Any Diabetics Out There???

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lordyc
lordyc Posts: 5 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
Hi! I'm a Type 1 diabetic on insulin and I've tried everything to lose weight and have only lost a little. I've worked out intensely 5-6 days a week, tried about 5 different fad diets, and have resorted to trying different diet pills!!! Nothing works! I really could use some suggestions...PLEASE!
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Replies

  • tiger87lilly
    tiger87lilly Posts: 139 Member
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    I am a nurse and currently working on my masters for diabetes education. What does your typical day look like? What are your carb to units ratio? If you want send me a private message I will see if I can help. By the way I am hypoglycemic, trying to keep my panaceas from producing to much insulin so it doesn't wear out completely.
  • DrBorkBork
    DrBorkBork Posts: 4,099 Member
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    I am a T2 diabetic who just recently got off of insulin pump AND glucophage. I thank the Paleo/Primal Blueprint for that every day! However, I still struggle with very high insulin resistance. Called my doc today to see if she'll order a full blood panel for me so we can review & discuss things at my next visit, later this month.
  • jellyfishjen
    jellyfishjen Posts: 1,787 Member
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    Type 2 here. Since being on here and losing weight now have my diabeties under control and have been able to stop all medications. I eat as well as I can with the theory of good quality fuel into my body, low GI and Low HI (Human Interference). I try to eats lots of fresh vegetables and whole grains. I am also vegetarian, which makes it a little difficult as my protein is also a carb. I didn't start seeing results till I really amped up my exercise. I still have lots of weight to lose and look forward to my health improving. Happy to be your friend if you would like more support.
  • MyaPapaya75
    MyaPapaya75 Posts: 3,143 Member
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    Hi Im type 2...I manage with diet and exercise havent had to take any medicine so far...main thing my Diabetes Educator insisted was that I start by keeping Carbs under 180g daily and not really worrying about anything else for 2 weeks except adding in walking 30min daily...then as the weeks progress you start to track other things like calories,fat,sodium..etc..you may do well by seeing if your Doctor can set you up to meet with a specialist...
  • Rowann
    Rowann Posts: 86
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    I'm not diabetic, but my almost five year old son is type I, and my mum and father-in-law both have type II.

    Not wanting to start an argument, just wanting to point out that there is a difference between carb needs for a type I and a type II diabetic.

    Type I diabetics don't always have the luxury of being able to limit their intake. Their pancreas doesn't produce any insulin at all, and as such complex carbs are paramount in helping to keep their blood glucose levels more even. My son certainly has to have an amount of carbohydrate with every meal (obviously balanced with everything else needed). He is under the care of a multidisciplinary diabetic team, including a dietician (I'd expect most type I diabetics would be).

    However, my mum and father-in-law both have to be careful of having too many carbs; they both do better if they keep the numbers down.
  • tiger87lilly
    tiger87lilly Posts: 139 Member
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    I'm not diabetic, but my almost five year old son is type I, and my mum and father-in-law both have type II.

    Not wanting to start an argument, just wanting to point out that there is a difference between carb needs for a type I and a type II diabetic.

    Type I diabetics don't always have the luxury of being able to limit their intake. Their pancreas doesn't produce any insulin at all, and as such complex carbs are paramount in helping to keep their blood glucose levels more even. My son certainly has to have an amount of carbohydrate with every meal (obviously balanced with everything else needed). He is under the care of a multidisciplinary diabetic team, including a dietician (I'd expect most type I diabetics would be).

    However, my mum and father-in-law both have to be careful of having too many carbs; they both do better if they keep the numbers down.

    You completely correct in you understanding about the difference in type I & II. If someone is truly a type I they shouldb e under the care of a diabetic specialist including a nutritionist.
  • AMBlass
    AMBlass Posts: 161
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    Hey there! I'm a type 1 diabetic and I'm also a blogger and writer about everything diabetes for DiabetesMine.com. I am not going to get into the differences between type 1 and type 2 because it's not really relevant to the discussion.

    If you're a type 1 looking to lose weight, there are several places where you can get information. One of my favorite books on this topic is The Diabetes Science Experiment by Ginger Vieira. You can find out about that book at www.living-in-progress.com. You should also check out:
    - www.diabetes-exercise.org
    - www.teamwild.org/ (for women with diabetes who are athletic)
    - http://www.dlife.com/diabetes-food-and-fitness/diabetes_and_exercise
    - http://www.shericolberg.com/diabetes-news.asp (this is a website and book series by Dr. Sheri Colberg-Ochs, an exercise physiologist and author of books on exercise and diabetes)

    Hopefully this helps you get started! No one but your medical team can give you medical advice, but hopefully these get you going in the right direction. Feel free to friend me and follow my diary. Let me know if you have any questions!
  • atomiclauren
    atomiclauren Posts: 689 Member
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    Type 1 here as well -- I have had extremely slow weight loss (but still loss, so I can't complain too much :blushing: ).

    It seems like my main issues are that I'm pretty close to my goal weight now so a slower pace just comes with the turf and secondly, I think insulin resistance may play a part. I'm hoping that the fitter I become the less resistance there will be...

    If you could open up your food/exercise diary we might be able to help a little more -- also, share what types of insulin you're on, how much, your insulin/carb ratios, etc...
  • DrBorkBork
    DrBorkBork Posts: 4,099 Member
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    My diary is public if it's helpful to anyone.

    meeting with my diabetes doc later this month for checkup. I got off of glucophage at my last visit, so we'll see how my sugar is holding up to my crazy way of eating.
  • amccrazgrl
    amccrazgrl Posts: 315 Member
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    Type 1 for the last 15 years and been using the pump for the last 6 years. My current A1C at the end of April was 5.7. My diabetic dr always tells me I'm her favortie b/c I do what I'm supposed to and plan on having a long healthy life while waiting for that cure that is "10" years away.

