I just saw on mapquest that we are only 5 hours from each other. YOu drive 2.5 south....I drive 2.5 north and we meet in the middle...only problem....it is smack dab in the middle of Nowhere Upstate NY Adirondack mountains.
Maybe Utica or Syracuse or the Turning Stone Casino in Verona, NY? Or Geneva, NY for wine country? It is a 4.5 hour drive for you and a 3.5 hour drive for me. I love wine country out there....really fun....and yummy
Oh, I would love this! I LOVE Turning Stone! We could do the wine tour. We need to plan something. Especially with school ending the last week in June!!!
The Forgotten Blood Sugar Disorder: Hypoglycemia
by Dr. Keith Berkowitz, M.D.
Medical Director for The Center For Balanced Health
According to the American Diabetes Association, 21 million Americans have diabetes and another 54 million American are at risk with pre-diabetes or elevated blood glucose.
Because of this, our attention has been concentrated on treating high blood glucose while largely ignoring other blood sugar disorders. Poor eating habits, the addition of unhealthy ingredients, increased stress and poor sleeping habits has led to the increased incidence of this underappreciated blood sugar disorder: hypoglycemia.
Hypoglycemia has been traditionally defined as a low blood glucose level (serum levels less than 70 mg/dl either taken fasting, randomly or after a glucose challenge). Unfortunately, most individuals I see in my practice do not present with these results but instead present with normal blood glucose levels, the ability to lose some weight but not the last 10 to 20 pounds or unexplained low energy levels.
One reason for this is that most individuals only have fasting blood glucose or an HgbA1c taken by their health professional. An HgbA1c level represents the average amount of glucose in the blood over a three month period. A level of 4.0% is equal to an average blood glucose level of 60 mg/dl while a level of 5.0% is equal to a blood glucose level of 90 mg/dl. HgbA1c levels between 4.8% and 5.9% are considered normal. Levels below 4.8% are usually consistent with hypoglycemia.
Individuals with hypoglycemia can often have symptoms that include: headaches, increased irritability, difficulty concentrating, palpitations, light-headedness, fatigue, anxiety, excessive sweating or urination, leg cramps, dizziness and clamminess. Other symptoms can be related to eating. Patients I see with this diagnosis often feel more tired after meals, feel “sick” when they either miss a meal or if a meal is delayed.
So, if you have significantly reduced calories or carbohydrates, are you still unable to lose weight? Are you unable to lose that last 20 pounds no matter what you try? Eating a low carbohydrate diet but still hungry and/or tired after meals? I just may have a solution for you.
Traditionally treatment for hypoglycemia has been to give sugar. Unfortunately, this treatment only provides temporary relief and in very sensitive individuals causes an even greater reaction thirty minutes to two hours later. Although, a strict low carbohydrate diet is helpful, it does not always solve the problem by itself.
In my practice, Center for Balanced Health, I see individuals with such pronounced hypoglycemia that their blood sugar drops almost immediately after a glucose challenge. It’s the equivalent of filling an automobile with gas only to find that the gas tank has a very large leak.
At the Center for Balanced Health, we help patients manage their hypoglycemia by telling them to:
- Eat five to six small meals a day about every three hours. Think of yourself as a fuel-efficient automobile. You want constant flow of energy (glucose) throughout the day.
- Avoid meals that are too small or too large especially at night. Meals that are too small will not provide enough energy to get you through the day. Meals that are too large place a larger burden on your metabolic system to process these nutrients and thus can trigger a hypoglycemic reaction.
- DON'T skip meals especially breakfast. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day because it sets the tone.
- Balanced eating. Always have some protein and fat at each meal or snack. Avoid and limit foods high in sugar or other refined carbohydrates especially on a empty stomach. Still utilize a controlled carbohydrate approach and get your carbohydrates from foods high in fiber (dark green leafy vegetables, non starchy vegetables, avocado, high fiber low carbohydrate crackers as examples)
- Get a good night’s sleep. Good sleep helps replenish your system so that your body works more efficiently.
- Use of a fiber supplement (make sure you take with enough water) or eating a high fiber food (without refined carbohydrates or sugar) before meals or snacks can help slow the absorption of carbohydrates and thus prevent rapid declines in blood sugar.
- Exercise regularly. Strength training can improve glucose metabolism
- Avoid alcohol, caffeine, tobacco use
- Avoid the use of stimulants
If you suspect hypoglycemia, the best diagnostic test is a glucose tolerance test with insulin levels and an HgbA1c. I usually do this test in my office because a glucose challenge can sometimes precipitate symptoms of low blood sugar.
Hey all! It's been a while since I posted - I've just been creeping on the boards lately! I am back on protocol as of mid April and I am down to 136lbs! 1 more pound and I will be at a 50lb loss! I love this program. I have vowed that this is the last time I will attempt this diet (until after I have kids etc) to lose this last little bit of weight. I had been bouncing between 140 and 150 since January and I am soooo glad to be out of the 140s! It is good to see some old faces here You are all doing fabulously!! 11 more pounds to go!!!!
