Looking for other Type 1 Diabetics for insight

Lauramcelroy

Hello!

I have been a Type 1 Diabetic for 30 years. I am in excellent health. However, I have been unable to lose any weight and only maintain or gain weight. I have discovered at various times over the years that I have been under eating most of my adult life. At one point I was eating around 750 calories. I wasn't hungry and I was eating mainly vegan at that time, not on purpose, just trying to eat salads and some lean protein... A few months ago I tried Shakeology for 45 days. I replaced 2 meals a day, along with a walking program. I stayed the same weight to the ounce! Now, that I look back, I was probably back to eating under 1,000 cal per day. Something to note is that the only time I have effectively lost weight was directly after I had my children. I always lost the weight within 1 year. I am trying this because it helps with my OCD about food and is encouraging me to eat more! It hasn't been long enough to tell if eating more is going to help me with losing weight, but I haven't gained anything.

I work out three days a week for an hour, mostly cardio and some weights as I have an injured shoulder (from doing dips out of some exercise magazine!) so I can really only do leg workouts. I am 5'4" - 158 pounds. This is the heaviest I have ever been, save for my 170lbs with all three kids.

Another worthy note to my weight gain: Our family has moved to three different states in the last 10 years. I have gained approx. 7 pounds per move. With each move I could not lose the gained weight and the 2 subsequent moves stacked on to leave me where I am today.

My endocrinologist just told me that it's the insulin and there is really no way to fight it, other than what I'm doing... If you are a Type 1 with any experience I hope you will offer any knowledge you find worthy

keeponkickin

Hi.

Type 1 here for 33 years now. Zero complications and I use an insulin pump. I've lost 112 pounds in exactly one year. No surgery, no special programs, just old fashioned eating right and exercise.

You're more than welcome to add me as a buddy.

BigDaddyBRC

Hey there. I am not a diabetic, but my late wife was a Type-1.

If I may suggest a couple things...
1) go see a specialized diabetic nutritionist. This person will be able to assist you in possibly, as I don't know your diet, eating better and smarter. I know that when I took my wife, EVERY time, the nutritionist stated that she was not doing enough exercise...she was only doing cardio 2 days a week...the nutritionist stressed the need for 5 days.

2) Have you set up your settings to get your BMR? Not knowing your age, I would ballpark it around 1400 given your height and weight. Is activity level set correctly? Your activity level is KEY. You leave out ALL exercise you would do. If so, are you eating enough, often enough, AND Honestly checking your blood sugars regularly? The last part there is key, as you know.

Combined, you will be able to achieve. It wont happen over night, either.

I will state, EVERY bit of research that I did understand diabetes, and I was a medic in the Army, starts with you needing to get with dietician that specializes in diabetes. Remember that physical activity lowers blood sugar, often for long after you're done working out.


I hope this helps!

KristaTellier

My endocrinologist just told me that it's the insulin and there is really no way to fight it, other than what I'm doing...

I am no doctor, but I am *SO* glad you did not decide just to accept this as 100% truth. Good for you It sounds like it has been a really tough road for you weight-loss wise; keep at it... sometimes, just like diabetes, it takes a while to figure out what is best for your body. It seems like you could be on the right path now...

charpb

Hi Laura,
I've been doing Weight Watchers since Feb, and have switched to this (its free). I have lost over 20lbs since Feb. Also Type 1, saw many things we have in common in your post. I have found I HAD to eat to lose. Minimum, I have to eat 1200 cal/day to lose weight. Sometimes, like you say, I have to force myself to eat, but when I do, the scale is down in the morning v/ maintaining. I even did a cleanse recently, 3 days of it was liquid only. I GAINED weight, each day of the liquid phase, because it just wasn't enough calories to lose. I had to learn to eat more. It seems wrong, but it's true. Especially if you are exercising as well. Your body stays in starvation mode. It won't release any energy, but holds it. Anyway, hope that gives you some encouragement to eat at least your minimum recommended daily calories. You may also find that you have to eat some of your exercise calories as well, to lose, or that you actually lose MORE when you eat your exercise calories. I'm looking for friends on here. There is a great Type 1 Women's forum on WW, that was key to me losing with the woes and lows of Type 1, so I need to find some friends and support on here if I'm going to lose another 20.

charpb

Krista,
I've had endocrinologists (yes, plural...) tell me the same thing. I finally had enough and realized I had to take control. I had tried to lose the weight from health issues for years to no avail. I researched, took medicine/treatment changes to my Drs (I see all specialists due to my Type 1 and other), went through the "Finding the Right Dosage" phase and finally started seeing the weight come off. I'm down over 20 lbs so far, in a healthy weight range, but could stand another 10 to 20 since I am required to wear bathing suits often (live in a resort area). Looking for friends, found that's the only way I can push through, battling Type 1 issues and going the distance for these remaining lbs. Is there an actual Type 1 board??? I found these posts, just searching for Type 1.

KristaTellier

Hi charpb,

I've had endocrinologists (yes, plural...) tell me the same thing. I finally had enough and realized I had to take control.

Yay, good for you! And to have lost over 20 lbs since February... that's AWESOME!!!

Is there an actual Type 1 board??? I found these posts, just searching for Type 1.

There is a Type 1 group on MFP! Check out the following link to join/see other discussion topics:
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/groups/home/232-type-1-juvenile-diabetics

Good luck!