Location: Home of the Pirates, Steelers and Penguins
Posts: 13,421
S/C/G: 217/176/142
Height: 5'2
We filled up the other thread, so now we're starting clean with a new one. Maybe we will get some new posters to add to the conversation.
Diabetes can cause a lot of problems for those of us who are trying to lose weight. There are foods we cannot eat without a spike in blood sugar, and some are on meds that increase insulin production, and thus increase fat storage. Although our first source of information should be from our doctor or diabetes educator, I find it's always helpful to hear what is working for someone else. In most cases weight gain had a hand in causing our diagnosis, and some have found that with diet and exercise they can lose weight, and "cure" their diabetes, or get it into remission. In the end, it's all about better health and a better quality of life.
Hello all,
New pre-diabetic, 48 yr old male here.
Brief history - June 1 2016 @ 238 lbs, A1c of 5.9 and fasting sugar 99.
I cut out carbs I didn't enjoy. AKA, rice, bread, tortillas, chips, potatoes etc. Still ate sugary drinks, fruits etc. Was confused about glycemic load and glycemic index a bit but generally did OK.
July 25th 219 lbs. I started atkins 20, but ate like a bit of nut every 10 mins to keep from ketosis cos I just started a new job and didn't want to walk around smelling drunk etc. Stupid - I know but it worked OK I think.
Aug 15th - swapped nuts for pepperoni and ketosis on 17th, tasting metal.
Sept 6th still 219 lbs. Sticking to 20 gm carbs well, but for 1 mistake where an unlisted pineapple was in my entrée @ a Mexican place.
Sept 15th still 219 lbs, and I start Intermittent fast 24 hour, and start bullet proof coffee.
Sept 23 206 lbs.
Sept 30th 197 lbs.
Oct 6th 197 lbs.
My other problems like heartburn and balance issues, and sleep apnea etc etc seem to have disappeared. Need to check for insulin levels as well as A1c and fasting glucose etc.
Anyway some point in the next 6-8 months when I get to 158lbs and decide I can stay there and don't need to drop to anything less, I'd like to get out of the IF and maybe stay under 40 and then 80 gm carb but I would like a good exit strategy - a way to get to counting fat or calories instead of carbs and keep the benefits I have got.
My one and only meal is under 10 gm carbs, I can add an all meat lunch and stay @ 10, but, I would like to eat fun carbs for the other 90, AKA sugar in my tea, the sweet indian classics like Rasgolla, as well as fruits like pineapples and mangoes.
Anyway hoping to hear from pre-diabetics who atkins themselves out of it, and if they got out of the pre-diabetic state and what not.
Today has been hectic. Went to get driver's license changed and we need birth certificates to get them or at least I do. Came home to look for them and DH has lost his. Mine is there, both his kids and his 1st wife's, but not his. Crazy isn't it? So we will have to send for his.
We meet our new primary doctor tomorrow. Our new doc is a woman. I've never had a woman doctor before. She is young, but then I think at my age all of them are young. LOL I hope we will have as good a relationship with her as we did with our previous doctor.
DH got my recumbent bike set up for me and I did 2 miles on it today. It really felt good to be riding it again. I wanted to do another mile tonight, but got busy cleaning and looking for DH birth certificate. I was looking at my new driver's license from August and my weight was up only 1.6 lbs today. So given that I haven't been exercising or eating OP, I think that isn't as bad as it could be.
srinath_69 Welcome. Looks like you are doing very well.
Carol Sue I hope everything is going good for you too.
Morning everyone,,,nice clean pages to start anew.
Weight is dropping again...still up from lowest but feeling more energetic again...been walking more to.
Eliminated bread, and potatoes agin,,,feel so much better when I do and weight comes off more easily.
Challenging weekend coming up..lots of eating out but I have a plan..
Welcome Srinath,,,,looks like what you are doing is working. Keep up the good work. I also do a low carb way of eating cuz it works for me. Haven't gotten out of the prediabetic stage though but over a year ago I was in the diabetic stage so it's working.
Trish looks like your settling in nicely. I have a woman dr for the first time as well....I'm more comfortable with her.
Ok have a good weekend everyone!
I didn't even know I could have this sorta determination. I think I partially used to mindlessly eat. Now that the cravings are all gone, I see starchy food for what it is. Tasteless food that's horrible for you. It takes a truly good dessert to get me to cave. Like for example, pistachio cheese cake @ my company's get together. Only bad element in it was sugar. I ate a bit, not enough to get me past 20 gm for the day most likely, but I can imagine eating more of those and getting off my diet. Hopefully in the next 6 months those options wont be that easily available and I'll get to my target weight and it would be OK after that.
I think we should separate the useless carbs from pleasure carbs. Would you rather have that slice of bread or 2 beers. That is the real equation.
Location: Home of the Pirates, Steelers and Penguins
Posts: 13,421
S/C/G: 217/176/142
Height: 5'2
Welcome Srinath. It sound like you are definately on the right track. I think if you successfully get down to 158 your blood sugar should normal out. You would probably not need to continue counting carbs. By that time you should be able to eat small amounts of carb and automatically sense how much is OK. It will become second nature to you.
