Insulin Resistance? Buddy? Motivation?

Really? No one? :sad:

Just need to have a little patience...... its a Saturday and most people are out and about. Its like 73F here where I am and Im finally getting only right now after being going all day.

I am a PCOS, IR and currently have a metabolic-related disorder that the doctors just cant diagnose.

Mind you, Im under a few specialists care with this whole low-carb direction.

I just spent a good hour dicing up fresh vegetables and roasting them in the oven (all healthy low carb choices, too!), prepped 50lb of boneless chicken breast for the chest freezer, about 60lbs of beef, another 50lbs of pork loin, pork butt and ribs, and cleaned up a HUGE fresh salmon - my freezer is chock-full of food pornage!

Ive managed to drop 60+ pounds so far since July 2011. I have another 60+ to go and Im about to start incorporating strength training/weight lifting to give myself a boost.

IR can make things difficult but with the right prescription, right diet and devotion to good meal planning, choosing the right kinds of foods all the time, and consulting with the doctors when needed, IR is completely manageable and weight will come off... we just have to work alot harder at it than most people

I have insulin resistance, too! Actually, it's one of the reasons I started my weight loss journey. Pre diabetic and all. (Found out that it's not changing, but I'm a whole lot healthier now) It would be so nice to have a friend who knows what I'm going through!

I'm working on my midsection, too (not that it's horrible, I just want it toned) What do you guys do for it? (I currently just take medicine and try to stay healthy) But I'm adding some of you guys (if that's okay), and I hope some more of you will add me! This situation is difficult to understand unless you're going through it.

Me! I was insulin resistant and 'pre-diabetic' before I lost some weight. I was up to 179 and after losing just 20 lbs, I am no longer pre-diabetic! I'm now down 29lbs with 30 more to go. I am 5ft 3 and 149lbs with a goal of 120-125. Obviously, if you look at my sn on here, i had a HUGE belly. I seriously looked pregnant and I'm 50 yrs old! Sometimes I felt like a robin with the big belly and skinny legs. I couldn't even see my feet in the shower! I can now see them but I do have some belly in the way yet. Someday I'll see over it. lol My waist is down to 32 inches but the belly below it still has a way to go yet. All I did was log my food on here and I started walking just 15 minutes on my treadmill at first, in January. I am now up to an average of 2-4 miles a day and sometimes get in 7 miles. I have tonsssss more energy, I'm happier and even hyper sometimes! I can honestly say that it wasn't that hard to lose it. You just have to get off your butt, move more and eat healthy and still have an occasional treat so you don't feel deprived. I also learned that if a piece of cauliflower doesn't sound good to eat, I really am not hungry! I will drink a glass of water instead and go do something to get my mental mind off food.
Sorry if I rambled on and on but I'm just taking a quick break between mowing the yard before some storms hit this afternoon. Add me as a friend if you'd like. I'd be more than happy to cheer you on. YOU can do this! Good luck!

I have Insulin resistance but have improved with my personal training. I am hoping to be off my meds by June or July. I would like to be a buddy with you.

Jeff

I started out at 297 and am down to 252, have had IR since I was about 18 years old. You can and will do it, it just takes a lot of hard work and patience!

What kinds of healthy snacks do you eat? What do your meals look like? I understand that I need to limit my carbs, but it is had when it seems that EVERYTHING is made of carbs!

Is there a GOOD list of low-glycemic foods somewhere? And what to eat with them to have the best results?

Also, has anyone found a good protein powder that is low carb and not full of artificial sweeteners? I would love to find a good protein powder to add to my cooking for a boost of protein, but a lot of them also have tons of carbs in them.

I work out frequently, and pretty intensely, but I don't really see much change weight wise. There are several that have begun this journey around the same time as me, and they seem to be able to drop so much so quickly without being nearly as healthy food wise or working out as much. It is rather disheartening to watch!

Honestly... for me, I dont snack. With good meal-planning and getting the right combination of foods, I have yet to want a snack at all. What does help me greatly is that Im a total water-hog. I have a 64oz plastic mug at work that I fill up twice per day. That doesnt count the water I drink in the morning at home, the water when I get out of work or right before bed.

If you stick with fresh foods, the healthy carbs will come from vegetables. Be limiting on fruits - concentrate only on the berries as they contain more fiber but have reasonable carb counts per portioned control.

There are tons of websites that have a free list of low-glycemic foods... Low Glycemic Index series of books also have a website - just load up Google and grab it there.

Protein-powder... Do ****not**** depend on it. Its great to have once in a great while - but in the end its a processed food. I use Designer Whey when I want to make a batch of "ice cream". Ill use vanilla soy milk, D.W., ice, 1 cup of mixed berries (fresh frozen) and blend it up. I put it in a sturdy freezable container and scoop out a serving when I want a frozen treat.

My Metabolic issues and Insulin Resistance for me requires that I never consume any potato, rice, pasta, corn, breads, flours, etc. I did though find a low-carb whole wheat-flax-oatmeal pita pocket by Josephs that I can limit myself one per day without having a huge food-related allergic reaction.

