faithful..Weight Watchers. I ordered their "at home" deluxe kit that explains the current program information as well as an exercise DVD and a subscription to their magazine. They make so many changes every year, and usually for the better that I would rather not use my old materials. If I decide to go to a meeting, there is one not too far from home. I am a lifetime member so I don't have to pay for missed weekly weigh-ins. The last time I followed the plan, I know that I was eating alot of fat-free food and boiled egg whites and flavored rice cakes, I think I can get used to that again. I had the program down pat and was enjoying one of their desserts every night, it gave me something to look forward to. I am going to be reading up on dieting with diabetes and see if there is any truth about people with T2 diabetes not being able to loose weight. I wish that people wouldn't make comments without the facts to back them up, but it is the internet, so go figure!

Well, I'm just sayin'.... I'm Type 2 and have lost weight--30 lbs to be exact. I'm on the other side of the fence regarding the stuff you mentioned though. I eat full fat, the entire egg and no rice cakes. I really am rootin' for you cause I can tell you're determined!!

 

[breezeonby]

How long has it taken you to loose the 30 pounds? And, I am determined! Rice cakes and all!

 

[Diana]

How long has it taken you to loose the 30 pounds? And, I am determined! Rice cakes and all!

About 4 months. At first it was 2 lbs a week when I was eating fruits, vegetables and whole grains (cereal and bread). Once I cut back on the fruit and whole grains, I started losing 3 lbs a week. Don't forget, I was walking a mile every morning too. Then when I started Metformin I was still losing 2-3 lbs a week. Today was actually my 30 lbs milestone.

 

[Diabrarian]

I'm T2 and I've lost nearly 25 lbs in 2.5 months with the plan in my profile. It is low carb, low fat, allows for treats, and focuses primarily on water and exercise as the main sources of loss, and whole foods to prevent added sugar, chemicals, or sodium. Home cooking is emphasized and junk food can only be bought and eaten in public requiring exercise, more money spent on portions, and individual servings (no whole pizzas delivered, no buckets of ice cream bought at grocery stores).

I don't ascribe to a particular commercial diet plan or food system, or count carbs or sugar that much. Most of it has been judgment calls about what I see as I pass the shelves in the aisle, or briefly eyeballing ingredients lists.

Comparably it's rather disciplinary, but I can deal with that level of strictness.

I went from BG 27.8 at D-day to a consistent 4.3-6.2 flux today.

 

[goldengirl]

I think you have keyed in to an important factor in weight loss. Your new weight loss plan must be sustainable. It must be a different way of eating you can continue.

If Weight Watchers can do it for you, more power to you! My SIL has lost the same 40 pounds over & over & over on WW. But, I know others who have taken it off & kept it off.

Good luck - keep us posted on your progress!

 

[fgummett]

Here is my usual spiel on diet (in this case it simply means "what I eat", as opposed to a drastic short-term weight-loss change)...

Real whole food, is the order of the day... preferably local and in-season, grown/reared on nutrient rich land... grass-fed beef and pastured chickens for example. This means eat whole (unprocessed, unpackaged, unadulterated) food, which includes a natural balance of fat, protein and carbohydrates (as well as vitamins, minerals etc...) ...there really is no need to be afraid of natural fat... it's gotten a bad rap.

Those of us with Diabetes need to pay particular attention to the foods which have the most effect on our Blood Glucose (BG) levels. There are obvious things to watch out for like candy, cola, cakes and sweets (these are high in refined/concentrated carbohydrates)... next in line are the "white" foods like bread, pasta, potatoes, rice, breakfast cereal... but even something assumed to be healthy like orange juice has about as much sugar as a cola... fat reduced milk can have an higher proportion of lactose (sugar), especially in low-fat products such as yogurts which may have High Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS) added to replace the fat... and so it goes on. That does not mean you need to feel deprived or hungry to eat this way, not by any means. You may even find you can work in an occasional family cake... for example. The keyword there being "occasional" as it used to be when our Grandparents baked cakes only for Birthdays etc... not everyday (muffins, donuts, pastries) for breakfast.

You may have heard the phrase "eat to your meter" and this deceptively simple message is very wise... test around your food and figure out what works best for YOU.

Some ideas for snacks: nuts, cheese, dark chocolate (70% cocoa or higher), pork rinds/scratchings, cold meats, boiled eggs, peanut butter.

While we are encouraged to eat "so many servings of fruit and veg daily", many of these can spike our BGs so test, test test... for many of us, green leafy vegetables seem to work best... but you may also help reduce/slow the BG spike by mixing foods... for example: instead of eating an apple by itself, try just half the apple in slices with some peanut butter or cheese... or have a few berries with some cream.

I'd suggest that BG control be your primary aim... while minimising the need for insulin which is the major fat storage hormone -- reducing excess fat mass, improving cholesterol/lipids, hypertension etc... all these tend to improve with more normal BGs.

I am not big on setting unrealistic "exercise" goals... flogging yourself at the gym... unless you feel especially motivated to do so. I think you are better off with something sustainable in the long term. There are many health benefits of activity but I'm not convinced that losing weight is a major one. I do believe in building activity into your daily routine (rather than finding excuses for missing the gym)... take the stairs, park further away, get off the bus a stop earlier... go for a walk at lunchtime... take "smoke breaks" at work where you walk around the block instead. Physical activity can help with your BG numbers as it tends to lower Insulin Resistance (IR) , as well as using up glucose but as with food, it is advisable to test and see how it affects you.