    As fenestraria says my weight loss has been slow too, I'm only down 14lbs since Oct. The POSITIVE is my insulin sensitivy has increased so I take less insulin. Then I figure slow and steady will be no loose skin.

    Speaking of Ginger Vieria's book, when I changed gyms in Feb. I paid for phone sessions with her and had her come up with 2 compelete workout routines for my gf and I. My gf and I did modify some of it but for the most part I love everything about Ginger.

    Yes there big differences between type 1 and type 2. One thing that pisses me off is when people try to say just exercise and eat healthy and then you won't be diabetic. That might work for type 2 diabetes but there is no cure for us type 1's who NEED insulin to LIVE.
  • jenbk2
    jenbk2 Posts: 623 Member
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    I am type 1 as well. The hardest thing for me is the lows after working out and always having to eat. I am glad to see there are other diabetics having the same issues.
  • brattyworm
    brattyworm Posts: 2,137 Member
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    bump... just cause i want to go back and read the links at another time. One of my workout partners (and she's one of my bestest friends) is Type I diabetic and I like to know about it so that I can help her stay consistent.
  • johnny2274
    johnny2274 Posts: 11 Member
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    Bump
  • amccrazgrl
    amccrazgrl Posts: 315 Member
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    I am type 1 as well. The hardest thing for me is the lows after working out and always having to eat. I am glad to see there are other diabetics having the same issues.

    When are you working out?? Are you on shots or pump? If its the pump I can help you out.
    Here is my personal example of how my body works. Today for instances I woke up at 10:30 and was 80 and had egg beaters,turkey bacon and cheese. So I had no carbs to bolus for. Then I went to the gym at 1:00pm and when I came back I was 106.

    When you do anaerobic (strength) it raises your blood sugar. When you do aerobic (treadmill) it lowers it. So if you balance out your workout by starting with strength and ending with aerobic you should be fine.

    I would suggest checking you BS before you workout and make sure your at least 100 and not more than 180. When your over 180 its counterproductive to your workout b/c the glycogen in your muscles. (I can't think of how to explain it.)
  • amccrazgrl
    amccrazgrl Posts: 315 Member
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    bump... just cause i want to go back and read the links at another time. One of my workout partners (and she's one of my bestest friends) is Type I diabetic and I like to know about it so that I can help her stay consistent.

    I love the fact that your workout partner is type 1. My gf aka workout partner workouts out with me and it makes me feel a little more comfortable in case I would have a low she's there to help.

    My gf knows when I'm high or low. Everyone is different but when I'm low I get *****y and just feel blah.
  • DrBorkBork
    DrBorkBork Posts: 4,099 Member
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    bump... just cause i want to go back and read the links at another time. One of my workout partners (and she's one of my bestest friends) is Type I diabetic and I like to know about it so that I can help her stay consistent.

    Aw, major props to you for being an awesome BFF! *Hugs*
    When one of my friend's kids was little, I taught them how to test my blood sugar, LOL
  • lordyc
    lordyc Posts: 5 Member
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    Thank you all for your support and suggestions! I actually just weighed myself and lost 3 lbs this week!! It's still usually a slow loss though. I think I made my profile public but just in case...Here's what I do:

    B: 1/2 cup Oatmeal(old-fashioned) and 1/2 banana
    L: Chicken salad sandwich on wheat and 1 cup Veggie
    Snack: wheat thins, banana, or dark chocolate edamame
    D: Salad, some type of meat, and a veg
    Evening snack: Apple

    I'm currently back to no white carbs(pasta,white bread,rice,potato) and staying around 1200 calories a day. I also workout about 4 days a week at home. DVDs like Jillian michaels, biggest loser, and zumba.

    My carb ratio is 7.0 My A1C has always been high...last one was 9.0

    I will accept all constructive criticism! LOL! Thanks again!!
  • amccrazgrl
    amccrazgrl Posts: 315 Member
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    You meals look way healthier than mine.
    Congrats on your 3lbs.
    Make sure since your exercising to eat more like 1400-1600 calories so you don't have a negative deficit.

    No offense to your A1C of 9.0....but I don't understand how a lot of people have issues with it.
    Even before my pump my highest I remember was 7.2 or 7.4. Most of the time I was 6.5.
  • AMBlass
    AMBlass Posts: 161
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    I am type 1 as well. The hardest thing for me is the lows after working out and always having to eat. I am glad to see there are other diabetics having the same issues.

    I've learned not to be afraid of eating a little so that I can work out. The benefits of working out GREATLY exceed the calorie intake from a juice box. If you're on a pump, try lowering your basal rate, but otherwise, I find a small snack of 150-200 calories PERFECT in keeping my blood sugar stable. Plus, as MFP members are quick to point out, MFP basically requires you to eat back the calories you work out. I lose between 1-1.5 lbs every week, even with eating and going low occasionally at the gym. Obviously going low isn't good, so I would much rather eat a snack and get my blood pumping and strengthening my muscles. I really believe that in the long run, it won't matter if you had an extra 100 calories, your body is still going to lose weight. Especially if it's healthy carbs, like wheat bread and peanut butter, a banana, a granola bar.
  • wanderingwest
    wanderingwest Posts: 42
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    I am new here. I am also a type 1 diabetic. I use an insulin pump and I have about 20 lbs to go to reach my goal weight. I have also already lost about 20 lbs and it has taken me 2 years to do that! I would love to offer support and get some support in return. I actually haven't figured out how to "friend" someone yet though. lol I have enjoyed reading the responses to this topic. You all seem very supportive.

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