As far as your problems with not losing weight - Ill be honest, I will not give you any suggestions at this time because your food diary is locked up. I could suggest some thing here or there but it would not be sound without knowing what you are consuming.

People with IR really need to consider that moderation does not always apply. Ive had arguments with people who fail to realize that each person is different and unless they work in healthcare (like I do) or have a true culinary background with specific training in dietary restrictive diets (like I do), they are and will always be misinformed because of the fact everyone is different: IR is not a streamline disorder as it can vary.

I was 22 and about to be quarantined for liver failure/hepatitis - on top of the issues of PCOS and such. When they did blood work - they saw my insulin levels were three times the norm. I was about to go into insulin shock and have my liver crash. This is serious business.... Mine caused such a problem that metabolically speaking, I can no longer stomach certain foods.

Thanks to some medications, supplements (mind you, they were recommended for MY situation), good eating habits and a 100% commited willingness to comply, Ive dropped 63lbs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You really should be in touch with an Endocrinologist (if you have an HMO, you need to see your PCP first, then get referred) who has extensively worked with IR patients. And, be compliant because its a bit of a new world for patients like us.

I talk with patients every day at my job who go through the same thing that I do... they love being able to talk with someone who 'can completely relate'...

Whatever you do: do not look for shortcuts...

Also, has anyone found a good protein powder that is low carb and not full of artificial sweeteners? I would love to find a good protein powder to add to my cooking for a boost of protein, but a lot of them also have tons of carbs in them.

I forgot to add:
Get protein from their natural resources... thats seafood, chicken, turkey (HIGH Protein!!!), beef, pork, etc.... Natural is the key!

I am IR too and spent a year trying to lose weight with no success. I went lower carb, higher protein, and started to lose weight. Mfp has been an invaluable tool. Jillian Michaels has a good whey protein powder. I like to blend the chocolate with pb and ice. Pretty good treat!! I have a lot farther to go than you but I think it can be done.

snacks:
baby carrots.
Apple slices with a little bit of peanut butter on them.
A handful of peanuts with some raisins or dried fruit (i like dried cranberries).
cheese crackers with p.b. in them (I have to watch these & limit myself - only one package of 4 goes in my bag for work).
half an orange.
A scoop of flavored (right now it's cinnamon) frozen Cool Whip, <in place of a scoop of ice cream>
sliced green peppers, or sliced cucumbers with a tbsp of diet ranch dressing for dip.
and... Always..
Sugar free jello!! <buy stock in it>

snacks:
baby carrots.
Apple slices with a little bit of peanut butter on them.
A handful of peanuts with some raisins or dried fruit (i like dried cranberries).
cheese crackers with p.b. in them (I have to watch these & limit myself - only one package of 4 goes in my bag for work).
half an orange.
A scoop of flavored (right now it's cinnamon) frozen Cool Whip, <in place of a scoop of ice cream>
sliced green peppers, or sliced cucumbers with a tbsp of diet ranch dressing for dip.
and... Always..
Sugar free jello!! <buy stock in it>

For low-carb, I dont mean to be a kill-joy but:
Apple slices would have to be an extreme limitation - half the traditional serving.
Raisins are a medium-to-high glycemic index type food and would not be a good option. the dried fruits are just as bad.
Cool whip often is made with fructose/HFCS... some people are sensitive
Diet-dressings tend to contain added sugars and chemical where they have removed the fats
Sugar-free gellatin contains artificial sweetners which causes more problems for people with IR.

Sugar-free gellatin contains artificial sweetners which causes more problems for people with IR.

What kinds of problems do artificial sweeteners cause for IR persons? This is a suggestion that my dr recommended as an alternative to the regular stuff, and I have been working toward getting accustomed to the 'fake' taste.

This is for everyone: Speaking on the Oralmaxillofacial side of medicine, it significantly softens the enamel of your teeth that if you brush your teeth, you will brush away your enamel and it will cause significant teeth erosion... Enamel is necessary to protect your teeth.

For the IR side - there are complicated/pros and cons to artificial sweetners - http://www.livestrong.com/article/477679-insulin-weight-gain-and-artificial-sweeteners/

http://www.livestrong.com/article/517722-can-artificial-sweeteners-stimulate-high-insulin-levels/

I was diagnosed about 6 months ago with IR. It has been a very strict diet since then as I don't want to go over the line into diabetes. I limit my carbs to 75 net no matter what I eat for calories. So if I do eat a few exercise calories (which I almost never do) none of those would be high carb.

I no longer eat breads for the most part and my fruit is limited to melons, berries and papaya (the lowest carb fruits). Potatoes and some other starchy veggies are out (corn and field peas) as are many grains. I do occasionally have whole grains like barley or oats but no wheat or rice.

It's not impossible to maintain and I have had great results on the scale, in my blood work and just by not feeling crappy all the time.

Good luck on your journey. If you have questions you can drop me a message and I'll gladly try to help.