Good morning! I really don't like lettuce, I never have...so I don't eat it....my coach says I should but also said it isn't mandatory. So far I haven't had any constipation (knock on wood)! I do love spinach and other greens though.
My coach, who is also my sister, re-worked the meal plan to fit my schedule. I work 10 hour days and am up driving to work at 6:20 am and driving home at 5:30 pm. So, she told me to have my snack in the morning on my way to work, so I usually have a drink while driving. Then when I get to work I will have coffee, then a bit later breakfast. I am allowed to split up my daily restricted item as well.
This is what a typical work day look like for me.
6:20am - IP Drink
8:30am - IP Cereal or Pudding
11am - 1/2 restricted item - IP Bar or Puffs
1:30pm - 2 cups of veggies
4pm - 1/2 restricted item
7:30pm - Supper
We own a store also and when I get home I usually stop there to see my husband and then head home to make supper. I try not to eat after 8pm, which is why I have my snack in the am, but sometimes it's just not possible not too.
I am fairly new to this site and to IP, but so far I am not having too much problem staying on it....some days are more difficult than others. I not hungry either, but it doesn't stop me from wanting to eat the foods that I used to eat.
Yesterday I was very very bloated, I could just feel the gas building up in my stomach and I was sick almost all day....that never happened to me before, does anyone have an idea why it did? I wasn't constipated either.
You have done so well and have learned so much about making lifelong changes....congrats. Let's make a committment to be on plan 100% for the next 10 pounds...we will both feel so much better! I too am very excited about buying summer clothes. We should meet in the middle for a shopping spree...if you drive 5 hours east and I drive 5 hours west?
So I walked out this morning with my new size 8 trousers and size medium button up shirt and my hubby said you look very sophisticated, but your clothes are hanging on you! WHAT....NO WAY....this can't be me
After 20 years of hating the way I look, NO WAY
thks for you kind words I have been lurking here more than posting especially with the up and down of 5 lbs or so... i have a 'lobster night' at the Warrant Officer's Mess on May 20th. So I will aim for 100% from today to then.....
I just saw on mapquest that we are only 5 hours from each other. YOu drive 2.5 south....I drive 2.5 north and we meet in the middle...only problem....it is smack dab in the middle of Nowhere Upstate NY Adirondack mountains.
Maybe Utica or Syracuse or the Turning Stone Casino in Verona, NY? Or Geneva, NY for wine country? It is a 4.5 hour drive for you and a 3.5 hour drive for me. I love wine country out there....really fun....and yummy
awesome!!!!!!!!!! you crazy lady you! my BF loves wine as well...how about your hubby?
Well an unofficial weigh in for me. I am off to Vegas tomorrow to see the bf so have to miss my official WI on Friday. Down -6lb I'll take it since I was up last week.
3 lbs shy of the 100's I can not wait for that day to happen.
Will not be checking in until Tuesday of next week. Best of luck to all weigh in's and NSV's for the next 5 days.
For all of you that may see my posts and think "wow, she just can't keep it together." I want to encourage you. The Maintenance program for IP works! If you follow it I have been on Maintenance since last June and am pleased to report that the most I've gained on this Phase is 7 lbs. And this was when I at whatever I wanted! At that point I freak out and go back to Phase 1 to get those 7 lbs off again. I have high aspirations to get down to 150, but that hasn't happened as of yet.
So I am sitting at my desk drinking my 2nd water bottle for the day and quite hungry, but I am the boss of this body and will not let it rule me!!
So 150, here I come!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
I am glad you are here, for the new ones that ask if you gain weight back aftert phase 3 and are on maintenance, you are an inspiration to us all. Thank you for your information and your posts.
Well an unofficial weigh in for me. I am off to Vegas tomorrow to see the bf so have to miss my official WI on Friday. Down -6lb I'll take it since I was up last week.
3 lbs shy of the 100's I can not wait for that day to happen.
Will not be checking in until Tuesday of next week. Best of luck to all weigh in's and NSV's for the next 5 days.
Have a great time with your BF, we will talk to you next week.
I'm also struggling to get 100% back OP. I've done alright, not cheating, just not doing things exactly right either. I woke up Monday with a slight cold that has developed into a full blown sickness and when I feel sorry for myself I tend to want to eat treats. Trying to resist and enjoy my tea. *sigh*
Hope everyone else is feeling good! Congrats to everyone who's had victories today!
Oh, I would love this! I LOVE Turning Stone! We could do the wine tour. We need to plan something. Especially with school ending the last week in June!!!
Quote:
Originally Posted by LOSINGFORGOOD2010
awesome!!!!!!!!!! you crazy lady you! my BF loves wine as well...how about your hubby?
Love you r new pic!
Yup he loves wine we always go out that way together.