Trish, that's terrible that DH can't find his birth certificate. Funny how those things seem to get misplaced. You get it out for something then you forget to put it back where it belongs. I hope it doesn't take too long to get a replacement. I know you want to get all this taken care of and get on with your lives. I think the last time we needed our was when we signed up for Social Security. I will have to look in our box and make sure ours are still in there.
Good to see you here p.a. Sounds like you are getting back on track. I have been off track for a while and I'm up a few pounds. It makes me angry, but I put the food in my mouth. Have to get back off the carbs. They are sneaky little buggers! LOL
p.a. We really like our new doctor. We spent a lot of time with her and we discussed with her what we were concerned about. I know this was our first visit but so far she is great.
I put on the forms I filled out that I was allergic to Metformin. Then I explained to the doc when she inquired about it that it was because of the potty problems and that it literally kept me home bound and I wasn't willing to live like that. I shared with her that the doc I had in SC would not give me anything else because he said I would gain weight. I also told her that it takes all I can do not to gain weight, but that as I had looked over my previous records that I realized that my weight is edging up and it is really too high for me since we have been busy with the moving and eating out so much. I told her that we were at the point now where I am getting back to exercising and cooking at home so that we can eat more healthy.
She said that my option was for her to check my A1c and see where it was and she could give me medication to help lower the glucose and the weight. We discussed Trulicity and Victoza shots since I can't take what my sister and DH take because of my tendency toward yeast infections and she explained to me that the risks of the side effects that I was concerned about with the shots were only about 1%, but that I could wait 2 months and see where I am then and make that decision then. Dec 14 will be time for our 3 month blood work and doctor's appt.
She was so informative and patient. I felt very comfortable with her, so I asked her what she would do if it were her. She said she would wait, get back OP and exercise and see where I am in 2 months and decide then. So that is what I'm doing. I told her about how I had always taken care of it in the past with Atkins and just never could get back on because I just can't eat so much meat. She told me that she would rather me do a low carb plan, but not an Atkins low carb. She said Atkins is good to do if you had cardiac problems. She said "It is okay for you to do a low carb plan, but you don't have to cut them back so far". I am going to go back to using MFP for counting calories/carbs.
She explained to me that as long as the A1c is under 7 without medicine that they consider that the patient is controlling the diabetes and they seem to consider DH A1c in the 7s as control since he is on meds. However, I think she may change his meds up next time as she said that he is on a low dose of Metformin and that she could increase that. Per her advice, he also chose to wait until our 3 months check up in December to get blood work and see how he is doing since we are getting back OP and exercising. She does want DH to take the Provostatin and the Fenofibrate for the time being. She told him the achy muscles he has a lot of the time is probably from the statins, however, she said that the statin will bring down the cholesterol and the Fenofibrate will lower the triglycerides. She says when he gets the triglycerides down that he can probably stop the Fenofibrate.
She told us that they have a different rule for using these meds for diabetics because of what they think it does to protect us from strokes and heart attaches etc.
Several years ago a nurse friend of ours at church told how she was teaching a nursing class how to check their carotid artery. As she put her stethoscope to her neck she knew from the sound that she had better get upstairs to surgery right away. Every since then, I've had my doctor check mine. As the new doctor was listening to my heart and checking my thyroid, I told her that and asked her to listen to mine. She checked it and told me that mine was fine. She automatically checked DH too. I told her that I was more interested in Prevention and she agreed that she is too. I was also amazed to learn than the Lisinipril I take for blood pressure also protects my kidneys.
We loved how she took the time to explain to us why they treat diabetes the way they do with the meds we take. I think we have found a very good doctor.
Sorry this has been so long. Have a nice weekend.
Last edited by pattygirl63; 10-15-2016 at 08:05 PM.
Location: Home of the Pirates, Steelers and Penguins
Posts: 13,421
S/C/G: 217/176/142
Height: 5'2
Trish, I am so glad you found a good doctor! I have heard that low carb will drop triglycerides like a rock, and I believe it. Before I had my surgery that messed me all up I was eating relatively low carb and exercising regularly and my triglycerides went from 253-135. Now that I'm not doing so well I'm back up in the 200s. I also take fenofibric acid, but the price went way up so I did not reorder it. I go to the cardiologist in December and will talk to him about what else I can take. Maybe if I get back to exercising like I should and cutting carbs it might come down again and I might not need it. I know I sound like a broken record, LOL but one of these days I'm going to do what I say I will do. And that day just might be tomorrow!
It seems that now I'm reading that they are saying don't eat high protein, but eat moderate protein and high fat. They can't make up their minds. I don't want to do an excess of one thing.
From what you told me about your recent A1c you might not need meds for your diabetes. That would be great. I am trying so hard to get off mine. I am still not taking the morning Metformin, but still taking 2 at bedtime and relying on Glimiperide when I need it. That's the nasty one!! I am having occasional issues but can't pin point what's causing it. It might be fat. I had issues one day after eating a rotisserie chicken that seems really greasy, so I thought it was chicken. Then I had issues today, but didn't have chicken, but did have some eggs that DH fried in butter, and some sausage. So, fat there. I usually use cooking spray when I cook my eggs. DH always uses butter, and lots of it. I am going to start tracking for a while and see if my fat is too high. Other than that, I have no idea what could be causing it.
