I suspect Insulin Resistance but no Doctor

JMarigold

I suspect I may be insulin resistant due to symptoms and past and current reactions so weight loss attempts. I don't really know that much about it though. Also, I can't afford to go to the doctor and have any tests done unless its a real emergency.

I'd like some advice on how to better tell if this might be one of my problems.

Also advice on how to deal with it if it is one of my problems. I know carbs and sugar are something to watch but I really only have vague ideas about how and in what way.

I haven't really been losing weight. The 3 pounds is over the last 2 months and I suspect was water weight since I continue to fluctuate back to 200 so . . . I've been working on reducing my calorie intake but I'm afraid I'll sabotage my future ability to maintain if I set my calories to 1200 now. Just frustrated.

RonSwanson66

What symptoms are you referring to?

JMarigold

Just the general ones listed along with Insulin Resistance . . . of course they are the symptoms of tons of things so it makes it hard to know!

Fatigue/Lethargy
Tiredness after eating
Depression
Bloating
Stubborn weight
Fogginess/Clouded thinking

Pebble321

I agree that cutting calories dramatically is not a good idea. As you aren't quite sure what is going on, why not try a moderate approach and see how that goes? I'd suggest set up your goals for 1/2 pound weight loss a week, and really commit to sticking to that. Dropping too low is just setting your self up to fail and most of us have done that before.

To start with just use the standard MFP macros and if you can stick to the calories, eat mostly healthy stuff, fit in a bit of exercise and log accurately for a month then you have a good baseline to work with.
If nothing changes in a month then you can try different things - adjust your macros, change your exercise etc.

R_is_for_Rachel

I would suggest getting hold of a low GI cook book and try that out.

carlaunderconstruction

You said you are not able to go see a doctor, but are you able to go directly to a lab to pay to have your fasting blood sugar checked? This might help to shed some light on things, and make you feel much better if your fasting blood sugar is in the normal range. I am a huge believer in an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.