Last week in JUne...VEGAS baby! from the 28th to July 7th!
But maybe later in the summer or Turning Stone anytime
Yesterday evening marked 3 perfect phase 1 days in a row! WHEW!! SO, hopefully by tomorrow, I will be seeing ketosis in action. (It always takes me 5 days. I hold a TON of glucose or glycogen or somethin'!) I am truly hoping for an amazing Monday weigh in.
What I did notice, early this morning that got me up... A HEADACHE! UGGH... I hate when I get that first headache. And, my lips are feeling parched.
I had plenty of water, it is just how my body starts into ketosis.
So, I am up at 2am having another glass of water, and I pray a bit of relief.
I also hope getting through today will be the last little push to be on a nice phase 1 ride.
I don't have any plans for anything off protocol. I do have a birthday, farewell party, and some vacations planned (Virginia, Alsaska, and Seattle) during the next 4 or 5 months. I don't see a reason that I can't do that and stay on plan. I did it while on phase 1 the first time round and in most cases I will be in a home with kitchen access... very easy!
I am hoping to average 3 pounds a week for about 5 or 5.5 months. Hopefully, that will be what it takes but, I am in this til I am done whether it is 1 pounds a week or 3!
Thank you for everyone who has been so supportive and for all the wonderful welcome backs. I am very happy to be a part of this group and look forward to reaching the end of this road with you all!
Glad your back showgirl! and with a vegence too! I love your posts, I am always learning and makes me go ooooOOOooo thats why lol
So day two of phase two. I have to say I love phase two. The extra protien at lunch makes it so I am not crazy hungry by the time dinner rolls around. I am still loosing weight like I am on phase 1. I still don't understand what phase two is supposed to accomplish. Seems I am getting even less carbs as most of the carbs come from the packets right?
The purpose of phase to is to begin a process needed for phase 3, waking the pancreas. In phase 1 the goal is to rest it by taking it down to basic production of insulin and enzymes to metabolize the foods we eat. As we add back real food it increases the production of those slowly and starts training a proper response, especially of the enzymes, so that when we add back a large meal (big breakfast) in phase 3 it isn't such a shock. It is in phase 3 we get the insulin kick because we add back the carbs.
SO, consider it a stepping stone to retraining your pancreatic productions.
You should not be getting much less carb in phase 2 especially if you are using a restricted as one of your 2 packets a day. With that it would be about the same level as phase 1.
Quote:
Originally Posted by carlasherea
Here we go to Day 1 of protocol (again)
For all of you that may see my posts and think "wow, she just can't keep it together." I want to encourage you. The Maintenance program for IP works! If you follow it I have been on Maintenance since last June and am pleased to report that the most I've gained on this Phase is 7 lbs. And this was when I at whatever I wanted! At that point I freak out and go back to Phase 1 to get those 7 lbs off again. I have high aspirations to get down to 150, but that hasn't happened as of yet.
...
WELOCOME BACK!! You are so close and I know you will get there much faster but, I am so glad to be doing this with you still!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Susie_Bee
...
As for the exercise, actually, as of next week, I will be adding two 1-hour tap dance classes per week for the next 6 weeks! I am really looking forward to this!
....
Remember, only have the spaghetti and chili a combination of 2x a week. It will slow you down faster than the others will.
Also, for that extra protein you are having, on your tap dance days, have it within 45 min of finishing the exercise session. It is very important you do this on those days.
I think you will see a nice change after next week!
Quote:
Originally Posted by juiceman11
Thank you. ....
All I got from them was, "I can't handle that many vegetables, I don't eat breakfast, I hate chocolate flavor, I hate vanilla / milk flavor, I hate vegetables. I hate salads, I only like ranch dressing....etc. One that needs to do something said her dr. told her that IP was not a good choice for her since she has thryoid problems. That is a complete contradiction from when i told her to ask her dr about it.
Whatever, this is not for everyone. I guess they hate all those things more than they hate being unhealthy.
I tried. If I could start my own clinic, I would. Ours here in town is terrible and they people know nothing.
Sad to hear but, everyone has to have enough need and be ready. For some that need is only 15 or 20 pounds. Unfortunately, some of us, don't feel ready until we are much larger! (I was that person. )
As for thyroid issues, this diet actually IMPROVED my thyroid problem. I went from newly hypothyroid to normal in a period of 7 months and I hadn't been normal in 20 years! SO, I know personally that for some people this is exactly what they need to help the thyroid.
I still think you deserve a pat on the back for trying.
BTW, why don't you start your own clinic? All you need is the support of a DR or RN. PM me if you want some more details about that.
Hi Everyone,
WI #2 for me yesterday, down 3.8 pounds and 2 inches!!! My boyfriend was down 7!! Lucky man! I love reading everyones success stories!! You all keep me motivated! =) THANK YOU!
You are all doing fabulously!! 11 more pounds to go!!!!
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