Hi p.a. and srinath!
Last edited by Wannabehealthy; 10-16-2016 at 09:29 PM.
Just checking in to say hello. I'm so busy these days. Still trying to get everything done for life to move on as well get boxes unpacked and meeting DD and DS for breakfast. DS went to the doctor Monday and Daddy road with her so they could come here for breakfast after. I made a really good lowfat egg casserole. My sister said it was more like a crustless quiche. We met for breakfast today at Whataburger.
DH loves creamed chipped beef by Stoffers, but no one sales it here so I'm going to try making it from scratch. I learned from Daddy that it is what the military calls SOS and he likes it but hasn't eat it since he was in WWII. I told him I am going to try making it for us and if it comes out okay that I will make it and have him over to eat it. He is hungry for a beef roast so I plan to get one Friday and cook for him, my sister and her hubby Saturday.
p.a. I agree that my new doctor is a keeper.
Carol Sue I still don't understand how diabetes works. When my weight goes down the BS goes up and vice versa. It is a real mystery.
Morning everyone
I had a huge wake up call this week,,,I started getting injections in my eye(s). They are starting with my left since it's the worse one,,,the opthamalagist thinks my diabetes is getting worse. I did have blood work a month ago and my A1C was 6.3.... by Canadian standards that's still pre-diabetic stage. But I know this summer I ate more carbs then I have in a year. This came on pretty fast to so I'm thinking the two are related. So I'm back to low carb,,,,and testing testing testing. I slacked off on that to thinking I knew how I reacted to foods,,,,yesterday I couldn't get my bs under 8.1 :/
That's not good!!! And I ate lower carb. I know the culprits,,,,a tiny tangerine orange and a few triscuits. So back to the drawing board with eating again and getting even lower on carb count.
It's really bothering me, I also have no insurance and each injection is 1800.00.... the Drs office has guided me to a government program that may be able to help me so I'm hoping.
Very stressful...
Location: Home of the Pirates, Steelers and Penguins
Posts: 13,421
S/C/G: 217/176/142
Height: 5'2
Oh, p.a. that's terrible to have to get those injections and not to have insurance to cover them!! I hope the government program can help. That really scares me and I haven't been to an eye doctor in years. I keep putting it off. I am going to have to look to see what 8.1 equals here in the US because I know I still get some very high blood sugar readings sometimes. It's my own fault. I don't eat right, and I don't want to take that glimiperide. I might be right behind you with the injections. Were you having trouble with your sight?
Oh my. I just checked the chart and 8.1 equals in the 140s here in the US. I get reading in the 200s sometimes!! Yikes!! Are you exercising? I know that this week my blood sugar was in the 200s. I walked on my treadmill and used my exercise bike and it came down to the 140s, without meds.
Glad to hear you are enjoying the time with your family, Trish. I have never made that creamed chipped beef, nor have I ever eaten it, but I've heard of it and also heard of SOS. LOL
Last edited by Wannabehealthy; 10-21-2016 at 09:30 PM.
Location: Home of the Pirates, Steelers and Penguins
Posts: 13,421
S/C/G: 217/176/142
Height: 5'2
Trish, I found these 2 recipes online that look pretty good, using the dried beef that comes in a jar. I saved them as I might try making this myself! Funny, but I just noticed that they are very similar, but one calls for twice as much meat!
Creamed Chipped Beef
2 (2.25-ounce) jars sliced dried beef, cut into 1/2-inch strips
3 tablespoons butter
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
2 cups milk
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
4 slices white bread, toasted and cut in half diagonally
What To Do:
Place beef in a medium bowl and add enough warm water to cover. Soak 2 minutes; drain.
In a medium skillet over medium heat, melt butter; add flour, onion powder, salt, and pepper and cook 1 minute, stirring constantly. Add milk and Worcestershire sauce; mix well.
Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, and stir in beef. Cook 2 to 3 minutes, or until sauce is thickened, stirring constantly.
Spoon an equal amount of beef mixture over each piece of toast. Serve immediately.
In medium saucepan, melt butter. Blend in flour and pepper. Stir in milk. Cook over medium heat until mixture boils and thickens, stirring constantly. Reduce heat. Tear beef into shreds; add to cream sauce and heat through. Serve over toast points or mashed potatoes.
Serving Size: 4
Last edited by Wannabehealthy; 10-21-2016 at 10:12 PM.
Location: Home of the Pirates, Steelers and Penguins
Posts: 13,421
S/C/G: 217/176/142
Height: 5'2
Trish, I was thinking about what you said about blood sugar going up when weight goes down. I remember way back when Rennie was still posting with us, that was always her complaint. The last time I did low carb that didn't happen to me. I was doing low carb, low calorie and IF. In other words, I was eating 2 small low carb meals per day in a 7-8 hour window, with absolutely no snacks. My blood sugar and weight both went down....until I fell off the wagon. Then they both went back up.
I will have to track Rennie down and see if she's still posting on the forum. She can usually be found in the daily weighers or challenges.
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